Discover the history that lies on the doorstep of your local.
Warmer weather and blue skies are always an encouraging sign to get out of the house and explore some of the fascinating things around us.
Some of our bigger cities, from London up to Liverpool, were home to some of the most well-known names in history. If we took ourselves back a few years, we could have been sharing a pew with John Lennon.
This guide will reveal some of the most famous pubs to revel in history. They're all within a short walking distance from their local stations, so you can leave your worries at home and explore the historical hotspots on our line.
Pubs in London
There’s history around every corner in the capital and it’s really no surprise when you think of all the famous faces, cases, and places that have been around.
The George Inn
- Walking distance from London Bridge Underground: 4 mins
The George Inn is one of the most atmospheric and oldest pubs serving drinks for centuries and yet to throw in the towel. One of the most historic artefacts you’ll find is Charles Dickens’s life insurance policy which hangs proudly on one of the walls. Those travellers into their authors and playwrights should also know that Dickens himself, amongst William Shakespeare, was said to have frequented the inn.
The Ten Bells
- Walking distance from Liverpool Street Underground: 7 mins
Infamous and chillingly cruel, Jack the Ripper is a name that makes everyone shudder. Around in 1888, his name became synonymous with his callous crimes against women in the Spitalfields and Whitechapel area. Heading on a short walk from Liverpool Street underground station, you’ll come to The Ten Bells, a regular haunt for the Ripper himself and still on the infamous Ripper tours of London .
The Spaniards Inn
- Walking distance from Golders Green Underground: 23 mins
The final London pub to tap into is The Spaniards Inn. One you’re likely to hear about in literature including Dracula and The Pickwick Papers, it was also famous amongst highwaymen such as Dick Turpin. Known for being a charming and characterful pub, its crooked beams, leaning walls and wonky doorways tell their own story.
Pubs in Birmingham
As the second largest city in the UK and the staple of the West Midlands, Birmingham is also a hub of history, recreation, and culture.
The Old Joint Stock
- Walking distance from Birmingham New Street Station: 5 mins
The first stop on our Birmingham guide is The Old Joint Stock. Famous for its creative showcases of local comedians and musicians, for years it has been a bustling stop and fixture in the city centre. Heading into the old Victorian bank building, you’ll find it homes not only a theatre for creatives but also a theatrical island bar below a glass-domed roof.
The Old Crown
- Walking distance from Birmingham New Street Station: 14 mins
The Old Crown dates all the way back to 1368 with most of the pub you see today constructed in the early 16th century. With its Tudor aesthetics and historical vibe, it lives up to the traditional name as the city’s oldest secular structure.
Pubs in Liverpool
The home of ports and poets (of all kinds!), Liverpool is a unique city to visit and once you do, it’s certainly a ‘Love it’ on the list. As a haven of Beatles memories, you can explore the history behind what made them the fixture in pop culture that they are.
The Cavern Club
- Walking distance from Liverpool Lime Street Station: 9 mins
Performing in the club 292 times to people who travelled from all over the world, The Cavern Club—originally opening in 1957 as a jazz club— is one of the biggest staples in music history. Not only did it see the rise of The Beatles, the club with its unique smell, dance and vibe has seen most of the world’s biggest stars take to the stage.
Ye Cracke
- Walking distance from Liverpool Lime Street Station: 15 mins
Looking into another side of Liverpool’s history, Ye Cracke— an early 19th-century pub just tucked away on a side-street— is another hidden gem of charm and character. The ‘war room’ is the oldest part of the pub and got its name due to the men returning from the Boer War being sent there if they wanted to discuss the conflict without boring other customers. But, of course it still has its link to the Beatles with a plaque dedicated to John Lennon and his first band.
The Round...up
With so many historical and quite frankly legendary stories, towns and cities across our network there is a huge opportunity to explore all the wonders of our cities. The ease of train travel is what makes London Northwestern Railway a great option to take in the sights, scenery and secrets of our cities.
With all this in mind, why not start your historic pub crawl by grabbing some cheap train tickets so you can pay less, and do more!