Ye Olde Cock Tavern
Ye Olde Cock Tavern, originally known as Ye Cock and Bottle, dates back to 1549 and has the narrowest frontage of any pub in London.It was originally on the North side of Fleet Street, but has been on its existing site since 1887 and was the preferred wateringhole of famous historic figures such as Samuel Pepys, Charles Dickins and Dr Johnson. The pub closed briefly in 1665 because of The Great Plague but reopened in 1668 as Ye Olde Cock Tavern and has traded as an 'ale house' ever since.
The pub's first famous resident was the diarist Samuel Pepys (1663-1703) who mentioned in one of his works how he arrived at Ye Olde Cock Tavern by boat and dined on beer and lobster. Samuel Johnson (1709-1784) who wrote the first English dictionary and Oliver Goldsmith (1730-1774) poet, playwright and novelist were also both guests in the18th century and their friendship was said to have blossomed over an ale or two at the pub.
Other famous faces that have drank in the pub include Charles Dickens (1812-1870) and Alfred, Lord Tennyson (1809-1892). Tennyson's work 'Will Waterproofs Lyrical Monologue' includes the following verse;
To which I most resort
How goes the time? 'Tis five o'clock
Go fetch a pint of port."
Despite the seeing two World Wars and several fires, the most recent in 1990, many of the original features at Ye Olde Cock Tavern survive at the pub. The features include the ornate Cock above the front door carved by Grindling Gibbons, the flagstone floor in the entrance and the fireplace and hearth on the first floor.
There is a ghost that is said to haunt the pub too. In 1984 'Goldsmith's ghost' appeared in the pub and caused a small panic which resulted in a team player leaving work one night and never returning.
The pub is situated in front of Temple Church which shot to fame in the book and film 'The Da Vinci Code'. Some of the film was shot on location in Fleet Street and the church itself was used in the film. Whilst filming, some of the cast and crew used the pub for refreshments including Tom Hanks and Ron Howard.
Due to the pubs location opposite The High Courts several celebrities drop in to toast their success or drown their sorrows. 2010 has brought in Ivana Trump, Pete Docherty and Robert Powell. And in 2010 rock icons Kings of Leon came in for an American ex pats Halloween party. The Sports Journalists Association regularly meet here and guests have included Martin Johnson, Ossie Ardiles, Roger Black, Rebecca Adlington and TV presenters John Inverdale and Claire Balding.
