Top 5 Pubs in London

With cheap flights to London, readily available, it’s easier and more affordable than ever for travelers to take advantage of low airfares and air/accommodations packages. Once you’re there, no trip to London is complete without visiting its famed pubs for lunch, dinner and a pint or two.

• One of the most beautiful pubs in London is The Salisbury, a true treasure house of Victorian design, from its etched glass and gleaming mahogany walls to its elegant light fixtures. The Salisbury is conveniently located near Leicester Square, and appeals to tourists as well as locals because of its friendly atmosphere and tasty, reasonably-priced pub lunches.

• Another truly classy pub in the heart of London’s theatre district is the Lamb and Flag, located between Garrick Street and the former Covent Garden Market. The Lamb and Flag is a favorite for those attending performances at the nearby Royal Opera House, so be prepared for crowds after the opera. With a traditional tavern-like atmosphere featuring low ceilings and walls covered with caricatures, the Lamb is also prized for the hearty meals it serves.

• Originally built in 1585, the Spaniards Inn is one of the oldest pubs in London. Located right outside metropolitan London near the edge of Hampstead Heath, The Spaniards Inn has been featured in a great many classic works of literature, including Dickens’ “Pickwick Papers.” The Spaniards Inn is also famous for its picturesque country garden, complete with benches and tables.

• Ye Olde Cheshire Cheese has remained one of the most thriving pubs in London since 1666. Literary giants such as Mark Twain, Charles Dickens and Sir Arthur Conan Doyle were regular inhabitants, and history buffs will enjoy eating traditional pub fare within the antique wood paneled walls.

• The Bell has been located on Bush Lane near the business district of London since 1666, and is the perfect example of a thriving city pub, with hearty sandwiches for lunch and a wide variety of popular ales. It tends to get crowded because of its small size, but The Bell is worth visiting because of its historical importance as one of the last surviving pubs in this area of London.

Cheap flights to London are available throughout the year, so anytime is a good time to hop on a plane and have a true Londoner’s experience by spending an evening in one of these historic pubs.