Ye Olde Mitre

Steeped in history, Ye Olde Mitre is not the easiest to find. It's tucked down an alley in Holborn, but its relative seclusion from the rest of the busy area and its focus on traditional pub-keeping make it well worth the visit.

Ye Olde Mitre was built nearly half a millennium ago for servants of the Bishops of Ely in an area that today provides easy access to sights such as St. Paul's Cathedral, the British Museum and the River Thames. That's not to say the pub is a tourist hub, however. It's great for after-work drinks and socialising in a less rowdy atmosphere than some of the more beleaguered ale houses around town, as well as providing a safe haven for those seeking the traditional, no-frills pub experience done well.

The seven ales on tap at this Fuller's establishment include guest spots from brewers around the country, and there are often wooden cask beers available in small batches as part of the Beers from the Wood initiative. Make sure to check their website to see what's coming up next on the beer lineup.

The food menu deserves special mention as well, with the pub priding itself on not serving good ole chips. Instead, the talented chef specialises in toasties that have this writer salivating, as well as bar snacks such as pork pies and sausage rolls.

Oh, and though the snug pub doesn't really lend itself to wild dancing today, it's worth mentioning that once upon a time, Queen Elizabeth I danced around the cherry tree in the courtyard, so there's really no telling where the night takes you.