Largely due to its location – down a barely marked alley between Hatton Garden’s jewellers and Ely Place – this little traditional pub, the foundation of which dates to 1546, is a favourite of ‘secret London’ lists.
There’s always a good range of ales on offer at the tiny central bar, but people come for the atmosphere: lots of cosy dark wood and some overlooked curiosities, such as the tree in the front bar. It’s a cherry tree that Good Queen Bess is said to have danced around, but now supports a corner of the bar.