Why the Sherlock Holmes pub in London is it that far from the famous detective's home address, you might ask?
The answer is simple.
Charing Cross, where the pub is located, is very close to some of the settings and places described in more than one of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's books.
Today, we're going to take a look at this establishment.
Sherlock Holmes advert in London: article summary
History of the Sherlock Holmes pub in London
The building itself is historically recorded as having been built in 1736. It was a small establishment that later became a hotel.
Its original name was the Northumberland Hotel. It is most likely the hotel featured in the 1901 Sherlock Holmes novel The Hound of the Baskervilles.
Originally renovated and opened in 1957 by Whitbread and Co., the Sherlock Holmes Pub is currently managed by by English pub giant Greene King.
Thanks to its proximity to Charing Cross station, you can easily imagine Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson rushing to catch a train to the English countryside to solve another crime together.
Discover Sherlock Holmes' bedroom
Before reopening the pub, Whitbread had managed to get his hands on an entire display of Sherlock Holmes memorabilia that had is part of the Festival of Britain, held across the country throughout 1951.
Whitbread was thus able to create a historical reconstruction of the fictional detective's living room and study.
In 1957, it was the largest and most successful the world's largest collection of Sherlock Holmes memorabilia.
This room, filled with Victorian-themed originals, remains unchanged to this day.
Sherlock Holmes ad in London: attention to detail
In London's Sherlock Holmes Pub and Hotel Restaurant, you'll find additional items and artifacts alluding to the adventures of Holmes and Watson.
You'll find :
- Swords
- Watson's revolver
- Cartoons and caricatures
- Holmes' Stradivarius violin
- The stuffed head of the Hound of the Baskervilles.
The walls are adorned with framed photos, portraits, movie stills and photographs of all the actors who have played Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson over the years.
In its current modern form, the Sherlock Pub welcomes guests from all over the world. It's one of the most popular pubs in central London.
On-site events
On Friday evenings, the pub can be very busy with tourists and local employees staying on site.
There are always people taking photos under the Iconic pub sign outside and in front of the various rooms scattered throughout the interior.
The rooftop terrace is usually only open in summer or on busy evenings, but the outdoor tables on the street side remain open even in winter.
The pub is always hosting themed evenings and events, and there's always something going on. always something fun at the Sherlock Holmes pub to entertain tourists and regulars alike.
How do I get to the Sherlock Holmes pub in London?
The pub is within easy reach of from anywhere in central London. Just follow the directional instructions on your phone.
Getting there by metro
The easiest way to find the Sherlock Holmes pub is to take the Villiers Street exit from the following stations metro Charing Cross or Embankment.
You can then walk down from Charing Cross or climb up from Embankment until you see the arches which under Charing Cross station.
Cross the arches over Craven Street and continue along Craven Passage until you reach the pub on the corner of Northumberland Street.
Use the bus service
A number of London Transport buses run to and from Charing Cross or Trafalgar Square. Simply go down to these destinations until you reach Northumberland Street.
What are the opening hours?
You can visit us on site:
- Sunday to Wednesday 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.
- Thursday to Saturday 11 a.m. to midnight
The Sherlock Holmes pub in London is a must-see at least once in your life, especially if you're an avid reader of his adventures.