In praise of…Ye Olde Mitre

There are some wonderful pubs in London, many with histories stretching back several hundred years. One of these is Ye Olde Mitre, which was built in 1546 – during the reign of Henry VIII. There’s supposedly a more direct regal connection, as a youthful Queen Elizabeth I is said to have danced around the cherry tree growing by the side of the bar (one too many Bulmers maybe). In a city full of fake tourist tat, Ye Olde Mitre is a genuine article – hidden away down a narrow backstreet off Hatton Gardens, just by the roundabout of Holborn Circus.

As you approach down the short narrow alley, there’s an oasis of hanging baskets above the shady entrance, with large barrels for the alfresco drinkers to rest against. A small lounge at the front is complemented by a larger bar at the rear, with a couple of outdoor drinking corridors for the overspill. The afternoon I was there, quiet London chatter was the only sound filtering through the central serving area. As soon as you peer through the door it feels like a proper pub – the layout is similar to the West Riding style of some older Yorkshire alehouses. Wood panels and brass fittings are throughout, with old sepia photos of Holborn on the walls.

As for the beer, Ye Olde Mitre was the ‘Cask Beer Pub of the Year’ at the 2008 British Pub Awards, so you know there’s going to be a good pint or two to be had. As fate would have it, the day I was there they were in the midst of their (5th annual) Scottish beer festival – on cask they had Caley’s Deuchars IPA, Houston’s Warlock Stout, and the recently-crowned Champion Beer of Scotland for 2009, Sinclair Orkney Raven Ale. Coming down from Edinburgh, it was nice to see these beers served elsewhere, but I settled for a more local pint of Fullers Discovery. A hoppy golden ale, it’s one of the most refreshing Fullers’ beers. Served chilled (to compete with the lagers), it was a perfect choice for a hot afternoon wandering around the capital – as was Ye Olde Mitre.

Ye Olde Mitre, 1 Ely Court, London EC1N 6SJ
Tel. 0207 405 4751
Monday – Friday 11am – 11pm
Saturday & Sunday – closed (one of the only downsides)