Great Pubs of London (Updated edition) by George Dailey is a beautifully illustrated book published by Prestel which showcases the best pubs in the capital, many gems I have never heard from and that I will visit soon. For centuries the pub has been an essential part of London’s cultural and social fabric. This beautifully illustrated book takes readers through the doors of 22 historically and architecturally significant London pubs. It is an ideal Father Day’s gift presented in an expensive looking hardcover.
Through gorgeous photographs Charlie Dailey specially commissioned for this project, readers can explore these institutions — from smugglers to poets, from 400-hundred-year-old flagstone floors to etched glass and polished brass. The stories told are engaging and highlight what makes each pub so special: things I have always wanted to know like their place in London’s history, the personalities who have frequented them, the events that occurred inside, and the ways pubs have contributed phrases such as “on the wagon” and “one for the road” to the modern lexicon.
Image copyright CHARLIE DAILEYWhat I also love about this book is the foreword by Sir Ian McKellen which features his very own pub – The Grapes.
The Nags Head pub – Belgravia, London – Image copyright CHARLIE DAILEY
Image copyright CHARLIE DAILEY
Image copyright CHARLIE DAILEY
