If you’ve an avid Secret London follower, your list of must-visit pubs is probably already pretty lengthy by now. But if you do happen to have space to squeeze just one more entry onto that rather sizeable list of yours, we have a truly stellar addition for you.
Perched on the pebbly banks of the River Thames is a lovely Limehouse locale, owned by none other than Sir Ian McKellen. Admittedly, in comparison to Gandalf himself, the pub is relatively young – but having been quenching the thirst of Londoners for over 500 years, The Grapes boasts a fairly fascinating history, and more character than you can shake a stick Gandalf’s staff at.
The history of The Grapes
Whilst the current building only dates back to the 1720s, the land on which The Grapes sits has been home to a pub since 1583 – making it one of the oldest boozers in London. Like pretty much every other historic pub in the capital, Charles Dickens was said to have been a regular at The Grapes. And it’s apparently this very spot that’s being described in the opening paragraph of Our Mutual Friend. Other notable names said to have whet their whistle at The Grapes over the years include writer, Samuel Pepys, and statesman, Sir Walter Raleigh.
The history of The Grapes, however, certainly isn’t all celebrity sightings and merriment. Originally named The Bunch of Grapes, this waterside watering hole also boasts some slightly more sinister stories. The Grapes is supposedly the spot at which unsavoury watermen would make themselves a bit of extra cash. There was a time when corpses were considered valuable currency, and so longshoremen would reportedly drag drunk patrons from The Grapes to the river, and drown them in order to sell the bodies. What a delightful thought…
Credit: @lundonlens via IG
The Grapes nowadays
The Grapes continues to be beloved among locals and visitors alike. Its literary links to Dickens can be spotted throughout the pub, with memorabilia scattered around, and what is essentially a Dickens shrine in the back parlour. It feels like a truly authentic British boozer, with plenty to look at whilst you’re there.
With a terrace out the back (complete with a view of a very cool Anthony Gormley sculpture, semi-submerged in the river to look as though it’s walking on water), a cosy upstairs area, and a decent food and drinks offering; The Grapes is well worth a visit, in our humble opinion.
📍 76 Narrow Street, E14 8BP.