Seven Stars, London

One of London's Real Heritage Pubs and Grade II listed, dating from at least 1602 and claimed by some to be the oldest surviving pub in London. Formerly known as the League of Seven Stars after the seven provinces of the Netherlands; amongst its first customers were Dutch sailors who had settled in the area. Shakespeare performances took place nearby in Middle Temple and the playwright himself may even have drunk here. Later on, the novelist Charles Dickens is thought to have used the pub as a model for The Magpie & Stump featured in Pickwick Papers.

Nowadays the bar, with its decorative Victorian bar-back, is located in the narrow central space between two other distinctive drinking areas. There are several impressive brewery mirrors and others advertising various drinks. The pub is popular with the legal profession and the snug drinking area on the left is known as the Wig Box.

The pub is run by the redoubtable Roxy Beaujolais - the Alewife For the Ages, as a pub critic has called her. The very well regarded food is a result of her management. The pub's own website contains much greater details on the pub's history and Roxy's.

The interior features classic film posters and caricatures with a legal theme. Its beer range includes guest beers from smaller brewers. The comforting gastro-fare menu changes daily and will satisfy meat-eaters and vegetarians alike. Note that toilets are only accessible via steep stairs, a relic of the old Elizabethan house the inn once was.

Another feature of the pub is the resident pub cat. Tom Paine resided at the pub until 2012. There is a picture of him on the wall and a poem dedicated to him. He was followed by 'Ray Brown' then 'Peabody'. The new cat was called 'Clement Attlee' but during the Covid shutdown he was taken home by one of the bar staff and now lives with them. A new cat has settled in named 'General' and appears to have no problem wearing the Ruffle and loves wandering round visiting the customers.