Dickens' favourite Cheese / myLot

London, England

April 14, 2016 9:38am CST

Said to be Charles Dickens' favourite pub Ye olde Cheshire Cheese just off Fleet St. An Inn stood here from the 13th century, owned by a Carmelite monastery, with the first pub built on the site being the Horn Tavern in 1538. It was destroyed by the Great Fire of 1666, being rebuilt in 1667 and given the name we know today. A warren of small bars, mostly panelled in atmospheric Victorian dark wood with same parts having limited headroom. I sat in Dickens' favourite spot by the fire where he wrote as a young journalist and later author. As have other great authors, who have supped a pint here, such as Mark Twain and Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. In a tale of Two Cities, this is thought to be pub that Sidney Carton takes Charles Darnay for a meal and wine. One feature you do not see so much these days is the sawdust sprinkled on the floor, but here you do. There are some more pictures on Flickr https://www.flickr.com/photos/136389881@N07/25823250933/in/album-72157664840047234/

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12 responses

John Roberts

@JohnRoberts (109841)

• Los Angeles, California

14 Apr 16

We have nothing like this in the US. To sit in a place where likes of a Dickens once also imbibed.

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Scott Ganschow

@teamfreak16 (43611)

• Denver, Colorado

14 Apr 16

There is a bar in Downtown Denver that Jack Kerouac used to hang out at. I have yet to make it in there for some reason.

3 people like this

Ron Rybs

@Ronrybs (21497)

• London, England

14 Apr 16

I shall try to visit them all, but not in one day!

2 people like this

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josefina

@josie_ (10033)

• Philippines

14 Apr 16

That must have been an awesome experience, to be seating on the very same spot (chair?) that Dickens sat on

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Ron Rybs

@Ronrybs (21497)

• London, England

14 Apr 16

I didn't know at the time, I found out later on

2 people like this

josefina

@josie_ (10033)

• Philippines

14 Apr 16

@Ronrybs _Dickens is one of my favorite author and I would have been awed by the privileged to have been allowed to seat on a chair he sat on. But being the skeptic I am, I have to wonder if it's part of the tourist package deal

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Ron Rybs

@Ronrybs (21497)

• London, England

14 Apr 16

@josie_ It is a short bench seat, but right next to the fire. I only sat there because I it was too hot in the rest of the room! It is easy enough to visit the Cheshire Cheese, right in the heart of the City

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Belle Starr (Iz)

@BelleStarr (61463)

• United States

14 Apr 16

I really am jealous. I believe I may have visited there years ago but it has been a while since I went into the Fleet St area. I did visit Charles Dickens House on my last visit however!! Lucky you to be in London.

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Belle Starr (Iz)

@BelleStarr (61463)

• United States

15 Apr 16

@Ronrybs It is worth it, they did a renovation with in the last few years and it was very interesting. I found his relationship with his sister-in-law interesting!!

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Ron Rybs

@Ronrybs (21497)

• London, England

14 Apr 16

I keep meaning to, but so far I have not visited his house. Really must get around to that

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Ron Rybs

@Ronrybs (21497)

• London, England

15 Apr 16

@BelleStarr I do need to go and from there I can get to Cleveland St where he used to live as a child

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Claudia Kirkland

@CRK109 (14556)

• United States

14 Apr 16

Wow, it's so rich in history! How I'd love to go in there and just soak up the atmosphere. :)

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Claudia Kirkland

@CRK109 (14556)

• United States

14 Apr 16

@Ronrybs It's wonderful seeing them through your eyes. One of these days, when the stress of moving is over, I'll begin traveling around my area again and I can show all of you around! :)

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Ron Rybs

@Ronrybs (21497)

• London, England

15 Apr 16

@CRK109 I dare say that is bit bigger! Better have spare batteries for the camera

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Ron Rybs

@Ronrybs (21497)

• London, England

14 Apr 16

There are many places to visit and just enjoy the atmosphere and a sense of the past. I've made a small dent in how many I want to visit

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Vincent Summers

@KuznVinny (768)

• United States

17 Apr 16

Dickens has been one of my favorite (favourite?) authors from my youth. I just can't seem to get enough of him. Well, there ARE exceptions. Oliver Twist is not my favorite. Neither is A Tale of Two Cities.

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Ron Rybs

@Ronrybs (21497)

• London, England

18 Apr 16

I've not read either of those two. And I have to be honest, Dickens isn't my favourite I am more of HG Wells and Vernes person

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Vincent Summers

@KuznVinny (768)

• United States

18 Apr 16

@Ronrybs I enjoy Verne, too! Master of the World is a particular favorite. The movie with Vincent Price is phenomenal. Even Charles Bronson is in that gem -- oddly, as a totally good guy!