Drink at the Cock Tavern

A Grade II listed Victorian pub, the Cock Tavern on Fleet Street was built in 1887 to replace a notorious 17th century inn frequented by famous Londoners Samuel Pepys, Alfred Tennyson and Charles Dickens across the road.


We are told that a disembodied head is said to have haunted the original pub, belonging to the Irish poet, physician and writer, Oliver Goldsmith, who was buried at Temple Church which is located nearby. It seems about as unlikely that he would have transferred to the new premises as it does that ghosts actually exist, but nevertheless it is a good story.

Your author has a special interest in the pub as this evening the latest in his regular Talking to Strangers events, which encourage you and other Londoners to have interesting conversations, takes place in a room upstairs for £3.

For more on Talking to Strangers - to which you are formally invited - click here, or for more on the pub see http://www.taylor-walker.co.uk/pub-food/ye-olde-cock-tavern-holborn/pid-C1188

_{^Picture © Christopher Hilton used under a Creative Commons license^}

Admire the Daily Express Building

A jewel of Fleet Street, the Daily Express Building was constructed in 1932 as the premises for the Daily Express. Though the Express has since moved on, the building is celebrated as one of London's most important art-deco icons.


Known for its stark frontage in black vitrolite, the foyer is apparently very beautiful and handsomely restored to its 1930s glory. Your author has only ever been to the outside but there is good news, as the foyer is open the upcoming London Open House weekend. In the meantime, it looks smashing from the outside.

For more information, click here.