Hoping that it would aid sales of its famous antacid much in the way that the Shell Guides had done for oil and petrol 40 years earlier Alka-Seltzer manufacturer Miles Laboratories issued a series of regional pub guides in the mid-1970s. Among them was the Alka-Seltzer Guide to the Pubs of London, a 128-page time capsule from the days when pubs served the likes of Watney's Red Barrel and Whitbread Tankard, had a selection of sherries on draught, and in many cases offered little more than toasted sandwiches and hot pies for lunch.
It's books like this that show how much pubs have changed in a very short space of time, and while several of those listed have since closed down, plenty more, I am happy to stay, are still doing well. Among them is the Blackfriar, the Grade II* listed Arts & Craft decorated pub opposite Blackfriars station, and the nearby Samuel Pepys, a pub that I hadn't been aware of until picking up a copy of the guide in a charity shop.
Overlooking the River Thames, The Samuel Pepys was opened in 1968 at Brooks Wharf, a former bonded warehouse that held everything from tea, fruit and wine, to wool and furs. Designed to reflect the personal and professional aspects of Pepys's life, the downstairs Chandler's Bar was decorated to reflect his time as secretary of the Admiralty, while the upstairs restaurant reflected his life as a romantic with the tables set in curtained alcoves, inspired by fourposter beds.
Denne historien er fra November 2022-utgaven av Best of British.
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Denne historien er fra November 2022-utgaven av Best of British.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
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Animal Magic
Hilary Middleton recalls a children's author whose tales are still enjoyed today
BACK IN TIME WITH COLIN BAKER
BoB's very own Time Lord prepares for an alternative to panto, recalls his early reading choices and having his scenes cut from two cutting edge comedies
Marvels in Miniature
Claire Saul learns about the exquisite works on display at a new exhibition being held at a historic Georgian mansion
The Last Post
Michael Foley witnessed the end of an era
The Box of Delights
Chris Hallam remembers how his Christmas 40 years ago was lit up by a magical television drama
The Queen of Stage and Screen
Chris Hallam pays tribute to actress Dame Maggie Smith
Other 07
Jonathan Sothcott looks at the seven Sir Roger Moore films that you should have in your collection
In the Best Possible Taste
Derek Lamb remembers the wireless wizardry of Kenny Everett
POSTCARD FROM BUCKINGHAMSHIRE
Bob Barton remembers a ghostly train journey, enjoys some wassailing and fulfils a long-held ambition of attending a lawnmower festival
MERCY MISSION
John Greeves recounts the remarkable exploits of Sunderland flying boat T9114
