Anniversary party for London’s oldest small pub

London’s financiers, who have been frequenting The Bell pub in the heart of the City since before the Great Fire of London, are among those being invited to a celebratory party this month, as its current publicans mark 10 years at the tiny watering hole.

Owned by Enterprise Inns and run by Red Car Pubs, The Bell on Bush Lane is London’s oldest small pub, and is proudly traditional. While modern pubs and bars have sprung up all around it, a long line of licensees at The Bell, which miraculously survived the Great Fire of London in 1666, have been steadfast in their determination to maintain its history. Its traditional appearance is now certainly the charm of the miniature pub which seats no more than 16 people at once.

Tony Barry of Red Car Pubs said: “Our pub is dying breed in the City of London. It’s a very historic old boozer with olde worlde ceilings and we’ve got a role of honour on the wall which records every landlord since 1672. It’s a small place so in the winter it’s really cosy next to the open fire and in the summer our customers take over the street outside. We have lots of regulars, so we’re hoping they’ll come along and celebrate with us.”

Tony took over the lease in 2004, so for one night only – Thursday 26th June – all ales will be sold at 2004 prices. In addition, a free buffet will be available for guests who arrive while it lasts, and they’ll be invited to take part in a charity raffle with prizes including a Peruvian lunch for two in the upstairs bar, cooked by Linda, the pub’s Peruvian landlady.

The Bell offers a range of real ales and other quality drinks and serves fresh food prepared daily on site, made using ingredients from the nearby Borough Market, Smithfield Market and Neil’s Yard.

Enterprise Regional Manager Paul Taplin said: “The Bell is a fantastic little pub which is a shining example of how great British pubs can be – it’s all about great food, great drinks and a community feel. That’s why the team are on first-name terms with so many of their customers.”