The Princess Louise (208 High Holborn, Holborn, London WC1V 7BW) - Without a doubt, The Princess Louise is a fine example of a Victorian pub complete with snugs and neatly etched partitions. Now a Samuel Smith's pub it's a little off the standard tourist trail of London which means there's some real people doing real things.
The Chandos (29 St. Martins Lane, Trafalgar Square, London, WC2N 4ER) - Elsewhere an ordinary pub, but The Chandos offers an excellent range of Samuel Smith's beers at, by London standards, affordable prices. After The National Gallery or The National Portrait Gallery stop in at The Chandos for a most refreshing pint and a rest for your weary feet.
Ye Old Cheshire Cheese (Wine Office Court, 145 Fleet Street, City of London, London EC4A 2BU) - Probably one of the most famous London pubs, Ye Old Cheshire Cheese was rebuilt in 1667 after the Great Fire of London and has operated as a pub ever since. A maze of rooms on several floors, Ye Old Cheshire Cheese was frequented by Samuel Johnson (whose house is nearby) and other literatti of bygone ages Ye Old Cheshire Cheese is now run by Samuel Smith's and offers an fine range of good quality beers and decent food.
The Bricklayers Arms (31 Gresse Street, Fitzrovia, London, W1T 1QS) - Nestled away down a back street in spitting distance of Oxford Street, The Bricklayers Arms is an intimate little affair downstairs with a larger bar upstairs. Does a fine selection of Samuel Smith's beers at the usual Samuel Smith's prices. An excellent get away in a older building.
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Mark Sukhija is a travel and wine blogger, photographer, tourism researcher, hat-touting, white-shirt-wearing, New Zealand fantatic and eclipse chaser. Aside from at least annual visits to New Zealand, Mark has seen eclipses in South Australia (2002), Libya (2006), China (2009) and Queensland (2012). After twelve years in Switzerland, Mark moved back to London in 2012. You can follow Mark on Twitter or Facebook