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Princess Louise

208 High Holborn
Holborn
London
WC1V 7EP

• (020) 7405 8816

Opening Times

Meal Times

12 - 2.30, 6 - 8.30
12 - 2.30 Fri
closed Sat & Sun

Owner

Samuel Smith

About the Pub

A splendidly preserved pub displaying some of the finest examples of the Victorian art of public house building. Built in 1872 the interior includes marble, etched windows, enormous engraved and gilt mirrors, Portland stone columns, an ornate crimson and gold ceiling and a huge central island bar. The gent’s loos are worth a visit for more than the usual reason. Large function room upstairs available for hire and is also where food is served, Mon - Sat 12.00 - 14.30 and Mon - Thu 18.00 - 20.30. Beer is especially good value for London. During 2007 the pub went through a comprehensive restoration which saw the reinstatement of the original multi-roomed layout with wood and etched glass dividing walls. This has completely changed its appearance and Sam Smith’s are to be commended for their attention to detail. A CAMRA Heritage Pub and winner of Refurbished Pub of the Year, 2008.

Historic Interest

Grade II listing:- Public house. Mid C19. Interior 1891 by William B Simpson and Sons who contracted out the work. Yellow brick with stone and terracotta dressings. EXTERIOR: 4 storeys 4 windows. Double-fronted public house ground floor facade of red granite columns and pilasters (with masks on the capitals), carrying entablature flanked by modified consoles. Central bow window with arched and lozenge lights flanked by wide entrances. Recessed sash windows with moulded stone heads, enriched impost bands, bracketed sills with cast-iron window guards to 2nd and 3rd floors. Entablature with dentil cornice and rosettes in frieze. Parapet. INTERIOR: good interior with decorative, polychrome tile work, gold embossed glass by R Morris & Son, stained glass and original mahogany bar fittings by WH Lascelles and Co. In centre of bar, 4 cast-iron Corinthian columns carrying patterned ceiling with moulded cornice and polychrome tile frieze decorated with urns and swags. Staircase with elaborate wrought-iron balustrade between ground and 1st floor. 1st floor bar with good fittings and Art Nouveau dado. Interesting contemporary gents WC in basement with marble urinals and retaining some tiled walls and fittings. Included II* as a rich example of a Victorian public house interior.

Regular cask ales

This pub serves 1 regular beer.

• Samuel Smith Old Brewery Bitter

Updated on 14/07/2020
Last surveyed on 08/12/2014
Branch responsible is North London

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