Seven Stars

(formerly Log & Seven Stars)

53-54 Carey Street
Aldwych
London
WC2A 2JB

• (020) 7242 8521
• thesevenstars1602.co.uk

Opening Times

Meal Times

12 - 9.30
1 - 9.30 Sat & Sun

Owner

Fuller's

About the Pub

One of London's Real Heritage Pubs and Grade II listed, dating from at least 1602 and claimed by some to be the oldest surviving pub in London. Formerly known as the League of Seven Stars after the seven provinces of the Netherlands; amongst its first customers were Dutch sailors who had settled in the area. Shakespeare performances took place nearby in Middle Temple and the playwright himself may even have drunk here. Later on, the novelist Charles Dickens is thought to have used the pub as a model for The Magpie & Stump featured in Pickwick Papers. Nowadays the bar, with its decorative Victorian bar-back, is located in the narrow central space between two other distinctive drinking areas. There are several impressive brewery mirrors and others advertising various drinks. The pub is popular with the legal profession and the snug drinking area on the left is known as the Wig Box. The interior features classic film posters and caricatures with a legal theme. Its beer range includes guest beers from smaller brewers. The comforting gastro-fare menu changes daily and will satisfy meat-eaters and vegetarians alike. Note that toilets are only accessible via steep stairs, a relic of the old Elizabethan house the inn once was. Another feature of the pub is the resident pub cat who is currently called 'Peabody' following the demise of 'Ray Brown', the latter pictured RIP proudly wearing his legal ruff. The cat Peabody is, alas, no more. The new cat is called 'Clement Attlee', a fine and more robust specimen, but objects to wearing the ruff. We don't blame him.

Historic Interest

Grade II listing:- Formerly known as: The Log and Seven Stars Public House CAREY STREET. Public house. Perhaps C17 in origins (dated 1602) with later alterations and additions. Painted brick clads partial timber frame; slate roof. 2 storeys and attic; 4 windows, that to right broader and set in projecting jetty which may have been a separate building. Ground floor with C19 wooden public house frontage of 4 windows and 2 entrances flanked by pilasters; panelled aprons to windows. Gauged brick flat arches to 1st floor recessed sashes, except 1 window in jettied bay to right with reeded, architraved surround. INTERIOR: two rooms to ground floor. C19 bar backs with mirrors, that to larger bars with cupboards. Bar counters to both rooms of similar date. c1900 corner fireplace in right-hand bar, its joinery continues as ledges round side walls and across windows. Ceilings with thin beams of similar date masking earlier framing. Narrow stair to upper floors set behind main bar.

Regular cask ales

This pub serves 1 regular beer.

• Adnams Broadside

Changing cask ales

This pub serves 4 changing beers.

Changing beers typically include:

• Adnams --varies--
• Harvey's Sussex Best Bitter
• Sambrook's --varies--

Source: National

Updated on 20/03/2019
Last surveyed on 20/12/2017
Branch responsible is North London

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