Edgar Wallace
40 Essex Street
Aldwych
London
WC2R 3JF
Social Links
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Visit Edgar Wallace on Facebook
Opening Times
11-11 Mon-Fri; Closed Sat & Sun
Meal Times
11-8.30 Mon-Thu; 11-3 Fri; Closed Sat & Sun
Owner
--individual--
About the Pub
Just off Fleet Street near the Royal Courts of Justice, near all the barristers' chambers in the Temple and the Aldwych, this is a real gem of a one room pub, with an additional drinking and eating room upstairs. The ceiling is packed with the landlord's collection of beer mats, and the walls and back bar - and more! - can only be described as a mecca of advertising signs for beers, sherry, port, cigarettes, tobacco and cigars of the past.
The landlord's collection of Edgar Wallace crime novels, pub guides, etc., will make you want to linger. And with between six and eight ales generally available, all but one being rotating guests sourced from breweries, including micros, from all over the country, you're spoiled for choice. The landlord John (he gets by on around four hours of sleep a night - he's used to it after 46 years in the trade and 8 at the Edgar Wallace; it's a way of life) is invariably on hand at his table by the main door, and will happily help you make your choice of beer. Good value food is served all day (but just until 3pm on Fridays).
This pub does not open at all at weekends. It's a "quiet" pub with no music, laptops, mobiles and so on allowed. With its great range of interesting real ales, it operates a try-before-you-buy policy but, to compensate for this, note that half pints may be charged at a premium rate.
Historic Interest
There has been a pub here since at least 1777. Past customers of the Essex Head Tavern (known as Sam's for the publican Samuel Greaves, an old servant of Mr. Thrale - of H. Thrale & Co., brewers at the Anchor Brewery Southwark) included Dr. Samuel Johnson and Richard Brocklesbury who are said to have founded the Essex Head Club here in 1783. Rebuilt in 1891 as the Essex Head, it took its present name in 1975 to celebrate the centenary of the famous crime writer's birth.
Regular Beers
This pub serves 1 regular beer.
- Crouch Vale Brewers Gold
Changing Beers
This pub serves Many changing beers.
Changing beers typically include:
- Dark Star Hophead
- Timothy Taylor Landlord
Usually five, sometimes seven changing ales.
Features
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Real Ale Available
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Quiet Pub
Facilities
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Disabled Access
The main door provides level access; but not to toilets upstairs.
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Lunchtime Meals
-
Evening Meals
Not on Fri.
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Dog Friendly
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Family Friendly
Only if eating.
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Smoking Area
At front of the pub.
View on Larger Map
Edgar Wallace
40 Essex Street
Aldwych
London
WC2R 3JF
Sat Nav Reference
Transport
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Close to Bus Routes
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Close to Railway Station
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Close to Underground/DLR
Nearby Bus Routes (75m)
TfL: 11, 15, 4, 23, 26, 76, 172, 341
Nearby Station (800m)
Blackfriars
Nearby London Underground/DLR (300m)
Temple
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