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Shakespeare's Head

Africa House, 64-68 Kingsway
Holborn
London
WC2B 6BG

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Opening Times

Regular

Monday	8.00 am - Midnight
Tuesday	8.00 am - Midnight
Wednesday	8.00 am - Midnight
Thursday	8.00 am - Midnight
Friday	8.00 am - 1.00 am
Saturday	8.00 am - 1.00 am
Sunday	8.00 am - Midnight

Meal Times

7am - 11 Mon - Fri
8am - 11 Sat & Sun

Operator

Wetherspoon

About the Pub

The pub takes its name from a famous pub that was located nearby until the entire street (Wych Street) was demolished over 100 years ago, shortly before Africa House, was built. Converted from a bank/building society in 1998.

Now a cavernous Wetherspoon pub whose convenient location means that it is nearly always busy, even weekends when the absence of the work crowd is made up for by shoppers, out of towners and people starting their Saturday nights (on Sunday many other local establishments are closed, which helps boost its custom). The nearby location of the London School of Economics means that students swell the pub's population during term time. Even though this is a very busy pub, service is normally quick from an efficient staff team.

Following CAMRA's updated definition of "real cider", pubs such as this selling for example Old Rosie and Orchard Pig or other ciders such as Thistly Cross, Stans, Gwynt Y Draig, Broadoak etc. no longer qualify for the "Real cider" tag.

Historic Interest

Grade II listing (Africa House):- 1921-2. By Trehearne and Norman. Portland stone faced steel frame. 6 storeys and 2 storey set back attic. 9 windows. Double height fluted Doric screen, with inset shops and bank, flanks a round-arched triumphal arch style entrance inscribed "Africa House" and surmounted by lions couchant. Upper storeys set back with central distyle-in-antis screen rising from 3rd to 5th floor; metal-framed windows, 5th floor with Greek scroll aprons and enrichment to heads of bays suggesting pilasters. Entablature with deep mutule cornice surmounted by a pediment of carved figures and animals. Plain attic storeys with cornice and blocking course having a central antefixa. Return to Twyford Place continues the design with a long screen.

Regular cask ales

This pub serves 3 regular beers.

Greene King Abbot
Greene King IPA
Sharp's Doom Bar

Changing cask ales

This pub serves 6 changing beers.

Changing beers typically include:

Truman's --varies--
Twickenham --varies--

Up to 6 rotating to give a spread across beer types, usually with a couple of London beers.

Source: National

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Features

Real Ale Available
CAMRA Voucher Scheme
Cask Marque Accredited
Quiet Pub

Facilities

Disabled Access
Entrance on the right-hand side of the pub.
Lunchtime Meals
Breakfast served from opening, and then the main menu.
Evening Meals
Garden
Seating on road at front of pub.
Family Friendly
Smoking Area
4 Tables outside entrance.
Wifi

View on Larger Map

Shakespeare's Head

Africa House, 64-68 Kingsway
Holborn
London
WC2B 6BG

Sat Nav Reference

51.516846, -0.1197

Transport

Close to Bus Routes
Close to London Underground / Overground / DLR

Nearby Bus Routes (5m)

1, 59, 6, 91, 168, 171, 188, 243, 521

Closest Station (1050m)

London Charing Cross

Nearby London Underground/Overground/DLR (100m)

Holborn

Submit Pub Updates to CAMRA

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