As England’s pubs unlock their doors, the bars unbar, the pumps pull, the barrels roll, and the spirits of the age flow free, it is a moment to remember the poetry of the pub sign, and the joy of names that summon the dawn, transport, trade, faith, royalty, beasts, birds and the night sky, all those things that help us to view our capital through the heart of a glass…

The Rising Sun, The Fox, The Gun, The Daylight Inn, The Barley Mow,
The Rose & Crown, The Hare & Hounds, The Flying Horse, The Tally Ho!
The Lamb & Flag, The Handsome Cab, The Coach & Horses, The Black Cap,
The Railway Tavern, The Flying Scotsman, The Only Running Footman, The Brewery Tap,
The Blind Beggar, The Chelsea Potter, The Waterman’s, The Windermere,
The Mason’s, Cooper’s, Bricklayer’s, Brewer’s, Plumber’s, Joiner’s, Grenadier,
The Bishop’s Finger, Ye Olde Mitre, The Black Friar, The Green Man,
The George & Dragon, St Margaret’s Tavern, The Harp, The Hope, The Dove, The Lamb,
The King’s Head, Queen’s Head, Duke’s Head, Turk’s Head, Bedford, Britannia, Spaniard’s Inn,
The Boar’s Head, Bull’s Head, Stag’s Head, Nag’s Head, Albert, Victoria, George, Nell Gwynne,
The White Horse, The Black Horse, The Old Packhorse, The Old White Bear, The Spotted Dog,
The Cock, Ye Olde Cock, The Swan, The Peacock, The Fox & Pheasant, The Hampshire Hog,
The Trafalgar, The Nelson, The Admiral Duncan, The Spanish Galleon, The Old Ship,
The Prospect of Whitby, The Army & Navy, The Juggler’s, The Smuggler’s, Dirty Dick’s,
The Horse & Groom, The Plough, The Moon, The Evening Star, Ye Olde Cheshire Cheese,
The One Bell, Eight Bells, Ten Bells, Old Bell, The World’s End: “Time, gentlemen, please!”

Copyright © Jason Hook 2020