
In a new book — London's Lost Pubs — Sam Cullen goes on a epic crawl of over 200 of the most interesting erstwhile boozers, discovering swimming pools, skulls and the Sex Pistols along the way. Here, the author picks 10 of his favourite pubs that have been lost within the last 25 years.
1. Cartoonist, City

Located at the foot of Richard Seifert's International Press Centre, this modern corner pub was the meeting point of the Cartoonist's Club of Great Britain. It hosted the annual Cartoonist of the Year awards with names like Tony Benn, Ken Livingstone — even Margaret Thatcher (though before she was PM, and essentially turned into a cartoon) — drop in. The regulars redesigned the pub sign every year. When the Press Centre was demolished in 2013, the pub came down with it.
2. George and Dragon, Vauxhall
At first glance, the George and Dragon was a typical south London pub. But in 1983 it shot to fame when new landlady Julie Lettern opened a swimming pool in the back garden. If you don’t believe me, watch the Thames News report, above. The pool was gone by the end of the 80s, although the pub survived until 2006, the sign still boasting it was the "only pub with a pool". It’s now been converted into flats.
3. Goathouse, South Norwood

This Croydon pub lived up to its name for many years, as there were goats grazing in the garden. Misfortune hit in 1996 when the Goathouse was badly damaged by fire as it was in the process of being refurbished. It was, however, restored and continued to trade until closing in 2004, being demolished three years later and replaced by flats. Two goat heads which once festooned the pub can be found propping up a nearby bench. The pub is remembered in the shape of the Shelverdine Goathouse, which opened nearby in 2016.
4. Hole in the Wall, Richmond

This cosy back-street boozer found its way into the national headlines soon after closure in 2006. The building was being eyed up for a major redevelopment when one of the neighbours stepped in to buy it — none other than Sir David Attenborough. Builders working on the site then discovered the skull of Julia Thomas, murdered in 1879 by her housekeeper Kate Webster. As Thomas had been dismembered, only parts of her body had been found when Webster was arrested.
5. Intrepid Fox, Soho

This rock 'n' roll institution was a stalwart of the Soho scene for over 200 years. A favourite of actors like Richard Harris, as well as the Sex Pistols, it closed suddenly in 2006 despite a high-profile campaign to save it. The building is now a restaurant with the old exterior tiling intact. The Fox was briefly reborn in a different home by Centre Point but this didn’t last long before it too was demolished.
6. Jack Straw's Castle, Hampstead Heath

The Castle stood proudly atop the Heath for well over 200 years and was a favourite of Charles Dickens as well as featuring in Bram Stoker's Dracula, when Professor Van Helsing and Doctor Jack Seward pause here to refresh. Badly damaged in the Blitz, Jack Straw's Castle — named for the 14th century rebel leader, not the former Foreign Secretary — was rebuilt in 1964. The pub closed in 2001 with much of the building converted into flats. Space on the ground floor was reserved for a pub restaurant which never opened.
7. Paviours Arms, Pimlico

Located in a 1930s Westminster office block, The Paviours Arms was labelled London's most complete art deco pub, retaining all its period fixtures and fittings well into the new millennium. All of this was swept away in 2003 when the block was demolished, despite a campaign — including from many MPs — to at least preserve the interior. Ultimately there was no saviour for the Paviour.
8. Sir George Robey, Finsbury Park

Robey was a star of the musical hall era so it was fitting that this pub was known for its live music, hosting bands like Hawkwind and an early Blur gig. Nick Hornby paid tribute to the Sir George Robey in his 1995 book High Fidelity; it served as inspiration for the fictional Harry Lauder pub in the story. The pub closed in 2004 and lay derelict for over a decade until being demolished in 2015.
9. Spotted Dog, Forest Gate

Thought to have originated as a hunting lodge for Henry VIII, the Spotted Dog was also used as a haven for those escaping into the (then) countryside during the Great Plague. The pub, a Grade II-listed building, shut in 2004. An active campaign remains to reopen it, while a planning application to construct a new hotel nearby includes provision for restoration of the pub. There may be life in the Spotted Dog yet...
10. Still and Star, Aldgate

Considered to be the City of London's last remaining slum pub, the Still and Star first opened in 1820 and was reportedly frequented by Daniel Defoe who wrote sections of Robinson Crusoe here. The unique name, writes the Gentle Author, came from the fact the pub had its own still, which was housed in the hayloft above, while 'star' refers to the Star of David — a nod to the Jewish population of 19th century Aldgate. In 2016 it was revealed the pub was to be demolished to enable the development of a large office block, triggering a campaign to save it. However, planning approval was granted for demolition in 2020. It is still standing, just.

London's Lost Pubs by Sam Cullen, published by Pen & Sword Books Ltd.
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