Pubs & Clubs
Beers & Breweries
Pubs & Clubs
Beers & Breweries
Join Us

Old Bank Of England, London


Directions

You want to visit - You have this in
Operator: McMullen
194 Fleet Street, Aldwych, London, EC4A 2LT (View on Google Map)

This Grade II listed building was, until 1975, the Law Courts branch of the Bank of England and then a Bristol & West Building Society office. After a period of time as a Fuller's pub, latterly one of their Ale & Pie establishments, the lease reverted to owners McMullens in early 2019 and the pub is now directly managed by them.

The pub was given a refurbishment in early 2020 and, whereas the ornate high ceilings complete with chandeliers and the gallery beneath it were retained, the island bar was replaced with a modern metal work structure with similarly styled booths alongside. The rear courtyard now features a classic Routemaster bus, craned in during the McMullens refurb, see our photo. This is used as a bar in fine weather.

The ale range is now entirely from the McMullen brewery, complemented by a menu offering typical pub grub.

There are three function areas but occasionally the whole pub may be booked out so do check before making a special visit.

Historic Interest

A story has it that this was once the site of Mrs. Lovett's Pie Shop, who obtained her ingredients from a man named Sweeney Todd who ran a barber's shop nearby! Nowadays iit is Grade II listed, Historic England entry 1192681. Includes No 1 Bell Yard. 1886, by Sir Arthur Blomfield. Vigorous, Italianate corner building. Basement of rough hewn grey granite. Portland stone above, with order of engaged Doric columns to ground storey and Ionic to 2 storeys above. Red granite columns to windows, those to ground storey of Venetian type, Corner pavilions with bracketed eaves cornice. Balustrade to area and crowning main building. Good ironwork to entrance in west pavilion. Small, lower wing to rear in Bell Yard.

Information for this venue is provided by the West London Branch of CAMRA
Previous Names
Local Authority
Westminster
Last updated
28/04/2025
Last surveyed
12/08/2021
Leasehold owner
unknown
Freehold owner
McMullen
Pub ID
ELC/14928
Asset of Community Value

Conversion

A Grade II-listed building from 1888 and the former premises of the Fleet Street branch of the Bank of England and then a building society office, sensitively refurbished. Murals reference the rich history of the area. Ornate high ceilings and chandeliers. Managed by McMullen's offering ales and meals. Closed Sundays.

General information about outstanding conversions and restorations
Premium Access Required

You must be a Digital Subscriber or CAMRA Member to be able to view specially curated GBG descriptions

Premium Access Required
Opening Times Unavailable

Current beers

This Pub serves 1 changing beer and 2 regular beers.

Regular and recently seen
AK Original Mild

Hertford

This beer is served regularly. Spotted 10 times

Mild

Handpump

ABV: 3.7%
Score this beer
Country Bitter

Hertford

This beer is served regularly. Spotted twice

Session Bitter

Handpump

ABV: 4.3%
Score this beer
McMullen IPA

Hertford

Spotted 4 times recently. Last spotted 3 days ago

Premium Pale Ale

ABV: 4.8%
Score this beer

Old Bank Of England, London

Add it to our list and share what's currently being served!.
Are you a CAMRA member? Contribute by submitting a beer score
Spot a Beer
Submit beer score
Changing

Changing beers typically include: McMullen (seasonal)

Your scores
Join CAMRA to access beer scoring and view scores for other pubs. Become a member.
Retrieving scores
You have no beer scores submitted.

Facilities
Sports TV Sports TV
selected sports on terrestial television
Lunchtime Meals Lunchtime Meals
Evening Meals Evening Meals
Garden Garden
the courtyard to the rear features a routemaster bus!
Family Friendly Family Friendly
Dog Friendly Dog Friendly
Function Room Function Room
there are two rooms that can be booked, as well as the bus
Smoking Smoking
courtyard
Wi Fi Wi Fi
Features
Real Ale Real Ale
OCR Pub OCR Pub
Transport
Close to bus routes (75m)
various
Nearby Station (650m)
City Thameslink
Close to London Underground/Overground/DLR (400m)
Temple

Help keep our information accurate!

Notice an error or missing details? Help us keep our pub & club information accurate by sharing any corrections or updates you spot.

Suggest an edit

Nearby

View All
Cock Tavern London EC4 taken Apr 2012. (Pub, External, Key). Published on 01-12-2013
Open
Olde Cock Tavern
Greene King Pub, in London
3 Regular, 3 Changing Beers
0.0 miles from you
  • CAMRA discount scheme
George WC2-1 Oct 2017. (Pub, External, Key). Published on 29-10-2017
Open
George
Metropolitan (Greene King) Pub, in London
2 Regular, 5 Changing Beers
0.1 miles from you
  • CAMRA discount scheme
Devereux WC2-1 Mar 2019. (Pub, External, Key). Published on 24-03-2019
Open
Devereux
Little Teapot Taverns Pub, in London
1 Regular, 2 Changing Beers
0.1 miles from you
Daly's Wine Bar WC2. (Pub, External, Key). Published on 30-11-2014
Open
Daly's Wine Bar
City Pub Company Pub, in London
2 Regular Beers
0.1 miles from you
TBH Front Elevation 19-Feb-19. (Pub, External, Key). Published on 20-02-2019
Open
Temple Brew House
City Pub Company Pub, in London
2 Regular, 2 Changing Beers
0.1 miles from you
OCR Pub
March 2023 when still a Wetherspoons. (Pub, External, Key). Published on 05-11-2023
Open
Last Judgment
Berkeley Inns Pub, in London
3 Regular, 1 Changing Beers
0.1 miles from you
  • Conversion
Edgar Wallace WC2-1 Feb 2018. (Pub, External, Key). Published on 18-02-2018
Open
Edgar Wallace
Independent Pub, in London
3 Changing Beers
0.1 miles from you
EC4a Editors Tap taken 2018-05-28.. (Pub, External). Published on 07-10-2018
Open
Editors Tap
Stonegate (formerly Ei Group) Pub, in London
1 Regular, 1 Changing Beers
0.1 miles from you
  • CAMRA voucher scheme
Clachan London EC4 taken in mid 1985.. (Pub, External). Published on 13-04-2019
Open
Apex Temple Court Hotel
Pub, in London
REAL ALE not available
0.1 miles from you
Heritage Pub
(Pub, External, Key). Published on 04-07-2013
Open
Seven Stars
Roxy Beaujolais Pub, in London
2 Regular, 1 Changing Beers
0.1 miles from you

Need accommodation?

 

 

© Campaign for Real Ale 2023 - 2025 (ce-10)
Home