Licensed in 1688, the Goat is on the site of the former Clarendon House, home of the Lord Chancellor to Charles II. The freeholder Matthew Tomlinson in a will dated 1735 bequeathed an annual sum from his rental from the site, for clothing poor men and women of adjacent parishes, and this continued for more than 200 years!
Former customers included Lord Nelson and Lady Hamilton, the latter of whom lived nearby. Carrying on the naval tradition, in the Edwardian era the smoking room upstairs was a favourite rendezvous for senior naval officers.
Rebuilt in 1958, now this is a small pub with a goat effigy on the frontage and additional seating upstairs.
Historic Interest
Artist and illustrator Edward Ardizzone drew "The Private Bar at the Goat" and his illustration is in Maurice Gorham's famous book "Back to the Local". Gorham seemed pleased that the pub avoided "young men about town with curled moustaches and a lot of shirt-cuff, and dress designers and photographers' models".
This Pub serves 1 changing beer and 2 regular beers.
Goat Tavern, London
Changing beers typically include: Timothy Taylor - Landlord