The Viaduct Tavern, 126 Newgate Street

The Viaduct Tavern, 126 Newgate Street, EC1A 7AA

The name of this Victorian pub commemorates the opening of the nearby Viaduct over the Fleet valley. The large building dominates the corner of Giltspur Street and Newgate Street. However the inside seems strangely smaller, like the TARDIS in reverse. It has retained many of the original features from those days including etched glass and red lyncrusta paper on high ceilings. The pub was built on the site of the old Newgate prison and the cells still survive in the cellar of the pub. The Scottish barmaid will give you a guided tour of the cells, but you need to steer clear of lunchtimes and evenings to avoid disappointment. The pub serves an extensive range of beers, wines and spirits as well as food - so there should be something to please everyone.

Reviewed by Paul Melton, Nov 2003

Telephone: 020 7606 8476

Nearby pubs: The White Swan, 20 Farringdon Street (200 metres), Bishops Finger, 9-10 West Smithfield (240 metres), The Hoop and Grapes, 80 Farringdon Street (260 metres), The White Hart, 7 Giltspur Street (80 metres), The New Market, 26 Smithfield Street (250 metres), The Paternoster, 2-4 Queens Head Passage, Paternoster Square (240 metres), Ye Olde London, 42 Ludgate Hill (240 metres)

Nearest station: City Thameslink, Zone 1 (290 metres)