What if these walls of The Old Bull & Bush could talk? They would tell tales of ale-soaked evenings. They would whisper secrets of famous patrons and sing the chorus of a timeless song. Welcome to The Old Bull & Bush a pub steeped in history and brimming with stories.
The Old Bull & Bush stands proudly on North End Way. It is a Grade II listed building. Its story began much earlier as a simple farmhouse in 1645. In 1721, the farmhouse received a license to sell ale. This marked its transformation into a place of public gathering.
William Hogarth himself frequented The Old Bull & Bush. He even helped to plant the pub garden. Imagine Hogarth enjoying a pint. Picture him sketching ideas amidst the greenery.
In 1867 The Old Bull & Bush secured a music license. Under landlord Henry Humphries it became a destination for Cockney day-trippers. The sounds of music filled the air. Laughter and merriment echoed through the rooms of The Old Bull & Bush.
The early 20th century saw the rise of a song. It was a song forever linked to this very pub. “Down at the Old Bull and Bush” became a music hall sensation. Florrie Forde’s rendition made it famous. The song ensured the pub’s place in cultural history.
The chorus invited everyone to come down to The Old Bull & Bush. It urged people to enjoy the atmosphere. It encouraged them to drink some port wine. It told them to listen to the little German band. The Old Bull & Bush became more than a pub. It became a symbol of London’s vibrant social life.
Major changes came in 1924. The Ind Coope brewery owned the building. They reconstructed The Old Bull & Bush. Another refurbishment followed in 1987.
In 2006, the interior was renovated. It adopted a modern gastropub style. The kitchen became openly visible. The Old Bull & Bush reopened on March 24. In 2007, The Bull and Bush became one of London’s first smoke-free pubs.
There was a plan for a Bull and Bush tube station nearby. Only the platforms were ever built. The station was never opened.
The Old Bull and Bush has seen crowded bank holidays. In 1906 one newspaper reported it was the best Easter Monday in years. People flocked to Hampstead Heath and its pubs. The Old Bull and Bush was a favourite stop.
Today The Old Bull & Bush continues to welcome guests. It offers a blend of history and modern comfort. As you stand here take a moment to appreciate its story. Think of Hogarth in the garden. Imagine Florrie Forde singing on stage. The Old Bull & Bush is more than just a pub. It is a living piece of London’s history.