What lurks beneath the unassuming facade of the Morpeth Arms? Don’t let the ordinary exterior fool you. This pub, the Morpeth Arms, holds a past far more intriguing than its present-day appearance suggests. Built in 1845, the Morpeth Arms wasn’t always a place for a pint and a bite to eat. It began its life serving a darker purpose.
The Morpeth Arms was constructed to provide refreshment for the warders of Millbank Penitentiary. This notorious prison, plagued with structural issues and disease, was eventually repurposed as a holding depot for convicts awaiting transportation to Australia. Imagine the fear and uncertainty these prisoners faced, confined in the underground cells beneath our feet. Some met their end down there, succumbing to disease or malnutrition before ever setting sail.
Today, those very cells are said to be haunted by the spirits of those unfortunate souls. While the cells aren’t open to the public, rumour has it that the Morpeth Arms has installed a “Ghost Cam” offering a live feed of the tunnels. Perhaps, if you’re lucky, you might catch a glimpse of something unexplained while enjoying your drink. But don’t worry, the Morpeth Arms also offers a more lighthearted way to engage with history. Venture upstairs to the “Spying Room”, grab the binoculars provided, and take a peek across the Thames. Yes, you read that right, you can “spy on the spies” at the MI6 headquarters directly opposite. It’s all in good fun, of course, but it’s a quirky reminder of the Morpeth Arm’s unique position in London’s landscape.