Picture a pub. This is no ordinary pub. This is the Cittie of Yorke. It stands proudly on High Holborn. Its story stretches back centuries. Imagine stepping inside this London landmark.
The Cittie of Yorke whispers tales of old. It claims its site has been a pub since 1430. Although the current building largely dates from the 1920s it has a rich history. The pub’s sign boldly declares its heritage. This claim pulls you in promising a journey through time.
Enter through a snug. Once it was a small garden. Then you find yourself in a cathedral of taverns. The Cittie of Yorke boasts possibly the longest bar in London. Giant vats line one wall. Each vat could hold 1100 gallons. On the other side are cubicles. Lawyers from nearby Inns of Court once used them for private talks. Others likely had different motives.
CAMRA calls it a truly remarkable pub. It evokes a romantic vision of Olde England. This self-conscious recreation captivates visitors. The pub wasn’t always named Cittie of Yorke. It gained this name in the early 1980s. Samuel Smith chain became its owner. The name came from a demolished 16th-century pub nearby. Before that it was Henekey’s Long Bar. It also went by The Queen’s Head.
Dylan Thomas penned a poem here in 1951. It was an ode to Henekey’s Long Bar. Fred Jarvis discovered the poem later. He found it among his late parents-in-law’s papers. They knew Thomas. The poem begins This little song was written in Henneky’s Long Bar High Holborn.
Despite its age the building has seen changes. Most of what stands today was built in 1923-24. However the cellar dates back to at least the 1600s. It still serves as a working bar. The Cittie of Yorke faces competition in claiming to be London’s oldest pub. The Guinea in Mayfair makes a similar claim. The Old Red Lion also vies for the title.
During the 17th century the Cittie of Yorke’s predecessor hosted a coffee shop. What makes a pub truly old? Is it the original building? Is it continuous occupation? Is it the name? Or is it simply the same location?
Perhaps it is the atmosphere that matters most. Perhaps it is the memories and history. The Cittie of Yorke certainly delivers on these fronts. So raise a glass. Celebrate the enduring spirit of this historic London pub. Let the echoes of centuries past wash over you in the Cittie of Yorke.