Consider the Plume of Feathers. It is more than just a pub. It is a Greenwich institution dating back to 1691.
The Plume of Feathers stands proudly as the oldest pub in Greenwich. It offers a unique experience. Imagine stepping back in time. The Plume of Feathers is a warm and friendly pub. It has an original claygate fireplace. Maritime relics and historical paintings adorn the walls. You will feel like you are in a country pub. Yet, you are in one of the world’s busiest cities.
Originally, the pub was called the Prince of Wales. That was until 1726. Widow Jane Whitall changed its name to the Plume of Feathers. The name comes from the heraldic badge of the Prince of Wales. Look closely at an old-style two pence piece. You will see the Plume insignia staring back at you.
The Plume of Feathers was ideally located. It sat on the busy Dover Road. Travellers leaving Greenwich would stop here. Coaches and carts passed through the Queen’s House gatehouse. The Plume of Feathers was the perfect place to refresh before heading towards Kent.
Lord Romney changed the course of history slightly. He was the Park Ranger at the time. In 1699, he built a new road about 100 metres to the north. This is now Romney Road. For a few years, the Plume of Feathers was on the main road.
The Plume of Feathers has seen many changes. In 1911, the landlord had a servant named Elsie Bunyan. Times have changed. Greenwich has transformed. Clive Asslet described it as evolving from an impoverished fishing village. It became a neat little suburb.
The Greenwich Parish rate books mention the pub in 1717. John Isaacs paid rates of 10 shillings and 8d. From 1726 to 1770, the Whitall family were landlords. In 1770, John Bendell took over. The rateable value for the pub was then £12.
A sketch map from 1792 refers to it as the Feathers Inn. Over the years, many breweries owned it. These include Beehive Brewery and Watney Brewery.
In 1884, Greenwich’s meridian was adopted as the world’s prime meridian. The Plume of Feathers became one of the first pubs in the Eastern Hemisphere. It continues to serve beer and food on its original site. It now sits on the edge of the UNESCO Maritime Greenwich World Heritage Site.
The Rose family secured the license in 1980. They made significant changes in 1994. They extended the kitchen. They also built a restaurant. Today, the Plume of Feathers can host 150 people. The garden can host another 50. Susan Rose and her son James have been independent landlords since 1999.
Today, the Plume of Feathers maintains its charm. It is a warm and friendly pub. It offers a feeling of being in a country pub. All this happens while still being in London. So next time you are in Greenwich, step inside the Plume of Feathers. Experience a taste of history.