The Flying Horse

Nestled between towering steel and glass giants, The Flying Horse stands defiant. It’s the last bastion of traditional pub life on bustling Oxford Street. This isn’t just any pub. It’s a time capsule, a portal back to the vibrant, flamboyant era of Victorian London. The Flying Horse originally opened its doors in the late 19th century, a creation of the renowned architects Saville & Martin, who also designed the iconic Punch Tavern. Commissioned by the Baker Brothers, these public house tycoons epitomized the boom and bust of the Victorian era. Inside The Flying Horse, time seems to stand still. Look up. Admire the tiled frieze and the octagonal skylight, though its Victorian glass has been replaced with a modern touch. The pub we see today is actually a fusion of two original rooms. The original entrance would have been to the left, leading to a passage into the back room. Evidence of this passage can still be seen in the ceiling moldings on the front left. The mahogany pilastered panelling that lines the walls is a feast for the eyes. Interspersed within this rich woodwork are true treasures: back-painted mirrors, embossed tiles, and stunning paintings. Three of these paintings, by Felix de Jong and Co, depict the allegorical figures of Autumn, Summer, and Spring. Each figure carries symbols of their season: grapes for Autumn, pheasants for Summer, and flowers for Spring. Sadly, Winter is missing, perhaps lost to time or hidden beneath modern panelling. The back-painted mirrors, supplied by Jones and Firmin, are masterpieces of Victorian decorative art. Their ribbons, cherubs, and cornucopia designs bring a touch of whimsy to the space. Don’t miss the encaustic tile panels depicting flowering urns by Millington, Wisdom and Co, Art Tile Painters of Shaftesbury Avenue. And in the rear of the pub, a grand fireplace with an ornate mahogany surround and overmantle dominates the wall. Above all this splendor, the colorful tiled frieze encircles the ceiling with a motif of swirling foliage. Originally called The Flying Horse, the pub was renamed The Tottenham. It served the theatregoers of the nearby Tottenham Street Theatre, once one of London’s finest music halls. But in 2015, it reclaimed its original name, The Flying Horse, a nod to its rich past. So, raise a glass to The Flying Horse. It’s a survivor, a testament to the enduring spirit of a bygone era. A place where history, art, and good cheer intertwine, offering a welcome respite from the relentless pace of modern London.