The Old Stables

“A pint of ale and a tale of The Old Stables, anyone?” I ask, raising a pretend tankard. The Old Stables, though now a restaurant, whispers stories of a different life. While our knowledge doesn’t delve into this particular establishment’s history, the term “stable” itself carries a rich history, particularly in London. I’ll share a story of the most famous stables in London: the Royal Mews. The Royal Mews, now residing at Buckingham Palace, wasn’t always there. Originally located at Charing Cross, its history stretches back to 1377. Not for horses, but for royal hawks! The name “mews” comes from the French “muer,” meaning “to moult.” These hawks were kept here during moulting season. Imagine the scene: majestic birds of prey, their feathers scattered around as they shed their old plumage for new. Centuries later, fire destroyed the royal stables in Bloomsbury in 1534. King Henry VIII, ever the pragmatist, repurposed the hawk mews at Charing Cross into stables, transferring the name along with the function. Kent’s 1732 redesign created an open space in front, a rarity in increasingly crowded London. This mews hosted royal horses, including the iconic cream Hanoverian stallions favored by George I. These magnificent creatures pulled state carriages for two hundred years, a symbol of royal power and elegance. A dramatic moment unfolded in 1820 when the Guards at the Royal Mews mutinied in support of Queen Caroline during her divorce from George IV. The entire Charing Cross site was eventually cleared to make way for Trafalgar Square and the National Gallery. The mews, however, didn’t disappear. It was relocated to Buckingham Palace in the 1820s. The Royal Mews today continues to serve its purpose, housing horses and carriages. It’s a living museum, a testament to the enduring legacy of tradition and pageantry in the heart of modern London. So raise your imaginary glasses one more time. To the horses, the hawks, and the echoes of history that resonate within the very name “The Old Stables.”