Welcome to the White Swan, a pub steeped in history in Covent Garden. This White Swan has a story to tell. This is not just about perfect pints. It is also about London’s vibrant past.
The White Swan stands at 14 New Row. It is a Grade II listed building. This designation marks its architectural and historical significance.
Let’s step back in time. Imagine London in the late 17th or early 18th century. The White Swan was constructed during this era. It has witnessed centuries of change. The pub was refaced and altered in the mid-19th century. This gave it a new look.
For a time, The White Swan was known as an O’Neill’s pub. But it has now returned to its roots. Nicholsons now runs The White Swan. It again bears its original name.
The White Swan is more than just a place for a drink. It is a piece of London’s heritage. It stands as a reminder of the city’s rich tapestry of stories. Every brick and beam tells a story of London’s past.
Now, let’s journey further back in time. We’re heading to the early to mid-19th century. Our destination is not Covent Garden. It is Alie Street. Here, another White Swan Pub thrived.
This White Swan was run by the parents of John Sebastian Helmcken. He was of German ancestry. Helmcken grew up in the Alie Street pub. He later recorded his memories. These memories offer a glimpse into his childhood.
Helmcken described Great Alie Street as highly respectable. It was home to government offices and grand houses. A blacksmith and a carpenter also had shops nearby. He recalled a stately mansion covered in a grapevine.
Helmcken remembered four respectable streets. They were named after the descendants of Goodman. Goodman was involved in the West Indies. In the rear of these streets was a large field. It was called the “Tenter Ground”. Soldiers from the Tower of London would exercise here.
Young Goodman would break in horses. On one side of the street stood Bowman’s sugar refinery. Behind Helmcken’s house was a square. It was surrounded by sugar refineries. These refineries were later ruined by Free Trade.
Helmcken played in and around the refineries. He learned about sugar refining. Experiments were done to make sugar from beetroots. These failed. The refineries shut down one by one.
There was a broad yard with flagstones. Huge walls surrounded it. It was a place for mischief. But neighboring windows kept watch. Alie Place was another play area. But Mrs. Graves would send the boys home if they became too loud.
Today, we stand before The White Swan in Covent Garden. It is not the same pub as the one in Helmcken’s memories. But both share a name. Both offer a glimpse into London’s history. The White Swan in Covent Garden is waiting for you. Step inside. Experience the ambiance. Raise a glass to the stories within its walls.