The First Coffee Shop in London

This was the first coffee-house in England, 1652

Location: St Michaels Alley, Cornhill, Bank, EC3V 9DS

Description: This was the first coffee-house in England. A restoration Starbucks if you will. That was in 1652. By 1700 the trend had become so big that there were over 3,000 in London - including the original Lloyd's.

The proprietor was Pasqua Rose, the servant of a trader in Turkish goods named Daniel Edwards.

Mr. Edwards acquired the coffee habit in Turkey, and brought home with him from Ragusa, in Dalmatia, Pasqua Rose, an Armenian or Greek youth, who prepared the beverage for him. But the novelty thereof, says biographer William Oldys, drawing too much company to him, he allowed the said servant with another of his son-in-law to set up the first coffee house in London at St. Michael's Alley, in Cornhill.

Over time, the coffee house evolved into a tavern and eventually into the Jamaica Wine House as we know it today (although locals refer to it as the Jampot). The current building is accordingly a Victorian public house, dating from 1885.

Tours: Curios

Tours: Quirky London

Themes: Pub Pub Theme