The Pillars of Hercules

This pub is famous is named in Dicken's Tale of Two Cities.

Location: 7 Greek St, London, W1D 4DJ

Description: There has been a pub on this site since 1733, though the present building dates from 1913.

There are various literary connections with this pub, ranging from the old, with Casanova, and Thomas De Quincey, to the modern with Ian McEwan and Julian Barnes.

A lesser known poet Francis Thompson who in 1887 was living rough in Soho, addicted to opium. He sent off a scruffy parcel of poems to a publisher, care of Charring Cross Post Office. The publisher was so impressed he searched Soho for the talented poet and found him in the doorway of The Pillars of Hercules, totally stoned on opium.

Charles Dickens referred to it in A Tale Of Two Cities and the road at the side of the pub through the arch is named Manette Street, after Dr Mannette, one of the characters from that book.

Tours: Charles Dickens' London

Themes: Pub Pub Theme