"The Walk of Shame 06"
Saturday 29th July, 2006

Rules & Instructions

Well here we go again, it's been two long years since the last Walk of Shame so here we go with the 2006 version.  All you need to bring is yourself and a Zone 1-2 Travel card. 

More info will be posted here in the coming days.  Starting times may vary due to some pubs closing at earlier times. 

The aim of the day is to visit the 26 pubs below and consume half a pint at each.  This half pint can be whatever you like.  Obviously most attendees will be drinking half pints of beer, however there is no shame in having a soft drink along the way.  The aim is to make it to the last pub, not to get completely rat arsed after five pubs.  I strongly suggest you avoid pints.  Firstly, they take too long to drink, and secondly you will not last the distance!   We will have a whistle and once it's blown we'll finish our drinks and head to the next destination.

This is the same route we did two years ago, and the instructions below are pretty good in regards to directions from one pub to the next.  Obviously some of the pubs may have been renamed or closed, so we may have to find alternatives if a problem arises.  Improvisation on the day is half the fun!

Most of the times are set out as when we'll expect to leave rather than a range. The reason for this is that the journey between some of the locations depends on public transport, which can be variable (or even non-existent). The earlier times are closer together than the later ones, so there is a degree of slack.  The time available for the later pubs is longer than the earlier ones to account for a certain slowing of the reactions.  Finally, the last thing we need on a day like this is any sort of trouble, so let's all try and stay happy legless drunks!

There are two pubs where we will be stopping for longer than usual.  These are also good rendezvous points and leave some time for some well needed food.

11:45 - 12:25 (approx) -  The Hamilton Hall in Liverpool Street Station serves food all day and there are numerous fast food outlets all over the station.
18:55 - 19:45 (approx) - We are due to visit two pubs in this period, the Moon Under Water and the Comedy. They are both close to Leicester Square where there is a concentration of food places. 

The Route

To print a Microsoft Word version of the route open or download this document.

How to get to the first pub:

This pub is not in Old Kent Rd, but Old Kent Road is miles away and hey I figure we are going to be walking enough today and any time spent longer in a pub than out is all good in my book. Served by quite a number of buses. Probably easiest to get a bus from close to Tower Hill DLR, the 42 (from Aldgate via Tower Hill)   This will take you over the bridge and it’s a little way down on the left.

 I will arrive at the pub around 10.00am – as I wouldn’t mind grabbing some breakfast. Happy for anyone to join me. This is a Weatherspoons so its gonna be cheap and greasy, just the thing for a days worth of drink and the first will be in:

The Pommelers Rest - Old Kent Road
Tower Bridge Road,
Time - up to 10:40

Courage Best

We will then walk back across the bridge up towards Tower Gateway DLR. Carry on walking up past Minories, turn left into Crosswall. Going on down you carry on straight under the railway bridge (Crutched Friars now), past the Cheshire Cheese. Just as Crutched Friars turns into Hart Street, take the cut through to the right, into the square where the station is. Enter Fenchurch Street Station, go up the stairs to the platforms, and over behind you to the right is:

The Fen - Fenchurch Street Station

Fenchurch Street Station

Time - up to 11:20

Leave the station, staying on the Right-hand side of the square. Turn right into Fenchurch Street and walk straight until it turns into Aldgate High Street. Cross the road in front of St. Botolph's church, carry on past Aldgate tube station. On the corner of Middlesex Street take the subway (Exit 13), and proceed to Exit 15. You're now on Whitechapel High Street, carry on little bit further up and you arrive at:

Aldgate Exchange - Whitechapel Road

Whitechapel High Street

Time - to 11:40

Out of the pub back down to the right and turn right into onto Middlesex Street. Keep going down this street until you hit Bishopsgate. Turn left and Liverpool Street is right in front of you, go down a little way and cross at the lights. The Hamilton Hall is on your left just before you enter the station:

The Hamilton Hall - Liverpool Street Station

Liverpool Street Station

J.D.Wetherspoon's

Time - to 12.25

The ex-ballroom at the Great Eastern hotel has been turned into a vast beer hall by the Wetherspoon's organisation. We'll be staying here a little longer than most of the pubs to enable those who didn't get breakfast to order some food (always available here). Also it'll be a good rendezvous point for the folks who didn't make it out of bed on time.

Out of bar by the entrance at the back near the loos. Left along the gallery of the station past McDonald's.  Go to the bus station, stop C, were we get the number 214 bus (a single decker yellow thing). It leaves at 12:28 (or used to) so we'll be making sure you leave in time.  This leaves the station, goes up through Finsbury Circus and along City Road (look out for The Eagle - as in "Pop Goes the Weasel"), until it reaches The Angel, Islington. Alight just before the main road junction (by the green clock in the road). Walk about 50 yards up the road towards the junction, and cross over to the right side of the road. Continue up to the corner and cross over Islington High Street and straight into:

The Angel - Angel

Islington High Street

Time - to 13:00

Out of the pub (front door), turn right, down to the junction and trun right again along Pentonville Road. Just 100 yards along is:

The Castle - Pentonville Road

Pentonville Road

Free House

Time - to 13:20

Leave pub, cross Pentonville road and go to the next bus stop. Any bus leaving from here will take us to King's Cross Station (numbers 30/70/214). Alight from the bus outside and go into the station. Right alongside platform 8 is:

The Duke of York - Kings Cross Station

Time - to 13:40

Leave the station by the side entrance, cross the road towards St. Pancras station, and walk about 150 yards along Euston Road. You'll reach:

O’Neills – Euston Road

Euston Road

Time - to 14:00

Another chance to catch your breath . As the next link is a bit tricky. Cross Euston Road and walk further along it to Euston Square tube station. Take the Circle or Hammersmith & City or Metropolitan to Baker Street. Emerge from the station, turn right, cross Baker Street and carry on along Marylebone Road for 150-200 yards. Turn right into Central Street (just before the hotel) and you'll come to Marylebone Station. Into the station, and on the far left end of the concourse:

The Victoria & Albert - Marylebone Station

Marylebone Station

Time - to 14:40

This is probably going to be the longest link between pubs, unless we get really lucky with the buses. Leave the station, head back to Marylebone Road. In front of the hotel catch a bus. Number 2 would be great, it goes all the way to our next pub, but any going as far as Baker Street will do. If we don't get a no.2, change at the Baker Street stop for a 2, 74 or 82 going towards Hyde Park Corner (we'll probably have to cross Marylebone Road to join the southern section of Baker Street).

Conversely as we did last time 5 TO A CAB TOOOO EASY

Whatever bus or cab we get, alight right outside of The London Hilton hotel, on Park Lane. Walk past the hotel and take the left hand of the two roads that lead south, Old Park Lane. Near the bottom, opposite the memorabilia shop of the Hard Rock Cafe is:

The Rose & Crown - Park Lane

Old Park Lane

Time - to 15:20

Theakston Best

Back up Old Park Lane, turn right into Hertford Street. Continue down to the end, turn the corner, the Shepherd Tavern will be in front of you. Turn and walk along Shepherd Street, you'll see the King's Arms at the end. Just left from here in the little market square of Shepherd Market, Mayfair, you'll see:

The Grapes - Mayfair

Shepherd's Market, Mayfair

Time - to 15:40

A lovely little pub in the heart of Shepherd Market. If it's a nice day we'll be able to sit outside and watch the world passing by in this traditionally slightly down at heel place that has become a little oasis. If you're inside you can see the hunting trophies, deer heads, grouse, fish, plus guns etc. Chances are you won't have time...but it's all good at this pub!

Leave the Grapes, walking down White Horse Street. When you get to Piccadilly, turn left. Carry on along Piccadilly for about 200 yards, past Green Park station. Once you've walked almost past The Ritz (opposite), cross Piccadilly at the junction, and head down Arlington Street. On the corner of this and Bennet street is:

The Blue Posts - Piccadilly

Bennet Street, Piccadilly

Time - to 16:00

No pubs are actually on Piccadilly, so this will have to do. There's an open main bar with some benches and seats outside so that we can sun ourselves while we grab a quick drink.

Carry on down Bennet Street and cross St. James Street at the crossing. Walk down St. James Street until you reach King Street, on the left.

Now we have an agonising decision. There are actually no pubs on Pall Mall, but there are two pubs here which are very close. They are quite similar in size, so we'll probably make the final decision on the day! Here's the review of The Golden Lion, which is on King Street itself:

The Golden Lion (The Red Lion) - Pall Mall

King Street, Pall Mall

Time - 16:20

A very small cosy pub and calls itself "The last village pub in Central London".

Down Crown Passage (or Angel Court if we end up in the Golden Lion) to Pall Mall. Now we stroll along the length of Pall Mall past the "gentlemens" clubs, The RAC, The Oxford & Cambridge etc. Cross the road just before the Institute of Directors, at Waterloo Place, but continue on Pall Mall.

We reach Cockspur Street and Trafalgar Square (pub for this later), and continue on the right hand side of the road until we reach Whitehall. Carry on around the corner, past the Whitehall Theatre until you reach:

The Lord Moon of the Mall - Whitehall

Whitehall

JD.Wetherspoons

Time - to 16:40

A recent Wetherspoons conversion of a magnificent high-ceilinged building. A shame we won't have time to linger, but maybe you can just fall on the floor and look up, as this is HALF-WAY!

Out of the pub and cross the road.  Walk down Whitehall, past The Clarence then round the corner to the left, down Great Scotland Yard until you reach Northumberland Avenue (for the observant we've just done three streets in the correct order of the Monopoly board). Cross the Avenue, and you'll see just at the bottom of Northumberland Street:

The Sherlock Holmes - Northumberland Avenue

Northumberland Street

Time - to 17:00

This is also a good meeting point as it is pretty close to Charing Cross station.

Nip down Craven Passage, keep going under the tunnel (The Arches of Flanagan & Allen fame), until you reach Villiers Street.  Into the tube station, take the Circle/District line going EAST. Go two stops to Blackfriars. Take Exit 8 from the station, walking up to Ludgate Circus, and take a left into Fleet Street. No longer the centre of the press, but many old buildings remain to remind you. Walk about 100 yards up the road, and on the right-hand side, up a little passage is:

Ye Olde Cheshire Cheese - Fleet Street

Fleet Street

Time - to 17:40

A very famous old pub, "rebuilt in 1667", with a maze of little bars and small snugs. They probably won't all be open when we visit but the "front" bar, which you enter from the passage, will be quiet and welcoming.

Back out on to Fleet Street, and continue walking. We may get lucky and hop on a bus, but it's an interesting walk, past the Royal Courts of Justice, Bush House home of the BBC World Service, and the church on an island in the middle of the road. Just past Waterloo Bridge we enter The Strand and just on the left is the next pub.

The Wellington - The Strand

Strand

Time - to 18:10

Out of the pub, turn up Wellington Road, towards Covent Garden. Keep going until you reach the point where it turns into Bow Street. Just on the corner is:

The Marquess of Anglesey - Bow Street

Bow Street

Time - to 18:30

 Follow the sounds of the buskers and street entertainers to Covent Garden market square, meander through to Henrietta Street (SW corner). Walk past Porter's, then straight across Bedford Street into the alley that is Bedford Court. Carry on more or less straight until you reach St. Martin's Lane (by Brief Encounter). Turn left, walk past The Coliseum, and just before you get to Trafalgar Square you'll stumble on:

The Chandos - Trafalgar Square

St.Martin's Place,

Time - to 18:50

 A wood panelled area downstairs with cosy booths that are always full, and a lounge upstairs with comfy leather chairs make this a great place to stop.

Up Charing Cross Road away from the Square, cross the road just past the National Portrait Gallery (there's a handy zebra crossing). Carry on up, and take the left on the pedestrianised road called Irving Street, leading to Leicester Square. Just round the corner on the right is The Moon Under Water.  There may be bouncers on the door so we may have to make sure we go in smallish groups:

The Moon Under Water - Leicester Square

J.D.Wetherspoon's

Time - to 19:45

GET SOMETHING TO EAT

 This will probably be packed at this time, best to meet right up the back of the pub if it's busy - also easier to get a drink near the back of the pub.

Okay, pressing on, take the diagonal path right across the middle of Leicester Square. Pass the Swiss Centre on your right. Cross Whitcomb Street, and then you're in Coventry Street. Take an immediate left down Oxenden Street, and there is:

The Comedy - Coventry Street

Oxenden Street,

Time - to 20:15

 A large dark pub with walls covered in show-biz memorabilia. You may fall asleep in here unless their music night is running (in the downstairs bar). Likely to be fairly busy.

Approaching the final stretch, just five more to go. Turn right out of the pub, then right again down Panton Street. Cross The Haymarket and go straight down Norris Street. We are near to Regent Street now, so it must be time for another pub:

The Captain's Cabin - Regent Street

Norris Street,

Time - to 20:35

 Take left/right dog-leg out of the pub, down Carlton Street onto Lower Regent Street. Head up to Piccadilly Circus, then left down Piccadilly. Cross at the second set of pedestrian lights, in front of St. James' church. Head up Swallow street, and you'll see Vine Street to your right.  Then go a little up Swallow Street to the next resting place:

Unknown - Vine Street

Swallow Street, Vine Street

Time - to 21:10

 This is the joker in the pack. All pubs in this area have closed down and somehow become restaurants!!!! ….and they expect you to order food to get something to drink. I have a right mind to get a drink from an Offy and drink right out the front……or we can just find something opn the night…any suggestion welcome.

Emerge from Swallow Street onto Regent Street (again). Turn left and start walking. Go only as far as Beak Street on the Right, and cross the road to go down it (New Burlington Mews is opposite). Carry on down Beak Street until you reach Carnaby Street. Stroll up here trying to remember what the sixties were like, and at the very top is Great Marlborough Street, and our next pub:

O’Neills - Great Marlborough Street

Gt.Marlborough Street

Time - to 21:40

 Out of the pub and left along Great Marlborough Street, you'll see the Magistrates Court in front of you (and if you didn't realise by now, it is the law that connects Bow Street, Vine Street and Marlborough Street together on the orange section). Cross Regent Street at the end and go down Hanover Street to Hanover Square. Go round the square to the opposite (NW) corner, and then proceed down Tenterden Street, past the Chicago Pizza Pie Factory.  At the corner of Dering Street, in sight of New Bond Street is the penultimate:

The Duke of York - Bond Street

Dering Street,

Time - to 22:15

 Out onto New Bond Street, turn right, going up to Oxford Street. Turn left and about 30 yards further on, just down left hand turn Woodstock street is the final pub (on the right).

The Woodstock - Oxford Street

Woodstock Street, Oxford Street

Free House?

Time - til the death

 A fine range of beers guaranteed to finish you off if you are not finished off already. The beer is many and varied, they will be different to those noted above, with a changing selection of draughts and a wide variety of bottled, mostly Belgian beers. If you haven't drunk anything so far try the Leffe on draught, a wonderfully smooth (and strong) beer.  Obviously want to get into the pub before the bar bell rings, however last time we were here well in time for a final drink.

 Footnotes:

We visit all the streets and stations. We'll miss out the Water Works, Electricity company, Free Parking and hopefully Jail. If you feel as though the night is still young and you haven’t had enough to drink, the O’Neills in Leicester Square was apparently going off last time.

To print a Microsoft Word version of the route open or download this document.