The Grapes: 500 Year Old Pub In London
The Grapes is a narrow riverside pub in London.
Originally called The Bunch of Grapes, it has stood on the pebbled Limehouse Reach for 500 years.
Today, the historic building is owned in partnership by the actor Sir Ian McKellen, the theatre and film director Sean Mathias and Eveny Lebedev.
The current building dates from the 1720s and is on the site of a pub built in 1583.
Limehouse, London was first settled as one of the few healthy areas of dry land among the riverside marshes.
By Queen Elizabeth I’s time, it was at the centre of world trade and her explorer Sir Humphrey Gilbert lived there.
From directly below The Grapes pub, Sir Walter Raleigh set sail on his third voyage to the New World.
In 1661, Samuel Pepys’ diary records his trip to lime kilns at the jetty just along from The Grapes.
In 1820, the young Charles Dickens visited his godfather in Limehouse and knew the district well for 40 years.
The Grapes appears, scarcely disguised, in the opening chapter of his novel “Our Mutual Friend”:
“A tavern of dropsical appearance… long settled down into a state of hale infirmity.
It had outlasted many a sprucer public house, indeed the whole house impended over the water but seemed to have got into the condition of a faint-hearted diver, who has paused so long on the brink that he will never go in at all.”
In the back parlour is a complete set of Dickens for further reading.
Other popular writers have been fascinated by Limehouse, including Oscar Wilde in “Dorian Gray”; and Arthur Conan Doyle, who sent Sherlock Holmes in search of opium provided by the local Chinese immigrants.
Narrow Street is also associated with many distinguished painters.
Francis Bacon lived and worked at no 80, Edward Wolfe at no 96. Whistler painted a “nocturne” of Limehouse.
On The Grapes’ walls are an oil painting seen from the Thames by the marine artist Napier Hemy, watercolours of Limehouse Reach by Louise Hardy and “Dickens at The Grapes” by the New Zealand artist Nick Cuthell.
Fortunately, The Grapes survived the Blitz bombing of the Second World War and retains the friendly atmosphere of a “local” for Limehouse residents.
Today, the legendary actor Sir Ian McKellen is co-owner of the pub.
McKellen has played legendary roles on screen, including Gandalf in Lord of the Rings.
Sir Ian was recently a guest on The One Show, and he said that he previously ran the pub’s quiz every Monday.
Speaking on the BBC programme, he said: “I don’t drop in too often, but I’m invariably there for the quiz on a Monday, I used to run the quizzes.
“I used to actually be the Quizmaster and I devised all the quiz questions. It took me a whole day in the week. 40 questions!”
Aside from potentially having a pint with Sir Ian himself, Lord of the Rings fans can see an original prop from the juggernaut movie franchise.
Gandalf’s staff is pride of place behind the bar, pictured above.
What's Inside The Grapes?
A traditional Victorian long bar with a pleasant and welcoming atmosphere, featuring wooden panelled dado and warm burgundy-coloured walls, decorated with oil paintings.
The main bar leads into The Dickens Snug (where the author himself is reputed to have danced on the tables) and facing a small, perfectly appointed heated terrace that hovers over the Thames.
On the first floor is our casual drinking room, overlooking one of the great views of London.
To the left Canary Wharf, and the City of London on the right both sparkling in the potent reflection of the river.
Overlooking the Thames, the pub is situated in a peaceful neighbourhood not that far from the bustle of Canary Wharf
Someone who recently visited the pub said: “This pub has a great feel about it - the food was nice and the staff friendly.
”Good selection of local ales, too. Make sure you explore all levels of the pub with the view varying from each. Nice to see such a quaint pub thriving.
”Great atmosphere. Look carefully to see the LOTR memorabilia tastefully peppered throughout.”
Another person added: “Found this little gem by the river, had lots of history and character. Lovely food and served pretty quick Staff very friendly and lovely
”We enjoyed the view of the Thames from the balcony and would definitely return here.”
If you’d like to visit, the address is: 76, Narrow Street, London E14 8BP.
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