There’s no avoiding the spooky season!

Each year, it gets bigger and better here in the UK, and by this time of the month, seasonal decorations are everywhere. Whether that’s simply embracing the colours and produce of the season with pumpkins dressing shop windows or homes preparing for trick-or-treaters by covering their exteriors with ghoulish decorations.

But what about the adults? Well, here’s an activity that we think is great for this time of the year…. A pub crawl to some of the best historic pubs in East London. Venues that date back centuries and have eerie stories that would would be perfect for retelling around a campfire!

Let’s start with the most obvious (and, quite possibly, the best one!)…

The Prospect of Whitby
London’s oldest riverside pub dating back to 1520, The Prospect of Whitby was a regular spot for smugglers, thieves and pirates and famously still has the original hanging rope out the back that was used for exactly these types of people! If that doesn’t give you the creeps, I don’t know what will!

Famous visitors to the establishment include Charles Dickens, Samuel Pepys, Judge Jeffries and artists Whistler and Turner and there are plenty of original design features that remain including a ship mast.

As you can guess from its connection with pirates, it’s located on the River Thames and is now loved just as much for its beautiful views over the River.

The Gun, Isle of Dogs
This Grade II listed building located on the docklands doesn’t just boast incredible views, but it is simply full of character inside and out. Perfectly combining the best of the old and the new, you’ll love the original features and traditional decor as much as the incredible standard of food and drink that they deliver here.

The Town of Ramsgate
This pub, dating back to 1545, is the perfect place to bring family and friends and even your pet dog! Enjoy seasonal produce turned into delicious meals and experience excellent service from the team who proudly run the place. Whilst this may not be a spooky experience, the original features – the beams, the benches, the beautiful panelling – create a cosy nook ideal for an autumnal evening.

Dickens Inn, St Katherine’s Dock
Originally built in the 1700s as either a brewery or a teahouse, it was later converted into a local tavern.

It was later rebuilt 70 metres east of the original spot, moving all 120 tonnes of the original structure to make space for a housing development. They have retained as many of the original features as they could – within safety regulations – and it still feels like you could be sitting in the 18th century whilst there.

Dickens Inn isn’t just a historical venue; it’s also a great spot for a family meal, watching sports, or enjoying a post-work pint.

The Grapes
This 500-year-old pub on Narrow Street is owned by the legend Sir Ian McKellen, theatre and film director Sean Mathias, and Evgeny Lebedev, publisher of the Evening Standard newspaper. Its fascinating history and connection to many individuals in the arts have been written about in detail (by McKellen) here.

This adult-only establishment features a distinguished bar serving traditional ales and food and is loved for its Monday night quiz, which McKellen used to host! If you’re looking for a no-frills, super traditional-style pub and an ideal spot for the dark, cold evenings, The Grapes is for you.