Learn about the history of
One of London's Oldest Pubs
Tucked away on charming Lamb’s Conduit Street in the heart of Bloomsbury, our beautiful pub, The Lamb, has been part of the neighbourhood for almost 300 years. Dating back to the 1720s, this historic pub is packed with stories, character and timeless charm, from its beautifully preserved interiors to its deep-rooted connections with the literary and theatrical life of London. Whether you’re settling in for a pint beneath the dark wood panelling or admiring the Victorian details around the bar, we remain one of Bloomsbury’s most treasured pubs.
While Georgian in origin, we’re best known for the striking Victorian features that still define the pub today. Rich dark wood panelling, etched glass and ornate detailing transport guests straight back to nineteenth-century London, while the pub’s famous “snob screens” remain one of our most talked-about features. These rare hinged glass partitions, now among the few surviving examples in London, were originally designed to give drinkers a little privacy from both staff and fellow patrons.
The pub and the street itself both take their name from William Lamb, a Tudor benefactor who helped fund repairs to the nearby Holborn Conduit in the sixteenth century, bringing fresh water into the area long before The Lamb first opened its doors.
For centuries, The Lamb has been woven into the creative and intellectual life of Bloomsbury. Charles Dickens is said to have frequented while living nearby, while poets Ted Hughes and Sylvia Plath famously spent time here during the early days of their relationship.
Look closely around the pub and you’ll spot rows of sepia photographs lining the walls, featuring glamorous music hall stars from the Victorian and Edwardian eras. Many were performers from the nearby Empire Theatre who frequented the pub so often that, after the theatre was bombed during World War II, their photographs were donated to us for safekeeping.
You’ll also find one of The Lamb’s most treasured possessions tucked inside: our original late nineteenth-century polyphon music box. Ask the team nicely and we may even play you a tune in exchange for a small charity donation.