Crown and Anchor
Old Brewers Yard
A three minute walk from Covent Garden station
London ultra-
The Crown and Anchor pub was originally built as a flagship pub for Combe & Co., an historic London brewery. It served as a "tied house," meaning it exclusively sold beer brewed right across the street.
While the current building bears the date 1904, a pub has existed on this exact spot since at least 1811.
"The Crown & Anchor" was a common patriotic pub name of the time, chosen to celebrate the union of the British Monarchy (the Crown) and the nation's maritime and naval strength (the Anchor).
In the 18th and 19th centuries, this entire block was one of the largest porter and ale breweries in London, and the brewing connection continues today with the buildings now being part of the Guinness empire.