Princess Louise, Victorian pub in Holborn, England
Princess Louise is a Victorian pub in Holborn with ornate interior details dating from the 1800s. The space features wooden panels, etched mirrors, brass fixtures, and separate drinking areas divided by mahogany partitions creating distinct rooms.
The building opened in 1872 and underwent major renovation in 1891 that created its current layout with a central island bar. This restructuring established the design that visitors see today.
The pub served as a gathering place for folk musicians during the British folk revival of the late 1950s and early 1960s. Musicians would meet here to share ideas and perform, making it part of that musical era.
The pub sits near the British Museum and is operated by Samuel Smith Brewery. Access to the interior is straightforward, though the establishment maintains strict rules against mobile phones and recorded music to preserve its character.
The men's restrooms are clad in marble and hold their own separate Grade II listing as a protected building. This recognition shows how much care was taken to preserve even the smallest spaces within the pub.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
