The Widow's Son, London

The Widow's Son is a traditional pub in East London situated at the corner of Devons Road, distinguished by its blue-painted exterior and period architectural details. The establishment occupies a Grade II listed building that preserves its original 19th-century character with Victorian-era features throughout the interior and facade.

The establishment was built around 1848 on the site of a former cottage where a widow waited for her naval son to return from the sea. The pub's name and character are rooted in this story of waiting and maritime connection that shaped the building's identity from its origins.

The pub maintains a link to the sea through an annual Good Friday ceremony where Royal Navy sailors place a hot cross bun in a net above the bar. This practice reflects how maritime workers have shaped the character of the place over many generations.

The pub occupies a traditional building with multiple rooms and seating areas across different levels, creating varied spaces for visitors to sit and relax. The interior layout accommodates both quick visits and longer stays, and the shelter provided makes it suitable for London's frequently wet and chilly weather.

Dozens of preserved hot cross buns hang from the ceiling in a net, with some dating back several decades and serving as a tangible record of this continuous practice. This unusual collection has grown naturally over time and is now the most visible symbol of the place.

Location: London Borough of Tower Hamlets

GPS coordinates: 51.52220,-0.01801

Latest update: December 9, 2025 18:49