The Lamb & Flag

The Lamb dates back to 1623, when the house speciality was bare-knuckle fighting – hence its former name, The Bucket Of Blood. Today, you’ll need to fight your way through the post-work crowds in the cobbled yard, but persevere & the reward is an interior that packs a pleasing punch: a creaky, slightly shambolic low-beamed room, whose wall hangings afford a lesson in social history. Courage Best, Bombardier & Young’s Best or Director’s join ciders & a fair selection of wines. Upstairs, the delightfully rickety Dryden Room (named after the Restoration poet, who was nearly beaten to death by would-be assassins in the pub’s alleyway in 1679) dispenses traditional English comfort food.