12/10/2023
Once upon a time in merry ol' London, there stood a pub with a name so ancient, it could make even a Scrabble champion scratch their head - Ye Olde Cheshire Cheese. This charming establishment, affectionately referred to as "Ye Olde Cheese" by the locals, has a history as rich and full-bodied as the finest ale it serves.
In the wild and wacky '80s, a time of neon, leg warmers, and questionable hairstyles, Ye Olde Cheshire Cheese found itself in the loving embrace of Sam Smiths. It was a match made in pub heaven, a bit like Sam Smiths' meeting with Ye Olde Cheshire Cheese was written in the stars, or perhaps, etched on a bar napkin.
Now, picture this: Oliver Smith, a distant relative of Sam Smiths (or so the legend goes), once graced this establishment. He had a peculiar habit of instructing the landlady to show a certain Nicholas the time of day. Maybe Nicholas had misplaced his wristwatch, or perhaps Oliver just had an obsession with punctuality that could rival a Swiss watchmaker. Either way, it added a dash of mystery to the place.
The charm of Ye Olde Cheshire Cheese isn't just in its old-timey name but in its location too. Tucked away on a Dickensian side street, it's a bit like a secret clubhouse for those in the know. And that street name! It boasts both a "Ye" and an extraneous "e," just to keep you on your toes. Who could resist the allure of such linguistic quirkiness?
Now, let's take a trip back in time to 1538 when Shakespeare was strutting his stuff in ruffled collars, and Henry VIII was practicing his marital skills. Back then, there was another pub on the same spot called the Horn. But alas, like many things in London, it fell victim to a fiery temper, courtesy of the Great Fire of 1666. But you can't keep a good pub down, and it was resurrected the very next year to become the iconic Fleet Street landmark we adore today.
Step inside Ye Olde Cheshire Cheese, and you'll find history seeping from every nook and cranny, much like spilled beer in a rowdy pub. The vaulted cellars have a past that traces back to a 13th-century Carmelite monastery, adding a touch of divine intervention to your drinking experience. And when it comes to famous patrons, this pub has seen it all. From Alfred Lord Tennyson crafting verses to Sir Arthur Conan Doyle penning mysteries, and from Mark Twain spinning tales to PG Wodehouse sprinkling humor - it's a celebrity lineup that could rival the Oscars.
But wait, there's more! Voltaire might have sipped a drink here, Princess Margaret could have had a royal giggle, and Winston Churchill probably polished off a cigar or two. So, next time you step into Ye Olde Cheshire Cheese, remember, you're not just having a pint, you're sharing a drink with history and a quirky cast of characters that even Shakespeare would envy. Cheers to Ye Olde Cheese, the pub where even the ghosts have a good time!
