London has some of the finest and oldest watering holes in all of Albion. From crackling fires to crackling pork, here is our ode to ten great little taverns.

If your favourite boozer isn’t here, we want your suggestions pouring in. We were having a good time so we did get a bit carried away, though, so there are a few more then 10 kicking around down here:

Central:

Nell Gwynne Tavern, 2 Bull Inn Court, Strand, WC2R 0NP

Stumble across this little charmer and more than likely you’ll be stumbling back out with good times had. Nestled away down a side alleyway off The Strand, it’s easy enough to miss. It’s also small – with just enough room to swing a yard of ale, but full of character. Beware of the stairs to the toilet, o yea.

The Princess Louise, 208 High Holborn, Holborn, WC1V 7BW

Restored to its original Victorian glory, she is a princess indeed. This is one of London’s few remaining former gin palaces, with etched glass couchettes full of revelry. Get there early; but a great spot to know in this part of town.

Thanks for the tip off: Zoe Giannoulis

Ye Olde Mitre, 1 Ely Court, Ely Place, Holborn, EC1N 6SJ

Quintessentially English. Quintessentially Old. A medieval drinking den of the highest order. Ye Olde Piece of Gold. And bloody hard to find

Eastish:

The Black Friar, 174 Queen Victoria Street, Blackfriars, City of London, EC4V 4EG

Built in 1875, they don’t come much more ornate than this exquisite affair. The walls, encased in marble, are adorned with illustrations of merry monks. That’s exactly what you’ll be if you ever happen to stop by this veritable temple of ale.

Thanks for the tip off: Markus Coleman

Ye Olde Cheshire Cheese, 145 Fleet Street, EC4A 2BU

Rumour has it the likes of Charles Dickens (seemingly every pub claims this, but we believe these chaps) and Voltaire have raised a toast in this rare breed amongst pubs. So we had great expectations. And it didn’t disappoint. Its warren of slender corridors and stairwells, leading you astray to countless bars and dining rooms. When we ventured there a medieval reenactment group were in full swing, boar legs thrown over the shoulder and everything – they looked entirely in place.

Thanks for the tip off: Dave Poulton, Izzy Decauwert, Tom Hoghton and Barry Clarke

Jerusalem Tavern, 55 Britton Street, Clerkenwell, EC1M 5UQ

Wetherspoon’s this is not. Jerusalem has been built on England’s green and pleasant land, ages ago. It’s full of creaky crooks and crannies with an outstanding array of real ales on tap. Top staff too.

Thanks for the tip off: Andrew Gough and Jenny Rose.

North:

Holly Bush, 22 Hollymount, Hampstead, NW3 6SG

This is the sort of pub you go to with a group of old friends after a walk round the Heath, and get stuck into Timothy Taylor and a game of Risk on a lazy Sunday (boardgames supplied). There’s a fire to keep you cosy and dining rooms if you fancy something more formal.

Thanks for the tip off: Jessica Greedus, Raheela Amirally, Jeni Matthewman, Owen Lloyd, Lucy O’Shea and Gareth Evans.

Sir Richard Steele, 97 Haverstock Hill, Belsize Park, NW3 4RL

This pub has more curiosities and oddities than Pollock’s Toy  Museum (see below). It’s a bric-a-brac store with charisma galore, making it one of the more eccentric pubs on our list. Plus there’s a great beer garden for the summer.

Thanks for the tip off: David Smith and Peter Plebias.

West:

The Grenadier, 18 Wilton Row, Belgravia, London, SW1X 7NR

The ivy-clad Grenadier is tucked away down a cobbled mews close to Hyde Park Corner. With its very own sentry box on the outside, inside it’s dark, tiny and charming. Filled with Wellington memorabilia, bayonets and military trinkets, this place is as patriotic as they come. And its Bloody Marys are rightly infamous.

Thanks for the tip off: Vicente Velasco-Hertel and Chip Lamb.

Windsor Castle, 114 Campden Hill Road, Notting Hill, W8 7AR

This wood panelled wonder is also possessor of one of West London’s finest beer gardens. The pub’s split up into three sections, each with a wooden partition separating it, which you properly have to bend down to your knees to get through. It’s like Pat Sharp’s House of Fun with less twins, less mullets and more booze. It is believed that the panelling comes from an old wooden ship, though there’s no real evidence for this. Food’s fantastic too.

Thanks for the tip off: Sam Collison

The Dove, 19 Upper Mall, Hammersmith, W6 9TA

Believed to be the pub where ‘Rule Britannia’ was written, you can see why.  This gem, dating back to the 17th century, is a real winner for the summer with alfresco dining right on the Thames. Inside it’s a quaint, wooden, affair – very nautical in feel. The Dove’s believed to be in possession of the smallest bar in England, though thankfully there’s more than one.

Thanks for the tip off: James Butterworth, Shane McNamara, Tina Scuse, Elena Munari, Ciorsdan Glass, Ashley Cartmel and Duarte Cavalinhos

South:

The George Inn, George Inn Yard, 77 Borough High Street, Southwark, SE1 1NH

London’s last remaining galleried coaching inn, dating from 1676, and now justifiably owned by the National Trust. Grade I listed, it features a restaurant in what were the old bedrooms and a range of right old real ales. True vintage.

The Crown & Greyhound, 73 Dulwich Village, SE21 7BJ

Known to its friends as ‘The Dog’, this old pub is massive. But unlike its kind, it’s somehow not become a Harvester – and remains a great big little place. There is literally always something going on, from quizzes to perry evenings to life drawing; it’s a charming local in a lovely bit of town that’s kept its old school grandeur and soul. There were once two pubs here, The Crown for the labourers and The Greyhound for the gentry. Thankfully they are now united in this Grade II listed winner. Also in possession of a fine beer garden.

More glorious great little venues next week. Remember to follow us on Twitter: http://twitter.com/glpLondon