A merry band of Fletchers assembled for a sun‑soaked day of strolling, nibbling, sipping, and learning — in roughly equal measure. Spirits were high, the weather was kind, and the cheese was plentiful. What more could anyone want?

Stop 1: The Walrus and the Carpenter

Our adventure began at The Walrus and the Carpenter, a pub named after the characters from Lewis Carroll’s Through the Looking-Glass. Tweedledum and Tweedledee recited the poem to Alice — and we recited our drink orders to the bar staff with similar enthusiasm.

Cheese Fact 1: The Philpot Lane Mice

Cheddar in hand, we gathered around London’s tiniest public sculpture: the mysterious Philpot Lane Mice.

Legend says two construction workers argued over a nibbled cheese sandwich, each blaming the other, until the scuffle sent them tumbling to their doom. Only later did they discover the true culprits: mice.

A tragic tale… but an excellent excuse for more cheese.

 Stop 2: The Hung, Drawn and Quartered

Our second pub was the delightfully named Hung, Drawn and Quartered.

Before it poured pints, this building served as a bank — and before that, it was part of Christ’s Hospital, a school founded in 1552 for poor children.

We honoured its long history by responsibly sampling its beer.

Pepys, Parmesan & Seething Lane

Next, we wandered to Seething Lane, where we found a bust of Samuel Pepys.

Here, during the Great Fire of London, Pepys and Sir W. Pen famously buried their valuables — including Pepys’ precious Parmesan cheese.

If burying cheese in a garden isn’t dedication, nothing is.

 Stop 3: The Crosse Keys

Our third pub, The Crosse Keys, takes its name from an inn dating back to the 1550s. Its sign refers to the Keys of Heaven held by St Peter — and its courtyard once hosted performances by Shakespeare’s own troupe, the Chamberlain’s Men.

We didn’t perform any plays, but we did perform admirably at the bar.

Stop 4: The Jamaica Wine House

Onward to the Jamaica Wine House — the site of London’s very first coffee stall in 1652. A place where Londoners once discovered caffeine… and where some discovered that switching from beer to wine mid‑walk is a bold choice.

 Final Stop: The Bell

Our last pub, The Bell, is one of the rare survivors of the Great Fire of London — astonishing, considering Pudding Lane is just around the corner.

Now Grade II listed, it dates from around 1600, though it was spruced up in the Victorian era.

We toasted its survival with great enthusiasm.