The Ten Bells, Spitalfields
If ever there was a hostelry that has stood as a marker from the past and witnessed sweeping changes over the centuries it is The Ten Bells in Spitalfields.
A public housed has stood on the site since the middle of the 18th century but the current incarnation was built sometime after 1851 by local brewers Truman Hanbury & Buxton. From the arrival of the railway at nearby Liverpool Street Station in 1874, Jack the Ripper’s reign of terror, the industrial revolution, the effects of two World Wars, closure of Spitalfields Markets, the Yuppie boom of the 1980s to gentrification this pub has seen it all.
Although its name has changed many times throughout its life; often relating to the number of bells in situ at neighbouring Hawksmoor’s Christ Church and a vile period as The Jack the Ripper from 1976 – 1988 due to some of his victims relationship with the pub, its essence has remained the same. For hundreds of years people have come to drown sorrows, toast triumphs and meet friends or colleagues in a convivial (often raucous) atmosphere. That tradition continues in perpetuity.
East Londoners, thirsty Essex dwellers, having a pint before pulling out of Liverpool Street, and tourists that have visited all hold this marvellous pub in the highest of regard. It’s worth visiting alone just for the tiles which are a wonderful example of fine artistry and craftmanship. Two walls feature a piercing blue and white floral patterns which look majestic against the stripped back bare-bones look of the rest of the pub. There are also two beautiful murals of painted tiles. One from the 19th century of yesteryear entitled Spitalfields in ye Olden Time set in a weavers shop commemorating the areas history and other Spitalfields in Modern Times featuring a 21st century scene. They need to be seen in the flesh to be fully appreciated.
Renovations in 2010 restored the pub to its original Victorian splendour with a central island bar replacing the poles and stage once cavorted on by strippers until the 1990s. A second floor above provides further space for thirsty and hungry punters and a trip down to the toilets in the cellar, heading into the bowels of the building, gives keen observers a snapshot of stepping into the Victorian past.
A pub that is always heaving minutes after opening its doors every day this Grade II listed treasure will be around continuing East London’s fine pub going traditions for centuries to come. Pop along at five o’clock on any weekday when the local offices finish for the day to witness the charged Spitalfields bubbly atmosphere in full flight.
