The Crown

Situated at 51 New Oxford Street on the corner of Museum Street, The Crown is a classic Victorian tavern located at the gateway to historic Bloomsbury. Just a two-minute walk from the British Museum, our Grade II listed pub offers a peaceful, traditional retreat away from the hustle and bustle of Central London.

The Transformation of New Oxford Street

The story of 51 New Oxford Street begins in the mid-19th century. Prior to the 1840s, this area was notorious as the “St Giles Rookery”—a dense, labyrinthine maze of narrow alleyways and overcrowded tenements famous in Victorian lore.

In 1847, London city planners constructed New Oxford Street to connect High Holborn directly with Oxford Street. Designed as a grand Victorian boulevard, the new street was lined with handsome multi-storey brick and stone buildings intended for commercial shops and public houses. Built around 1850, The Crown was established as an anchor tavern for the newly opened thoroughfare, serving locals, market traders, and visitors to nearby museums and lecture halls.

A Haven for Intellectuals, Artists & Museum-Goers

Given its position directly opposite Museum Street—the historic approach to the British Museum—The Crown quickly became a favored gathering spot for a rich tapestry of London characters:

Scholars & Antiquarians: For over 170 years, researchers, archaeologists, and academics visiting the British Museum’s famous Reading Room have crossed the street to discuss history and debate ideas over a pint.
Bloomsbury’s Literary Circle: As the surrounding neighborhood developed into London’s intellectual heartland in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, the pub served as a quiet meeting place for writers, publishers, and journalists working in nearby printing houses.
Cab Drivers & London Commuters: Located near busy transport arteries, the tavern long served as a classic London stopping point, welcoming cabbies, shoppers, and travelers threading between Covent Garden and Bloomsbury.

Architectural Heritage & Victorian Character

The Crown stands as a remarkable surviving example of mid-Victorian pub architecture. The exterior features classic London stock brickwork, elegant stone window surrounds, and traditional ground-floor pub frontage with gilded signage.

Inside, the pub preserves the timeless feel of 19th-century hospitality:

Traditional Wood Panelling: Rich timber-panelled walls, warm dark wood bars, and brass fittings that reflect the golden glow of period lighting.
Distinct Multi-Room Feel: Cosy nooks and seating areas that offer privacy for quiet conversation, structured in the classic Victorian pub layout.
First-Floor Dining: An airy, comfortable upper dining area with large sash windows overlooking the bustling corner of New Oxford Street and Museum Street.

Sensitive Restoration by Samuel Smith

When Samuel Smith Old Brewery acquired The Crown, they committed to stripping back modern modifications to highlight the building’s authentic architectural bones.

In keeping with the brewery’s passion for historic preservation, modern jukeboxes, slot machines, TV screens, and background music were removed. The interior was restored to showcase original woodwork, classic etched glass, and timeless furnishings, creating a pub where history and conversation come first.

Experience The Crown Today

Whether you are finishing a tour of the British Museum, shopping along Oxford Street, or looking for a quiet drink in Bloomsbury, The Crown provides a genuine, traditional pub experience:

Classic Pub Food: Enjoy a menu of honest, traditional pub dishes cooked fresh and served daily in both the main bar and upper dining area.
A Digital-Free Sanctuary: True to Samuel Smith tradition, our pub offers a quiet atmosphere free from screen distractions—ideal for unwinding, reading, or enjoying good company.
Authentic Drinks: Sample Samuel Smith’s renowned range of Yorkshire cask ales, organic lagers, stouts, cider, fruit beers, wines, and spirits.

Step inside, find a quiet corner, and enjoy a drink in the heart of historic London.