Angel Islington Pubs

The first of a two part exploration of historic pubs in London's district of Islington. This instalment focusing on the south of Islington, the area known as Angel, which fittingly takes its name from a pub!
As always we'll be looking at a handful of pubs, examining their exteriors, interiors, and talking a bit about their history.
Tamil Crown (formerly Charles Lamb)
whatpub.com/pubs/NLD/5526/tam...
pubheritage.camra.org.uk/pubs...
londonwiki.co.uk/LondonPubs/I...
Island Queen
whatpub.com/pubs/NLD/5525/isl...
pubheritage.camra.org.uk/pubs...
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Isl...
historicengland.org.uk/listin...
londonwiki.co.uk/LondonPubs/I...
Camden Head
whatpub.com/pubs/NLD/5527/cam...
pubheritage.camra.org.uk/pubs...
historicengland.org.uk/listin...
londonwiki.co.uk/LondonPubs/I...
Angelic
whatpub.com/pubs/NLD/5399/ang...
pubheritage.camra.org.uk/pubs...
londonwiki.co.uk/LondonPubs/I...
Old Red Lion
whatpub.com/pubs/ELC/14721/ol...
pubheritage.camra.org.uk/pubs...
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Old...
londonwiki.co.uk/LondonPubs/C...
historicengland.org.uk/listin...
www.oldredliontheatre.co.uk/r...
Chapters:
0:00 Intro
0:59 Tamil Crown (formerly Charles Lamb)
4:21 Island Queen
7:18 Camden Head
10:56 Angelic
13:38 Old Red Lion
19:08 Outro

[@TweedyPubs]

CORRECTION! Anyone interested in the origin of the name "Camden Passage" and relatedly Camden Walk / Camden Street, Camden Head; it seems the information I presented in the video was incorrect. As a quick recap it appears Camden Street came first - at some point in the 1760s - and Camden Passage took that name later on, perhaps in the 1830s (that was the earliest newspaper mention I found of it), presumably taking that name simply because one end of it meets with Camden Street. To add to the confusion Camden Street was subsequently renamed Camden Walk... but the point is the first use of "Camden" in the immediate area was Camden Street in 1760-something. Pinning down the exact year is quite important though. I read "Streets with a Story: The Book of Islington" by Eric A. Willats, and that gave the date of Camden Street at 1760. I assumed that to be correct, and that was the key piece of evidence that made me think it couldn't have anything to do with Charles Pratt, given that the title "Baron Camden" wasn't created for him until 1765. However, I searched through some old newspapers again just now, to find the earliest occurrence of "Camden Street", and in Jackson's Oxford Journal, 2nd November 1765, I found the following in their London section (which carries a date of October 31): "The new Street now building near Mr. Pullen's farm, at Islington, is on a Piece of Ground belonging to Mr Rosoman, the Master of Sadler's Wells, and is to be called Camden Street, out of Compliment to the celebrated Chief Justice of that Name, who is so highly, and so deservedly esteemed in this kingdom. " So there you have it! Coincidentally in 1765 Thomas Rosoman also had the theatre at Sadler's Wells rebuilt. It is worth noting that the earlier Camden's Head on Mint Street in Southwark, mentioned in the 1740s, must have taken its name from somewhere else. So at least that one might have been named for William Camden... but it seems this one in Camden likely followed the name of the street it was on, and therefore directly or indirectly is named for Charles Pratt.

[@TweedyPubs]

I have added this to wikipedia: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Camden_Passage

[@kevinpayne3482]

Love history, love beer, love pubs! You combine the best of all 3. Cheers! From Lewiston New York usa 🇺🇸

[@algonzales1809]

Cracking way to start the weekend with another superb tour. I look forward to these jaunts and Tweedy's expert commentary. I do wish that so many pubs would avoid going to these ghastly light paint color schemes on the walls, it's very off putting and makes one feel they are in a bakery shop rather than a cozy boozer. Hopefully, this is just a temporary trend and the proprietors come to their senses. Strange as it may sound, I long for the days of smoke stained walls, hand pulled pints and the only food on offer being a ham and cheese toasty. I suspect that Tweedy may feel the same as well as some of the viewers lol.

[@TweedyPubs]

Thank you, and yes you're definitely in good company with wanting to go back to those days of less garish pub interiors!

[@Thefisherman27]

Back in the 80's,I was in the island queen and the actor Frank Finlay swanned in wearing a black Cape and large black hat.What a lovey and what a night we had with him.Great pub.

[@TweedyPubs]

He sounds like a character, and the Island Queen is definitely quite a theatrical setting!

[@colinbarnes1501]

I used to drink in the Island Queen in the early 1980s. In those days the ceiling was hung with huge caricature puppets/models of various politicians and well known others. It was quite a place to be seen.

[@earinsound]

weird…maybe? was just messaging with my friend in the UK today about the band Coil, who worked with Derek Jarman…their album…The Angelic Conversation (!!) is so amazing. and then i saw your video. ok maybe a synchronicity stretch! anyway…at least watch Jarman’s Jubilee.

[@suecondon1685]

The Angelic!! I've always wondered about that peculiar and faintly creepy fountain downstairs by the loos. Never seen anything like that before!

[@lespattison704]

I really like your tours of London pubs. I live in New Zealand and our pubs are crap. I have been to London 10 times and pub crawed lots ot amazing pubs. You have rekindle my memories of those trips. I like English pubs so much that I built one at my house along with a brewery. I can now enjoy Real Ale in my home. I have 3 hand pulled Ales. Please keep up your vlogs.

[@liamkatt6434]

I have done the same here in Canada, just a pub, not a brewery.

[@paulpowis5914]

The Old Red Lion gives me PTSD. Working there was like trying to get a fix into a bowl of custard. Another cracking upload Tweedy.

[@TweedyPubs]

Oh no sorry to hear that! It was really quiet on my visit, but yes I can imagine when there's a game on downstairs (or a show on upstairs) it might get a bit crazy.

[@liamkatt6434]

In 1993 I was sitting having a drink with Sue Townsend in The Island Queen. We were there because it had been Joe Orton's favourite pub. A gentleman came in with a large German Shepherd. He asked if we would move further down the bench seat as where we were sitting was apparently his dog's favourite seat. He was small but the dog was very large. We moved and it jumped up and lay down. The man turned to Sue and said 'I know you!' She smiled and said 'You might have seen me.' He nodded and said 'You work a night shift in the factory don't you?'

[@richard8331]

I leave London for a week and Tweedy is reviewing pubs on my street, sad to see the loss of the Charles Lamb, probably the best Tweedy style pub in the area.

[@TweedyPubs]

Haha - sorry about the timing, not intentional I assure you! Yes, sad about the Charles Lamb. I had been to a couple of the other pubs in this video before, but I don't think I had ever been to the Charles Lamb. It was "on my radar" and I remember years ago thinking it might be my sort of thing, but I never got round to going there when it was still 100% a pub. Definitely a lesson learned there to not put these things off as some pubs won't be around forever!

[@markjohnathanappleton8642]

Great work as always, keep up the great work

[@Triplen01]

Wasn't expecting this so soon after recommending Islington in your previous video! Great job, looking forward to the second half

[@jimrichardson5849]

Excellent tour as usual ….love these Tweedy v8d#

[@gauky75]

I really enjoy these videos. I’m heading down to London from Yorkshire in June and I’ve already a list far too long of pubs to try and visit.

[@TweedyPubs]

Thank you! Yes so many pubs in London... If I had to pick just one area I would always go for Holborn: The Seven Stars, The Cittie of Yorke and Ye Old Mitre.

[@gauky75]

@@TweedyPubs Thanks I might just do that. Although I do like the look of The Cheshire Cheese on Fleet St from one of your previous videos.

[@frasegfunk9790]

Great stuff Tweedy! Loving this channel old boy! I had 4 London historic pub crawls last year and one in January this year, next one will be in March, you are an inspiration sir and very informative, thank you so much 👍🏻

[@TweedyPubs]

Thank you! Really glad the channel is providing some inspiration!

[@GDanzig777]

Watching once again whilst sitting in a Wetherspoons and ticking off their London Festival Beers. It’s a shame so many pubs go down the Gastro eg Farrow and Ball paint route. Never mind showing Sports or playing Music, except live bands in the evening. Nevertheless another well crafted insight into the history of these pubs. Thank you for your time and dedication. Very much appreciated 👍

[@garrymartin6474]

Lord Marples is a quite well thought of beer where I live, it is brewed a few miles up the road in Bakewell, Derbyshire by the Thornbridge Brewery.

[@TweedyPubs]

I thought it was good - always happy to see any kind of bitter on the bar these days!

[@elvis197797]

Excellent cluster of pubs tweedy and your usual excellent commentary and interesting history behind the said boozers thanks!! ❤ don’t forget to add Richmond, Wimbledon and Salisbury to your list for a future visit if your able 😊

[@TweedyPubs]

Thank you! Yes definitely a long list of places still to visit...

[@johnthresher259]

Tweedy, you are indeed the John Rogers of pubs! I'm sure you're aware of his channel. For those not it's well worth a look.

[@theflourishing]

I once took a very pleasant afternoon walk between Camden Lock and Islington along Regent's Canal Towpath (it takes just under an hour to do)

[@johncoulter3218]

I think the cautiously suggested possibility that Camden Walk/Street may be named after William Camden the historian can be discounted except in so far as he lurks behind the Camden peerage titles of the Pratt family who owned and developed land here. The Pratt family lived at Camden Place, Chislehurst, the former home of William Camden the historian and adopted his name as a peerage title and thus it came to be applied to their development.

[@Nils_Martin]

Looking forward to part 2 🍺🍻

[@TweedyPubs]

Me too!

[@mitchelluk1445]

Videos are getting better and better mate. Earls court soon?

[@TweedyPubs]

Thank you! Yes I should head out that way some time soon - any favourite pubs in that part of town?

[@robcoles8493]

Ive been to the camden head and a few more up there and i never took to the area or its pubs. Interesting insights there Tweedy - so thanks.

[@TweedyPubs]

Thanks Rob. I agree to be honest, Islington is a part of London I don't seem to be able to warm to either - I can't even put my finger on why exactly.

[@andrewdolinskiatcarpathian]

I chuckled when you debunked the estate agent written tosh about the origins of Camden Passage. 👏👏😂 Umm, I always wondered if those Green King pub specific ales were generic. Another interesting video of an eclectic group of pubs. Brilliant stuff 👏👏👍🍺😀

[@TweedyPubs]

Thanks Andrew! I didn't want to pick on the estate agents per se, but it was surprising that when I Googled for the origin of the name of Camden Passage I couldn't find any credible answers - just lots of unfounded guesses like that. Obviously I make guesses sometimes too but it's important to make it clear when it is just a guess! Even the book on local Islington history ("Streets With a Story") didn't give an explanation. It's surprising as it is such a well known street, what with the antique market etc, but it seems nobody knows why it has Camden in the name!

[@andrewdolinskiatcarpathian]

@@TweedyPubs Verifying historical accuracy is increasingly getting more difficult. The trusted sources are being swamped by so much online twaddle. Thank you for sharing your historical research in such an engaging fashion.

[@WC21UKProductionsLtd]

I watched this earlier today, at a prehistoric cairn/possible destroyed stone circle. Like you do. Some nice interiors again. Sad that the Charles Lamb has recently lost some. I thought the trend of converting pubs to Indians had passed, but apparently not. What about that Estate Agent - idiot! They’re always just making history up to sell houses! Once again, this is a thoroughly researched production. A lot of work and a very interesting watch.

[@TweedyPubs]

Thank you! ...and I hope that didn't come across as estate agent bashing! I suspect they had just copied and pasted that from somewhere else, and superficially it does sound like a vaguely reasonable derivation for the name. Surprisingly I couldn't find anywhere online which attempts to properly explain why Camden Passage (or the pub on it) has the name "Camden" in it. Another site said even less convincingly "Camden Passage gets its name from being a pedestrian thoroughfare located in Islington"...!? HOWEVER! Stop press, I did another search in old newspapers just now on a whim and it seems Camden Street may have been after Charles Pratt after all. I doubt anyone watching this video particularly cares, but I'll add a pinned comment to that effect for posterity.

[@WC21UKProductionsLtd]

@@TweedyPubs there’s probably a project in researching made up historic anecdotes in property listings! Or maybe even a KZbin channel!

[@thekentishpilgrim]

Ah yes, the old red lion theatre pub not to be confused with the red lion theatre pub up the road.. Anyway, that’s a real shame about the Charles Lamb, was always my favourite pub around those parts. At least The Island Queen is still going strong. Cheers!

[@lawrencelewis2592]

I've been in every one of these pubs when on vacation from Canada. I will be back this May

[@TweedyPubs]

It sounds like you probably know Islington's pubs better than I do - despite not living very far away, this actually isn't a part of London I visit very often... but I was pleasantly surprised when making this video that there are some really nice interiors and some interesting history too.

[@lawrencelewis2592]

@@TweedyPubs I have a 'Fancy a Pint" pub guidebook grouping pubs by tube stops. I wrote down every one I've been in, the date and what beer I had. I've been to most around Angel but there are still a few to visit in that area. I'll check them off in the book as I do them. Lookkng forward to it!

[@apuldram]

Rather jolly.

[@TweedyPubs]

Watching it back myself I thought I was in a much more jolly mood for the last pub (filmed the next day) than the previous ones - must have been that bit of blue sky!

[@stevieb5436]

Great historic pub reviews. inspiring to visit some and quaff some real ale too. Hope the channel thrives. Where do you shop for your tweed type suits, like the style ?

[@TweedyPubs]

Thank you! Most of my tweed suits are from Walker Slater, they have shops in London and Edinburgh and also online.

[@simonlatham552]

Thanks for the super episode. At 9.00 you show two wooden boxes to the right of a bell on the wall. I'm guessing the box in the middle is the bell actuator but what is the one on the right with the nine holes in it? Some kind of light box maybe?

[@TweedyPubs]

CAMRA's pub heritage site says: "Note the old bell pushes on the right hand wall - do these indicate fixed seating lined the wall until 1969 or are they additions from 1969?". I don't know any more about it than that, but it did look intriguing.

[@ricardodelmunda6363]

Off to London next week Tweedy What’s your favourite real ale pub in the city. Fo atmosphere and selection of ales Great videos keep them coming 👍

[@TweedyPubs]

Thanks Ricardo! Ye Old Mitre, although technically a Fuller's pub, does seem to have a fair amount of free rein with its beer selection and usually has a few interesting guest ales on. I love the atmosphere there, but it's a tiny pub and at busy times it can be a bit overrun. Only open Monday to Friday though!

[@ricardodelmunda6363]

Will give it a visit Tweedy 👍

[@Maitreya0208]

@TweedyPubs If you find yourself in Clerkenwell, please review The Holy Tavern at 55 Briton street. I’d like to see your take on the place. The pub itself (until recently The Jerusalem Tavern) is relatively recent, dating from the 1990’s, but the space itself is very old. I’m interested in seeing what ales and wines they have on offer.

[@TweedyPubs]

I have covered it! It's in the Smithfields video: kzbin.info/www/bejne/qX_WaXakppiEpbc

[@Maitreya0208]

@@TweedyPubs How did I miss that? Thanks very much!

[@markstill515]

I would never be able to afford drinking in London no Matter chow interesting each pub is, the working classes are now priced out of pubs.