Tube Stations Named After Pubs: Royal Oak & Swiss Cottage

The London Underground is the oldest system of its kind in the world, with a history that stretches all the way back to 1863.
Compared to many of the city's pubs though, it's a mere youngster! Many of London's pubs date back several centuries... so it's perhaps no surprise then that a number of tube stations are named after them.
In this video we're going to begin exploring the stories behind these pubs, plus of course the histories of the stations with which they're associated.
This is part 1 of 3; we'll be looking at two locations per episode, so please be sure to stay tuned!
If you haven't yet subscribed to robslondon, it would be wonderful if you could please consider doing so as this will ensure that you do not miss out on future episodes, as well as helping the channel to grow.
And if you do sign up, please be sure to click the bell icon, as this will send you a notification whenever I publish a new video. Likes and shares are also very much appreciated!
As ever, thank you so much to all of you who support this channel with your kind words and comments; they mean so much to me.
I'd love to hear your thoughts on the Swiss Cottage and Royal Oak, as I always enjoy reading your comments, and do my very best to respond to as many as possible.
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Thank you so much for watching, friends. Stay well and please be sure to stay tuned!
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Music used in this video:
Spinning Monkeys (Kevin MacLeod)
Alpine Bierhalle (KZbin Audio Library)
Barroom Ballet (Kevin MacLeod)
Fig Lead Rad- Distressed (Kevin MacLeod)
Umbrella Pants (Kevin MacLeod)
Hammock Fight (Kevin MacLeod)
Magic Forest (Kevin MacLeod)
Jumpin Boogie Woogie by Audionautix is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license. creativecommon...
Artist: audionautix.com/
Pastoral (Asher Fulero)
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[@calimonkey1836]

The Porchester used to be the roughest pub in Queensway. Full of thieves, prostitutes, roughs, old soaks & the entire staff of the Tower Records store in Whiteleys - run by an ever expanding Irish family. I once turned up to find most of the windows put through, chairs & tables smashed, broken glass everywhere, regulars lying all over the place blooded / battered. The whole pub had got into a fight with some travellers.. It was like a battlefield. Did this stop them serving? ..of course not. Coleen served me a pint as she wiped the blood off the optics. You don't get service like that these days. We had a mini Tower reunion there a couple of years ago and it's been completely refurbished. Lost it's edge - but probably for the best.

[@Robslondon]

Blimey....

[@iaindcosta]

..I too am impressed by the Sweeny reference, maybe a theme for another series could be Minder and Sweeny references? I remember the railway tap, but never drank there, I am old enough to remember the Royal Pak, but 9nly just, my mum told me you used to have to cross a bridge over the Westbourne to reach it, but I doubt if anyone can remember that!

[@waynedexter3446]

Hi. Re the tile motifs - The one with 5 birds with no feet are a heraldic device known as Martlets. The 5 birds are the coat of arms attributed to Edward the Confessor. The Background (or field as it is known) was blue -azure and the Martlets were were white - argent . Hope that helps. Wayne

[@Robslondon]

Cheers Wayne 😉

[@maverick4177]

And the rampant horse is Invicta for Kent

[@thetragicyouth]

Can't believe it! 😯My mum often told the story of how she once served John Thaw and Dennis Waterman while they were filming near the pub she worked at - The Railway Tap!!! Now I know it's true, Rob!

[@Robslondon]

That’s brilliant!! You’ve made my day! 😁

[@JulieWallis1963]

Why would you *not* believe her?

[@thetragicyouth]

@@JulieWallis1963 Because she was an incorrigible liar!🤣

[@thfccfht]

Brilliant, more more .... much much more of this, History, Pubs and London.

[@Robslondon]

Many thanks! And there certainly will be; stay tuned 😉

[@patrickpayne8272]

Great post... Thanks...I used to drink in the tiny pub on Sloane Square station....ah!!!!..the old London I loved

[@Robslondon]

Thanks 😊

[@mikereilly5005]

Hi Rob Yet again another great post, you've brought back some really happy memories of the Swiss cottage in the mid 70's when I was an apprentice we had a job in the nearby fitzjohns avenue and every evening we would all have a couple of pints and have the craic before heading off home , a lot of those guys have sadly passed but there are a few left , and I'm going to phone them today for a long overdue catch up. I also had a few in the as it was then the Railway tap, again in the late 70's early 80's, it was a bit shabby then nothing to shout about , but good memories of sharing a pint with my late father, Such a great post stirring up many happy memories Thanks Rob 😊

[@Robslondon]

That's a really moving comment Mike; thank you so much for sharing your memories. Stay well mate.

[@stevenmarkslack]

This video inspired me to visits Swiss Cottage tube station and view those wonderful Art Deco roundels and lamps ❤️ thank you

[@Robslondon]

That's wonderful to hear Steven! Hope you enjoyed your visit :-) Stay well.

[@jwillisbarrie]

Thanks for adding actual captions for the Deaf makes video a pleasure to watch. So much history!

[@Robslondon]

Really appreciate your feedback Jim; thank you. I'm aiming to subtitle as many videos as I can, although I've only just worked out how to do it and it can take a while- so please do bear with me! Thanks again and stay well :-)

[@philrougier5533]

A great collection of fascinating pubs and tube stations. Bravo!

[@Robslondon]

Cheers Phil 😉

[@houzbizness303]

I grew up in London close to Westbourne Park so remember Royal Oak and Westbourne Park well. As a child I would get on at either one of those stations, with my mum, to go and visit my grandmother. We often chose Royal Oak as it felt safer. Swiss Cottage as kids we got on the tube and went swimming there. There must of been something special with the pool. Wave machine, or big, or the deepest. I can't remember. This was in the late 70's, early 80's. We were 9-11 years old, getting on the tube alone, and travelling across London. We even made it over to Elephant & Castle. Can't remember but probably swimming pool there too? Different times 😁

[@Robslondon]

Lovely comment, thanks. I enjoyed reading that :-)

[@michaelpotter4425]

You could organise a pub crawl after the last episode 🍻🍻 great vid as always 👍

[@Robslondon]

Ha ha! What a gathering that would be if all the lovely people in the comments came along! Cheers Michael 😉

[@thewrecker3140]

Mr Potter count me in, what great idea. Robs Dad

[@scottlewisparsons9551]

Unfortunately I live a bit far away to just pop along. I would be there in spirit though!

[@2H80vids]

The research for this one sounds like my dream job. I'd be tempted to expand the series, to include the nearest pub to every tube station. Of course, you'd need footage of each of them, including the interiors.😜 One thing I noticed Rob, re the connection to the Hampshire castle, the town, castle and station are spelt Portchester, with a 𝑻, while the London street and pub don't have the 𝑻.

[@Robslondon]

Thanks! Believe me, I’m thinking of plenty more ways to links tubes and pubs! Good spot with the Porchester name, didn’t notice that

[@charliecoutts3003]

Nice video Rob. The horse rearing up, on the tiles of surrounding counties represents Kent. It's the symbol on the coat of arms, normally with 'Invicta' underneath Latin for undefeated 😊👍

[@Robslondon]

Cheers Charlie!

[@butchknapman3939]

Yet again a video full of interesting information alas could only watch and listen on my small internet cell phone with not the greatest of internet connection in the back waters of Thailand

[@Robslondon]

Thanks so much Butch, it's incredible to think my videos are being seen so far away! Wish I was in Thailand at the moment; the weather here is dreadful! Cheers and stay well.

[@johnsharp8632]

An excellent video Rob and I do hope you are able to expand the series. I have walked past The Swiss Cottage many times without ever going inside and I regret it. The Porchester should surely have maintained its original name for ease of navigation. The platforms of both Swiss Cottage and St John's Wood have always been among my favourites and then there are those lovely escalator uplighters. Superb.

[@Robslondon]

Thanks so much John

[@paulcowell7588]

I can remember when tube stations had pubs on the platforms...its what I thought this video was about..

[@Robslondon]

Sorry Paul!

[@luxford60]

Re the tiles at Swiss Cottage station. The one with the rearing horse is presumably the Kent one, and I think the one with the oak leaves is Surrey.

[@Robslondon]

That’s brilliant Christopher, thanks!

[@alankingvideo]

I think the 5 birds might be sussex, except its suposed to be 6 birds.

[@Robslondon]

@@alankingvideo Interesting; thanks Alan

[@MrGaryjames1]

as before rob cracking work remember to skim by the pumps to let us beer nuts see the ale,keep it up chap

[@Robslondon]

Ha ha, cheers Gary! Will try and do that ;-) Stay well.

[@shirleynitka5030]

thank you for clearing up why a station is called Swiss Cottage- oddest name ever.

[@Robslondon]

Thanks Shirley, glad to help! :-)

[@steverock1182]

Quality my mate, I'm a newbie viewer, look forward to watching more, well done

[@Robslondon]

Cheers Steve! Good to have you here; thanks for the kind words 😉 Stay well.

[@Thirdeariespace]

I spent a little too long trying to find the coats of arms the tiles represented, and this is as far as I got. The top right is definitely the London County Council coat of arms, abolished with the LCC in 1965. The bottom right has to be Kent. For the rest, they seem to be stylised versions of county or city coats of arms, but it's uncertain. The top left MIGHT be an attempt at the coat of arms of Reading. It's not quite accurate, in that case. Bottom left has two of the main elements of the coat of arms of Surrey, which I think indicates that it's referring to that. Bottom middle might be the Westminister School, but that seems to break the pattern. Sussex, minus one of the martlets for some reason?

[@Robslondon]

A brilliant bit of research Johan, thank you!

[@pras12100]

I agree on top right London County, bottom left Surrey County and bottom right Kent. However, Swiss Cottage used to sit on a crossroads (sort of) and I think the bottom middle might be finches for Finchley Road which runs North-South here (hence the vertical lines). The other one (top left) may be an obscure reference to Belsize Road and Belsize Lane which also used to meet here. Hence the horizontal lines (two for road, one for lane). If so, why is there no tile for Avenue Road? That is as far as I have got.

[@Robslondon]

@@pras12100 That’s an incredible analysis Patrick! Thanks so much; great thoughts.

[@hoosiersands]

These tiles were designed by Harold Stabler in the 1930s-he did 18 different tiles. As for the two not yet identified : Top left is Berkshire according to the Transport Museum. Maidenheads I suppose. Bottom middle is Sussex. Some have said this is Westminster as the shield of that City has martlets on the cross but according to a 1939 article in "The Builder" which lists all the tiles and their meaning, it's Sussex. (Thanks Mike Ashworth) BTW the one with seabirds flying over water is the River Thames. Swiss Cottage and St John's Wood are the only stations to retain all 18 Stabler tiles. My favourite is the London Transport griffin.

[@harmlessgrey]

Good news... the Metropolitan has indeed reopened, as the Quiet Night Inn. Had a lovely pint there a few days ago.

[@Robslondon]

That’s great Carol! Thanks for letting me know 😄

[@tonycox5625]

Another great video Rob, really pleased that I found this channel, take care. 👍😊

[@Robslondon]

Thank you so much Tony! Cheers and stay well.

[@catherinesikora8397]

This series is the intersection of two of the best topics related to London: The Tube and Pubs! I love knowing these histories! Thanks, Rob! You do all the hard work so we can look like geniuses when taking people around London!

[@Robslondon]

Ha ha! Thanks so much Catherine ;-)

[@barrywa39]

As always, I really enjoyed this one. They're not areas that I'm familiar with, so it was doubly enjoyable to see other areas. Hope you're having an excellent weekend Rob.

[@Robslondon]

Thanks so much Barry :-) It's been great thanks, yes- hope you're having a good one too. Stay well sir.

[@barrywa39]

@@Robslondon thanks Rob, yes, it's been an excellent weekend.

[@johnclayden1670]

Fascinating! Looking forward to more tips ....

[@Robslondon]

Many thanks John.

[@gr1ff1ngton]

Great video Rob I’m always fascinated by anything underground, particularly man-made stuff that lurks beneath what you think is solid ground. And especially the disused or secret areas that are built over or kept hidden

[@Robslondon]

Thank you so much; I share the same fascination too ;-) Cheers and stay well.

[@hellie_el]

i can’t think of a better signifier of the importance of the pub in londoners’ lives than that there are tube stations named after some of them. thanks, rob, for a wonderful and - as always - charming video.

[@Robslondon]

Thank you so much :-)

[@barrysouthern8493]

Your video about the Royal Oak brought back memories of the Royal Oak cab drivers cafe etc. ,particularly the day the police raided the drug gang !! Be lucky Barry

[@Robslondon]

😉

[@steveellis9065]

Very interesting, later this year I’m looking to try a pub crawl of the circle line

[@Robslondon]

Cheers Steve! A Circle line crawl is quite a task! ;-) Best of luck to you sir!

[@Rog5446]

Instead of buying a platform ticket at Paddington to go train spotting, I would catch a Met train from Ladbroke Grove, and get off at Royal Oak and spot there. There was an added bonus at Royal Oak station, as directly opposite was the Ranelagh service yard of the GWR, where locos were serviced.

[@Robslondon]

What a great ruse Rog! Yes, I read about the service yard when I was researching the video; such a shame it's no longer there. Stay well and thanks for the great comment.

[@PaulMcCaffreyfmac]

Because of various people I was in bands with, most of my 1970's drinking happened in and around St John's Wood but we got to the Swiss Cottage on a couple of occasions. I'd have sworn blind there was a tree inside it so heaven only knows what I'm thinking of... Hahaha Those open cuttings, even though I now see them in context, still seem so SW to me. Gloucester Rd, Sth Ken, Barons Court. All that kind of thing. Most interesting as always. Thanks.

[@Robslondon]

Great comment Paul, cheers 😉🍺 Stay well

[@alanbaxter8100]

This was really great , thanks for documenting this, I’m now gonna visit them

[@Robslondon]

Cheers Alan! Working on the second part now 😉 Appreciate your kind words; many thanks indeed.

[@aliendon73]

Excellent work as always Rob. Just so you know, there is still am entrance to the old Met line platforms (worked down there many many times). As you go in the station entrance next to Ye Olde Swiss Cottage (subway under the southbound Finchley road), there is a door on the right hand side that leads down some steps onto the northbound platform. It can only be accessed by railway staff.

[@Robslondon]

Many thanks Stefan, that’s a great bit of info! Stay well and thank you for the kind words.

[@richardsingh5827]

Interesting video, I have been to the Swiss a number of times

[@Robslondon]

Cheers Richard 🍺

[@ChrisSmith-ls7mb]

Hello Robert Excellent video. How the English love their pubs to name tube stations after them. Awaiting the next one. Take Care Chris and Sandra of Canada.

[@Robslondon]

Thanks so much Chris and Sandra :-) Stay well and thank you for your kind words and support.

[@80smusiclover8]

Another good video. Ready for part 2. X

[@Robslondon]

Thank you! I'll try not to let you down ;-)

[@80smusiclover8]

@@Robslondon you won't hon.have u done vid of cable car n boat that a bar called oiler bar??

[@Robslondon]

@@80smusiclover8 The Oiler bar? Don’t know that one, will have to look it up 😉

[@80smusiclover8]

@@Robslondon it's just end of cable car ,have u been on cable car

[@peterbaxter2913]

Asolutely fantastic, Rob - as always, THANKS!

[@Robslondon]

It’s a pleasure Peter, thank you so much for your kind words. Stay well.

[@kennethnew3075]

Your presentations are so much fun. Who said history was boring. A weird race, funny prank, history and beer. I also love a good map. Good times. Thanks for putting the work in. Safe travels.

[@Robslondon]

Lovely comment Kenneth; thank you so much! Stay well.

[@suewaverley528]

Looking at the tiles at 11 mins 24, the one in the middle of the bottom row could be East Sussex, which has those martlets (heraldic swallows) on its coat of arms.

[@Robslondon]

That's great, thank you Sue :-)

[@johnbacon1854]

Great job Rob.... what is not to love, a good pub and the railway. So much history all in one. Brilliant.

[@Robslondon]

Thank you so much John! Hope you’re keeping well 😉🍺

[@basfinnis]

What a great upload. Packed with information. Always a pleasure to watch your videos 😉

[@Robslondon]

Thank you so much Basil! Really appreciate your support; stay well.

[@jonathanchalk2507]

Wonderful history of my London.

[@Robslondon]

Really appreciate that Jonathan, thank you! Stay well.

[@yorkshiremen1]

I actually thought it was going to be about pubs in the underground. I can remember there was a bar on the platform at Sloane Square but I don't know of any others.

[@Robslondon]

Thanks John... yes, there were a couple- would be worth a video if I can find the research! Cheers.

[@SLane249]

Great video, thanks for sharing.

[@Robslondon]

It’s a pleasure, thanks Stephen 😉

[@sharonleong7120]

Another great and interesting video. Thank you.👍👍👍💜💜💜

[@Robslondon]

Thank you Sharon! Much appreciated.

[@asheland_numismatics]

Excellent video. I love the tube station videos. 👍

[@Robslondon]

Cheers Ashland :-)

[@asheland_numismatics]

@@Robslondon 🤗

[@michaelwhite8031]

I am sure you would be an interesting guy to have a pint with. Thanks for the video, very interesting.

[@Robslondon]

Cheers Michael! 😉🍺

[@nicholaswalker2494]

Cheers Rob super video when did you film it ,it was very quiet no body around.Thanks and stay safe 🍺👍

[@Robslondon]

Thanks Nicholas! I filmed mid-week in the afternoon (a lunchtime session 😉) so yes it was very quiet! Cheers 🍺

[@JonniePolyester]

That was excellent! Had no idea Swiss Cottage so old, my local on the Lea Bridge Rd The Hare & Hounds is of similar age. Look forward to the next part 😊👍

[@Robslondon]

Cheers Jonnie, much appreciated 😉🍻

[@ruger5764]

I really like the architecture of London 💯

[@Robslondon]

Same here Ruger 😉

[@thevjoiners]

Great episode. Thanks Rob!

[@Robslondon]

Thank you 😊

[@bryan3550]

Brilliant work Rob, as ever! What a wonderful idea: a tube pub-crawl... One up on Jago Hazzard, who I'm sure would approve. Stay Well... 😉

[@thewrecker3140]

Rob we need to make this pub crawl with your wonderful Subscribers.

[@Robslondon]

Ha ha! Cheers bryan, much appreciated :-)

[@bryan3550]

@@thewrecker3140 ...even 12,000 miles away: a bit of a drive home! 😀

[@thewrecker3140]

@@bryan3550 You should not be drinking and driving Lol. Have a great day and best wishes. Robs Dad.

[@FluffyMcFluffavicMeowskiOFluff]

Hahaha my locals at Swiss Cottage!! 😁❤

[@Robslondon]

😉

[@Britoverseas]

Another very interesting and well researched video Rob. Thanks for the huge effort it must take to so these videos. I particularly like the various media you employ. How in earth did you work out that snippet from the Sweeney? Thanks again. Lance.

[@Robslondon]

Thank you so much Lance. I have my sources ;-) Really appreciate your kind words and support; stay well and thanks again.

[@olly5764]

Might the unidentified tiles represent pub names? I could certainly see them being Lion (Maybe red lion) - top right, Running horse / black horse - bottom right, and Rose and Crown - bottom left

[@Robslondon]

Interesting thought Ian.... they could I guess ;-)

[@scottlewisparsons9551]

Thank you for another great video. When I lived in London between 1978 and 1981 I had flats near the Swiss Cottage pub an often ate dinner there after work. Swiss Cottage station was the station I used to get to work. Your video brought back many memories of that time. All the best from Sydney Australia 🇦🇺

[@Robslondon]

Lovely comment Scott; thanks for sharing your memories. Stay well.

[@scottlewisparsons9551]

@@Robslondon that was quick! It’s 8:42am on Saturday morning here, I am still laying in bed! The funny thing is that my memories of that time have faded quite a lot. I found it difficult to recognise places in your video which were very familiar to me. One thing I do remember was how the Swiss Cottage pub made Irish coffee, with a good shot of whiskey 🥃 lots of cream and huge amounts of sugar! Very bad for you but tasted soooo good! Their dinners were enjoyable too.

[@Robslondon]

@@scottlewisparsons9551 Great memories Scott, thank you so much for sharing. London is changing so fast now; so much so that parts of it look unusual to me too 😕 Stay well mate

[@macaskill99]

Great video Rob. You really seem to do your research. When I lived in London in the eighties I often had a quick pint in the pub inside Baker Street station. It was on the bridge between platforms. Another haunt was the pub on the platform at Kings Cross. Maybe you could do a video about pubs inside stations?

[@Robslondon]

Thank you so much Iain, really appreciate your kind words. Platform pubs would be a great idea. Can you remember where the one at Baker Street was? I wasn't old enough to drink in the 80s, even though I loved trains then ;-)

[@randomroveruk6715]

Thank you, Rob!

[@Robslondon]

😉

[@jacquelineharrod6386]

Most interesting. Thank you!

[@Robslondon]

It’s a pleasure Jacqueline, thank you!

[@mccstuff]

Many thanks, I can only appreciate the effort that goes in to to these videos and I find them very enjoyable. It's great hearing about some of the lesser told stories of London.

[@Robslondon]

It’s a pleasure mccstuff, thank you 😊

[@arriesone1]

Another extremely interesting video Rob, thankyou, I love anything at all about London. I do remember when a teenager (very long time ago) going into a pub with my mum after a day shopping in London while waiting for our train, it was by Victoria station and I remember it being so lovely and atmospheric and old-fashioned, I was thrilled to be in a pub! I think I had a babycham! I guess that pub is long gone now, I haven’t been able to find it on street view and never seem to go around the Victoria area on the occasions I manage to visit London.

[@Robslondon]

Thank you so much arriesone1 that’s a beautiful memory! I want to know what pub that was now! I’m guessing it wasn’t the Shakespeare? Or the Bag O’ Nails? Or the Plumber’s Arms?

[@ianjohnson2524]

The Windsor Castle?

[@arriesone1]

@@Robslondon It’s such a long time ago Rob, it could have been the Shakespeare, that seems to be in the right spot as far as I remember! Maybe when I get to London again I’ll have a drink there! (no doubt interior greatly changed!)

[@Robslondon]

@@arriesone1 The Shakespeare ("Shakes") is very handy for Victoria so it sounds like a good contender! It's a good excuse for your to have a trip there ;-)

[@mickey4125]

You've got such a lovely, relaxing style Rob. One of my favourite KZbin discoveries in a long while. With love, once again, from Yorkshire :)

[@Robslondon]

That means a lot to me Mickey- very much appreciated, thank you so much.

[@markbriggs5531]

My thoughts exactly Mickey! Rob's are a wonderful antidote to depressing news. They always cheer me up! Much love from Hampshire:)

[@Robslondon]

@@markbriggs5531 Thank you so much Mark; glad I'm able to help someway during these dark times. Stay safe my friend,

[@SuperDancingdevil]

The tile at Swiss Cottage depicting the Horse Rampant I.e. on its hind legs represents the White Horse of Kent.

[@Robslondon]

That’s great, thank you.

[@RichardWells1]

Another great video, Rob, full of fascinating, well-researched facts and archive material. As with all your videos, this one linking Underground stations to pubs, was compelling viewing. (Just wonder how many London husbands of yesteryear concealed their after-work drinking habits with a quick phone call to the wife to say they'd need to 'stop off at Swiss Cottage for a meeting'...?) Looking forward to episodes 2 and 3!

[@Robslondon]

Ha ha! Many thanks Richard; great comment. And many thanks for the kind words sir. Stay well :-)

[@iainsan]

Excellent video. As a teenager and young man, I travelled on the London Underground a lot in the 70s and early 80s. Am I going senile, or were there once actually pubs selling alcohol on some tube station platforms? I have some vivid memories of rather small and dimly lit bars at certain central London stations. I never went into one because I was always in a hurry to get to where I was going. Decades later, I can't decide whether this is a true memory or simply confusion on my part.

[@Robslondon]

There certainly were bars on some platforms, yes!

[@iainsan]

@@Robslondon Oh good. So I'm not mad yet then...

[@Robslondon]

@@iainsan No; not at all! 😉

[@SlurpyDave254]

Great idea Rob, tubestation boozers. The Swiss cottage looks completely out of place where its located. As for the Royal Oak, can't believe its changed its name. Look forward to part 2, slurp 😊

[@Robslondon]

Great comment Dave; cheers 😉🍺

[@sydgeary3373]

Back in 1985 you could still get a pint at Sloane Square station at platform level.

[@Robslondon]

Yes, a sore loss Syd. I think there were several platform bars weren't there?

[@ayecarambapoker]

I'm hoping one of the next episodes features Blackfriars which is obviously named after the pub across the road

[@Robslondon]

The Blackfriar will definitely be appearing at some point…. not on the tube series though 😉🍺

[@ayecarambapoker]

@@Robslondon Glad to hear it - I've had spent a lot of time in there, usually waiting for Mrs AC who works round the corner. A recent incident saw her coming in and asking why I was slurring my words - I had to tell her she was nearly 2 hours late and I was on my 5th pint!

[@Robslondon]

@@ayecarambapoker :-D

[@ryancouchman-sawyer2355]

11:35 Bottom Right I would assume like the flags of Essex and Buckinghamshire represents the County of Kent as a rearing white horse is used on the flag and is the symbol of Kent (Invicta)

[@Robslondon]

Many thanks Ryan; cheers.

[@Evemeister12]

Anything named royal oak absolutely has to be pub related. Unless it's a pub, in which case it's named after the oak tree that king charles II hid in.

[@Robslondon]

Yep ;-)

[@michaelpeters1644]

Interesting to hear that the tube trains can be heard under the North Star. When I was a student at the then London Guildhall University along from the station in Moorgate, the tubes could be heard under the gardens at Finsbury Square. And, while taking an exam in the basement of the university building, I could hear the doors of the trains opening and slamming shut in the station below.

[@Robslondon]

Great comment Michael, thanks 😊

[@mewsli]

Those tiles would make a good I spy game for kids (and not so big kids too)

[@Robslondon]

😄

[@splendidindifference]

The mystery tile shows martlets, a mythical bird shown on the coat of arms of the historic county of Sussex. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coat_of_arms_of_Sussex Not sure why there are only five - normally six are displayed.

[@Robslondon]

That’s great, thank you 😊

[@darriendastar3941]

That was brilliant. I learned so much.

[@Robslondon]

It's a pleasure; thank you so much Darrien :-)

[@CorvoFG]

Although neither is named after the other, I’ve had many great evenings in Tap on the Line (prev The Railway), on the District Line over the years.

[@Robslondon]

cheers Jason 🍺

[@CorvoFG]

@@Robslondon no problem! Found your content recently and have been really enjoying it. Cheers Rob.

[@Robslondon]

@@CorvoFG Really appreciate that Jason, thank you- great to have you here 😉

[@TheSportsBoffin]

I am a decendent of Thomas Hardy.... proper West Country lad from Dorset.

[@Robslondon]

Wow!

[@SeventhSwell]

Fun video. Thanks!

[@Robslondon]

Thank you! 😊

[@TheUluxian]

Always enjoy your vids, but I must admit, I miss the "Themes TV" theme in your opening..Totally understand why you can't use it, but it brings back a lot of childhood memories. Most of the Brit TV we got over here in the states in my youth (1970's), opened with those 8 notes.

[@Robslondon]

Yes, it features in a lot of my childhood memories too!

[@thetragicyouth]

@@Robslondon Yes, the Thames theme and the LWT theme soundtracked my childhood!

[@Robslondon]

@@thetragicyouth Same 😉

[@michaelpotter4425]

Forgot to say one of the tiles is a oak leaf and crown so I think it's the royal oak

[@Robslondon]

Cheers Michael.

[@flyinghedgehog3833]

The Woodman...Highgate station Railway tavern... Hornsey...by lotus original race team

[@fabiosplendido9536]

What's the music playing at 16:40? Sounds like music from the Studio Ghibli film "Castle in the Sky".

[@Robslondon]

I can't remember as it's been a while since I made the video! The track listing should be in the description though ;-)

[@KellySmunt303]

As in Ronnie Pickering?

[@1258-Eckhart]

Hi, I've just discovered your delightful and well researched channel (subscribed!). Changing a pub name should really be outlawed i.m.v., it happened to the main pub in the small county town where I hail from, which used to be called "The George Inn", and what's wrong with that? Anyway keep up your excellent style and content, look forward to more!

[@Robslondon]

Thank you so much for the kind words; great to have you here! And yes, couldn't agree more about the change in pub name; there's no point in it at all! Thanks again and stay well.

[@edwardoleyba3075]

What’s it called now?

[@1258-Eckhart]

@@edwardoleyba3075 "The Whipper-in" (embarrassing).

[@edwardoleyba3075]

@@1258-Eckhart . What a strange name! Must mean something to somebody, or is it where all the locals will be rounded up and whipped into submission when the “imports” take over?

[@1258-Eckhart]

@@edwardoleyba3075 I know what it means, but I'll leave it up to you to work out. Sorry. It's a stupid name and it should be illegal to rename pubs for this reason.

[@cerneuffington2656]

Thought it was gonna be about pubs in tube stations. Still interesting nevertheless.

[@Robslondon]

Thanks.

[@audey0147]

"The gentle author" wrote about the same tiles, albeit about the bethnall green underground station tiles. Which are the same set. Im not sure if dropping a link to somebody elses site in comments is sportsman like or even allowed. But there should be enough information in this comment to get your google research fingers going.

[@Robslondon]

Thanks audey ☺️

[@daveash9572]

Just found your channel, thank you for sharing. Your speech pattern, especially your pronunciation of some of the 't's ans "k"s at the end of words, is very reminiscent of fellow KZbinr, Lady Decade. Is that a North London thing or something?

[@Robslondon]

Many thanks Dave. I guess it is the accent as I did grow up in North London. When I’m recording though, I do my best to sound as clear as possible, it often requires quite a few takes! If I spoke completely naturally I don’t think everyone would understand 😉 Thanks again and stay well.

[@garybrockwell2031]

The Crown over the Acorn is the Royal Oak? The crown meaning Royal... I wonder if you have a coat of arms mate?? Loved all that bruv, CHEERS 👍💪💯🇬🇧🆘✌️🙏🆘🇬🇧💯

[@Robslondon]

😉

[@garybrockwell2031]

And that's for you our brother 👍💓💕👁️💥👁️🇬🇧

[@Robslondon]

@@garybrockwell2031 😀

[@urbanpulsewalks]

Swiss Cottage Cheese.