Location

PRINCESS LOUISE

LONDON WC1V 7BW

208 High Holborn

The nearest tube to the Princess Louise is Holborn, which is approximately 100 yards (about a minute or so walk) away.

History

Named after Queen Victoria's fourth daughter, the Princess Louise was built in 1872, but underwent major refurbishment by the (at then ) unknown Architect Arthur Chitty in 1891, the pub remains mainly unchanged since this refurbishment.

The building demonstrates some fine Victorian craftsmenship . Tiles used are by Simpson and Sons; glasswork found in the pub can be seen to be signed
'R. Morris and Son'; joinery in the pub is thought to be by Lascelles, all well known for
pub interiors. This huge pub is a testiment to these Victorian craftsmen.
Every wall is festuned in cut and gilt mirrors, decorated tiles, richly ornate plasterwork and quality joinery.

Few are able to attend the pub for long without visiting the toilets, which, despite the somewaht disturbing smell ¹ are
a work of art themselves.

Unbelievably there were plans to pull this pub down, but fortunately it now has Grade II listing.

there is one fundamental difference from how the pub would have appeared 100 years ago. If one looks up at the ceiling, remains can be seen of where it must have once had two corridors down the sides, and off these there would have been many small drinking compartments (as at the Prince Alfred and the Argyll Arms to this day). These had certainly disappeared by the late 1960s, and maybe a long time before that.

Beer etc

The Princess louise is currently owned by brewers Samuel Smith, and is OPEN Monday to Friday 11.00-23.00,
Saturdays 12.00-23.00
but is Closed Sundays.

The pub serves bar food and there is a restaurant. Catering for private parties of up to 100 guests
(on Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays) is available upon request.