London, Holborn. Dating to 1602 and originally The Leg and Seven Stars (referring to the seven provinces of the Netherlands and a popular place for Dutch sailors), it is one of the few pubs to survive the Great fire of London in 1666. Shakespeare is said to have visited the pub and Charles Dickens is thought to have used it as a model for the Magpie and Stump in Pickwick Papers. It is popular with barristers from the nearby courts of law (the snug to the left of the bar is known as the Wig Box). A quirky little pub, it is decorated with lots of old photographs and movie posters. Ghost Ship from Adnams in Southwold was my beer of choice.