Here’s a good one: the pub’s sign actually shows a lion and a unicorn engaged in a tug-of-war with a crown. That’s a literal metaphor for the political union of England and Scotland. Not subtle, guys. But effective.
And the carpet? It’s patterned with thistles and Tudor roses—again, hammering home the union theme. Wetherspoon founder Tim Martin loves a good historical nerd-out. He even named the pub to remind us that “the lion and the unicorn were fighting for the crown” in the old nursery rhyme. That rhyme? It was a coded joke about the 1603 Union of the Crowns. You thought you were just having a cheap breakfast, but no—you’ve stepped into a political satire from 1603.
Is London The Unicorn Capital Of The World? | Londonist
Also, the pub’s address—Giltspur Street—used to be called “Hosier Lane” because it was filled with hosiers (sock makers). Imagine a row of sock factories. Now imagine that smell. Be grateful you’re here for the curry club instead.
The Verdict: Should You Go?
Absolutely. But don’t expect a quiet, romantic dinner. Expect chaos. The Lion and The Unicorn is a drinking circus where tourists, barristers from the Old Bailey, and people who’ve just finished jury duty all congregate. The beer is cold, the chips are warm, and the toilets have a mysterious odor of bleach and regret.
And while you’re there, raise a glass to the lion and the unicorn on the roof. They’re still fighting, still frozen in time, and still reminding you that history is weirder than fiction. Just don’t ask the staff about the prison. They’ll roll their eyes and say, “That’s ancient history, love. You want another pint?”
And you do. Because that’s the true miracle of The Lion and The Unicorn: it turns debtors’ prisons into cheap lager and historical allegories into a very good Tuesday afternoon.
