This is a truly unique British institution which you cannot find anywhere around the world, unless it is a replica of course. The term 'pub' is a shortened version of Popular Public House and has been around in one from or another since Roman times. It is really worth visiting a historic pub because the atmosphere is unique and you do feel as though you are going back in time. Here are some of the top 4 historic pubs in London worth visiting.

The Prospect of Whitby

57 Wapping Wall E1W 3SJ.

Fancy a bit of rough or a walk in the criminal underworld of smugglers? Then try popping into the formerly named 'The Devil's Tavern' for a pint and you will be following in the footsteps of 17th century smugglers. The pub was a notorious den for smugglers and ironically was burnt to a crisp in the 18th century. In its place was a new pub renamed sedately 'The Prospect of Whitby' after a ship usually moored there. Reflecting the 'ye olde' English feel of the past, the interior is decorated with relics of ships such as ropes and lanterns. For those suffering from claustrophobia, the terrace may be a better choice with plenty of fresh air and an excellent prospect of the river Thames.

The Anchor

34 Park Street, Borough SE1 9EF

This quaint pub, close to Shakespeare's Globe Theatre, has been around since the 1600s and its claim to fame is as the place where Samuel Pepys safely watched the Great Fire of London ravaged the city. The famous diarist mentioned in his diary that he sat in this pub and 'watched the fire grow'.

Like any other historical building, the pub has suffered the wears and tears throughout the years and in the late 1600s it was rebuilt following a fire. Since then different owners have added to the character of the buildings making it a really interesting combination of various styles.

Ye Olde Cheshire Cheese

145 Fleet Street, City of London, EC4A 2BU.

This Pub may possibly be the most famous in London, as it has been a favourite haunt for all the illustrious names of literature and Fleet street writers. Famous names include Charles Dickens, Thackeray, Oscar Wilde, Arthur Conan Doyle and many others. It even has a stuffed parrot named Polly in the bar which was famous for mimicking customers, so much so that upon its death it was mentioned in the BBC.

The pub is thought to have been built on a 13th century monastery as there are remnants from this time in the cellars. There was an inn going back all the way to mid 1500s which was destroyed in the Fire of London in 1666, and the Ye Olde Cheshire cheese as it is known was rebuilt in 1667.

The pub is a maze of wooden beams, low ceilings and open fireplaces which is very cozy and quaint, or claustrophobic, dependent on your tolerant level.

The George Inn

77 Borough High Street, Borough, London, SE1 1NH.

Situated in Southwark near London Bridge this is London's only surviving coaching inn. There was a coaching inn here since 1600s, but after damage from a fire in 1676 it was rebuilt. The demise of the George Inn as coaching inn coincided with the increase in rail travel which unfortunately had a negative effect on coach travel. Sadly, Great Northern Railway destroyed large parts of the George Inn to convert into warehouses, but luckily the south side of the inn was left alone and is not listed by the National Trust.

Enjoy your visit to London!