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 The river frontage at Rotherhithe showing The Angel tavern. © NMM
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There has been an inn and rest house for travellers on the site since the 15th century. It was kept by monks from Bermondsey Priory.
Christopher Jones, captain of the Mayflower, is said to have hired crew here and Captain Cook prepared for his voyage to Australia at the old inn.
When Samuel Pepys, the diarist and naval administrator, visited 'The Famous Angel', in the 17th century, he would have had a pleasant country walk from the City.
Its proximity to the river meant the clientele included dockers, sailors, pirates, smugglers and pressgangs.
During the 18th and 19th centuries London grew and its east-end river banks were developed as docks and wharves. Bermondsey's crowded waterfront became one of the worst slums in London, a haunt for thieves, pressgangs and smugglers.
| 15th century | There was an inn and rest house for travellers on the site kept by monks from Bermondsey Priory |
| 1652 | First documentary proof of an 'Angel' pub on the site |
| 1660 - 1669 | Samuel Pepy's wrote his diaries and mentions his visits to 'The Famous Angel' |
| 1668 | A token coin issued at Rotherhithe came from ‘The Salutation’ which could be another name for the 'Angel' |
| 1682 | There was a mortgage deed: an agreement that John and Alice Jesson of Redriffe would raise a mortgage on the old moated manor house and adjoining 'Angel Tavern' for £500 |
| 1768 | Captain Cook set sail on 'The Endeavour', having planned his first voyage during his visits to the 'Angel' with fellow officers |
| 1940-50s | Visited by dignitaries and film stars including Laurel and Hardy |
