Right in the middle of London, beneath the busy streets of Holborn, there’s a pub space that many people walk straight past without ever realising it’s there.
The Penderel’s Oak is a well-known Wetherspoon venue — but what a lot of people don’t know is that it hides a full cellar bar downstairs.
Tucked beneath the main pub, the underground space offers a completely different feel. Think exposed brickwork, arched ceilings, and a quieter, more tucked-away atmosphere compared to the busy upstairs bar.
It’s the kind of place you stumble across once and then keep coming back to — especially if you’re looking to escape the crowds without actually leaving central London.
The pub itself sits on historic ground, named after Penderel’s Oak — the tree associated with King Charles II’s escape after the Battle of Worcester. While the upstairs serves the usual busy city crowd, the cellar bar feels like a bit of a hidden secret.
For many, it’s a reminder that even the most familiar pubs can still surprise you — especially in a city like London where history and hidden spaces sit right under your feet.
