The Market Porter Pub

Aptly named after its clientele, The Market Porter is one of a few London pubs which operate market hours, opening early in the morning (6am) to allow market workers to enjoy a drink after a hard morning's graft.

It opened in 1620 but is looking smarter than ever after a refit in 2005, although some say this was to the detriment of its character. It now boasts freshly painted burgundy and light apricot walls contrasting with a bare wooden floor with pump clip badges dotting the walls and clinging to the ceiling rafters.

The market opposite has also been subject to a spruce-up in recent years as it benefits (probably) from the much needed expansion to the busy rail network which runs overhead. The area has become a destination for food lovers who flock here on Saturdays to buy supplies from the market but this pub competes with food offered 7 days a week, without the queues experienced.

The Market Porter has a well-deserved reputation for its traditional cask ales and the choice of eight brews changes regularly.