Spaniards Inn
Spaniards Road, London NW3

This famous 16th century tavern, said to be haunted by the ghost of a highwayman, is named after two Spanish proprietors who killed each other in a duel. 

The historic pub owes its fame to Dick Turpin, the notorious 18th century highwayman, who regularly frequented the tavern.  When he wasn't holding up stage coaches on the road to and from London he stabled his horse, Black Bess, at stables nearby. 

The building certainly dates from Dick Turpin's time but there have been many alterations over the years.  However, the small Turpin Bar upstairs is original. 

During the Gordon Riots of 1780 a group of anti-Catholic mobsters stopped off at the Spaniards Inn on their way to Kenwood House, then owned by the Lord Chief Justice, 1st Earl of Mansfield, which they planned to burn to the ground.   The publican plied the rioters with free beer hoping that they would soon be in no fit state to leave the pub let alone destroy Kenwood House.  When the army finally arrived the rioters were easily disarmed.  A pair of muskets, which hang over the saloon bar, were reputedly taken from the rioters. 

Notable customers of Spaniards Inn have included the poets Shelley, Keats and Byron, the painter Sir Joshua Reynolds and the actor David Garrick

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