The London Pub That’s Technically in No Country at All
How can a pub be in London… but not actually in the UK?
Sounds impossible, right? But deep in the City of London lies one of the quirkiest jurisdictional oddities you’ll ever hear about — a pub that technically exists in no country at all.
Let’s uncover the fascinating story of The Hung, Drawn & Quartered pub and the strange patch of London land that exists in a legal grey zone.
Wait, What? A Pub Outside the UK?
To be clear: Yes, this pub is very much in London — near the Tower of London, even. But the ground it sits on is owned by a body with its own laws, rules, and unique status: the City of London Corporation.
And that’s where things get weird.
The City of London ≠ Greater London
Let’s rewind.
London is actually two cities:
The City of London – the ancient square mile, run by the City of London Corporation (with its own police, mayor, and traditions)
Greater London – the modern metropolitan area that surrounds it
The City of London is not subject to the Crown in the same way other parts of the UK are. It has:
Its own governing body
Unique civic roles (like the Remembrancer, who sits in Parliament on behalf of the City)
Its own police force, crest, and set of privileges granted centuries ago
This makes the square mile a semi-independent city-within-a-city — and that legal quirk extends to the ground certain pubs sit on.
Enter: The Hung, Drawn & Quartered
📍 Location: 26-27 Great Tower Street, City of London EC3R 5AQ
👻 Named after the grisly executions that took place at nearby Tower Hill
This pub — owned by Nicholson’s — is a classic London watering hole with wooden beams, historical plaques, and a slightly gruesome name. But what makes it strange isn’t the beer. It’s the land beneath it.
According to certain interpretations of historical land charters and the governance of the City, the land around Tower Hill may technically lie outside both the jurisdiction of the Crown and the City Corporation.
Why? Because:
Tower Hill was directly overseen by the Constable of the Tower (a royal military post), not the City.
The Liberties of the Tower of London were considered outside county boundaries for centuries.
Even today, they’re administered separately — with ceremonial guards, privileges, and property distinctions that make this pub’s legal location incredibly murky.
What Does That Mean Today?
In practice:
Yes, you're still in the UK.
Yes, you’ll still get charged VAT on your pint.
Yes, police can absolutely arrest you here.
But legally and historically, this pub may stand on a slice of land that was never properly absorbed into any specific borough or county — a leftover from medieval land rights.
It's similar to how some international embassies operate — only this time, it’s in the form of a pub, and you can get a pint of ale instead of a visa.
Other Places with Confusing Jurisdiction in London
This pub isn't alone. London is full of spots with bizarre legal status, including:
Temple Church — owned by both the Crown and the Inner/Outer Temple legal societies
Gray’s Inn and Lincoln’s Inn — legal “liberties” with their own governance
Royal Parks — managed by the Crown Estate, not local councils
The Savoy Hotel — historically considered part of Lancaster, not Westminster
Why Does This Matter?
It’s a reminder that:
London’s geography isn’t just physical — it’s political, legal, and historical
Some traditions are so old and strange, we just kind of… let them stay weird
Even where you drink a pint might have a story centuries in the making
Final Sip
So next time you're near the Tower of London and fancy a pint, swing by The Hung, Drawn & Quartered.
You won’t just be having a drink — you’ll be standing in one of the most bizarre legal grey zones in the UK, sipping history by the pint.
London’s full of stories like this — follow @Londonyaar for more weird and wonderful tales from the capital!