Oscar Wilde was once quoted as saying: "Work is the curse of the drinking classes", and this was nowhere more true than in 18th Century Putney down by the river.

On a sunny Friday evening, hundreds of workers, commuters and traders still settle down by the river in Putney to enjoy a refreshing pint, cocktail or glass of wine after a hard week’s work.

This tradition began many centuries ago and the earliest known alehouses and inns were at the bottom of Putney High Street near the ferry landing, where they catered for thirsty travellers as well as locals.

The Red Lion, which existed from the 15th Century until about 1887, was the most prominent until the arrival of the White Lion and the Bull.

The only survivors from that period, although both have been rebuilt, are the White Lion (the Walkabout) and the Anchor (now the Fox) which both bookend the High Street.

In 1786, when licensing records began, there were 15 public houses in Putney.

One - the Sugar Loaves, in the Ruvigny Gardens area - disappeared in 1787, possibly the result of a local campaign against disorderly alehouses which encouraged ‘vice, lewdness, profaneness and immorality’.

Otherwise the same 14 continued until 1830, and no others date back before then.

Eight of the original 15 survive today, though their premises have mostly been rebuilt. They are the Castle, the Duke’s Head, the Fox, the Green Man, the Half Moon, the Spotted Horse, the Star and Garter and the White Lion.

Among the seven which disappeared were the Eight Bells by the river, the Rose and Crown next to the church and the Bull and Star in the High Street (closed in 1971).

The Green Man dates from the early 18th Century and was long associated with duels which took place on the heath.

The Half Moon also originated around the same time and served what used to be one of the poorest areas of Putney, and was often in trouble with the licensing authorities.

The Spotted Horse has an antique appearance which in fact dates from the 20th Century, but underneath the ornamentation is an 18th or 19th Century cottage.

In 1830, under the Beer Act, licensing regulations were relaxed meaning anyone could turn their house into a beer shop without the need for a licence.

Many of Putney’s present pubs originated in the way, including the Jolly Gardeners, the Bricklayers Arms and the Telegraph which all came about through this law.

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