Where: 202 Bishopsgate, EC2

What: The present pub, supposed to be part of the old house concerned, owes its name to an 18th-century tragedy. Nathaniel Bentley, a wealthy dandy, heard of the death of his bride-to-be on the day they were to celebrate their engagement (or the day before their wedding, depending on who is telling the story). He was so distraught that, from then on he took no care of his appearance or of his house, and became known as ‘Dirty Dick’.

It is suggested that Charles Dickens based his character Miss Haversham in Great Expectations on Nathaniel. He neither washed nor changed his clothes. When his cats died, he just left them where they fell.

When he died, the landlord of this pub either bought the contents of his house or converted the house (stories vary) and put the contents (including the dead cats) on display at the aptly named 'Dirty Dick's' pub.

Unfortunately, environmental health decided in the mid 1980's that a clean up was in order and most of the dirty artifacts were cleared away. What is left is a pleasant olde worlde pub with bare floor boards and an abundance of timber beams. The upstairs bar forms a gallery and the vaulted cellar houses the restaurant.

Nearest underground station: Liverpool Street.

Opening times: Monday - Friday 11.00 - 23.00; (closed Saturday) Sunday 12.00 - 15.00

Food: Bar meals: Monday - Friday 12.00 - 14.30

Beer: Young's