http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/ Welcome to Been there. Your tips on the places you know - that you love, live in or have just visited - are what make this guide. http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/19666 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/19666 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/19160 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/19160 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/18573 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/18573 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/17685
This is the home of St. Jamie Oliver's original Fifteen restaurant but also featured in the execrable film, Closer. A door on the left-hand side of the street labelled Westland Place Studios, between the fireplace shop and an old piping company premises, was the Julia Roberts character's front door in the vacuous, self-regarding snorefest.

In this scene, Jude Law's character makes a reference to going to "the pub round the corner". He was talking about the Eagle, a pleasant old boozer behind the Shepherdess Cafe, that features, along with City Road, in a less well-known verse of the nursery rhyme, Pop Goes the Weasel.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/17685 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/16628
Thanks to a new refurbishment the Spice now looks like a slightly garish, eccentric Highland mansion, and it's extra-cosy for sinking winter pints. And best of all the pub's attractions? Three words: Sticky. Toffee. Pudding.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/16628 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/16558 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/16558 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/16407
Better still, they have a lovely little beer garden (more yard than garden) at the back. A great little place a little further afield from where the hordes hang out in Islington.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/16407 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/16380 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/16380 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/16348 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/16348 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/11597
Russell Brand, Daniel Kitson, Phil Nichol, Russell Howard, Stewart Lee and more have all graced the stage in recent months, usually accompanied by some suprising talent from less well known acts.

It's just one stop by train from London Bridge, so pretty easy to get to for a cheap and entertaining night out.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/11597 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/11145
It’s one of the last surviving coaching inns in London and the only surviving galleried pub. It dates back to medieval times, but the current version dates from 1676 when it was rebuilt after a fire. It’s had Shakespeare and Dickens among its clientele over the years and therein lies the main attraction; it’s one of those places where you can step back in time from the bustle of the city.

The pub was originally built around three sides of the courtyard and must have looked pretty spectacular. Unfortunately two sides were knocked down in the late 1800s to make way for railway warehouses – another blow for progress. The remaining site is owned and run by the National Trust, which hopefully means that there won’t be any more progress for the foreseeable future.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/11145 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/10186 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/10186 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/9686 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/9686 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/9231 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/9231 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/7906 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/7906 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/7872 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/7872 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/4189 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/4189 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/3505 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/3505 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/3438 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/3438 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/3366 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/3366