Tucked away on a side street in London’s East End stands a pub with an infamous history – the Ten Bells. This unassuming brick tavern has existed in some form since at least 1752. Over the centuries, the Ten Bells has served dock workers, merchants, immigrants, artists, punks, and now tourists flocking to its legendary past. Beyond being a neighborhood watering hole, the Ten Bells provides a unique glimpse into London’s gritty history.
Early History
The Ten Bells originated as a merchant’s house called “The Three Nuns” in the 1750s. It likely gained its current moniker from the bells of the nearby St Leonard’s Church on Shoreditch High Street, which rang ten times for services. In the late 1700s, the pub was frequented by weavers, spinners, and dyers working in local textile factories during the Industrial Revolution.
By the mid-1800s, the establishment had been renovated and expanded to serve the influx of immigrants to the impoverished Spitalfields area. It became a hotspot for artists, writers, and bohemians by the late Victorian era. Customers included pre-Raphaelite painters like Dante Gabriel Rossetti, who mentioned the pub in his works.
Jack the Ripper Links
In the 1880s, the Ten Bells landed on the map for a much more sinister reason – its association with Jack the Ripper. Two of the brutal serial killer’s victims – Annie Chapman and Mary Jane Kelly – reportedly drank at the pub shortly before their murders in 1888.
The Ten Bells quickly became a haunt for journalists, armchair detectives, and morbid tourists hoping to get insight into the Ripper killings. The pub gained additional notoriety from its graphic depiction in Alan Moore’s acclaimed graphic novel From Hell.
Modern Era
In the 1900s, the Ten Bells enjoyed popularity among immigrant dockers, laborers, and tradespeople working in Spitalfields Market. It also attracted famous novelists like Anthony Burgess and Colin MacInnes. After a period of decline in the mid-20th century, the pub underwent renovations and emerged as a lively rock music venue in the 1970s.
The Ten Bells became a punk rock hotspot, hosting early gigs by bands like The Clash and Sex Pistols. Memorabilia from this era still decorates the walls today. It remains popular with rock music fans.
Historic Preservation
By the 1990s, the loudly painted exterior and interior of the Ten Bells clashed with preservation efforts in historic Spitalfields. After a £250,000 renovation in 2010, the pub regained its 19th-century character with subtle references to its infamous past. Gas lamps, mosaic tiles, and velvet upholstery recreate the Ripper-era ambiance.
While no longer a raucous punk venue, the Ten Bells still retains its unconventional, artistic flair. Dramatic murals by indie comic artist Warren Pleece depict the pub’s history in graphic novel style. It also serves as the unofficial headquarters of the annual Free Form Festival arts events.
Visiting Today
Tourists and history buffs flock to the Ten Bells today for its connections to Jack the Ripper. Memorabilia like wanted posters and newspaper clippings plays up these morbid associations. But beyond the Ripper myths, the pub provides a lens into the hardscrabble reality of London’s East End over different eras.
The Ten Bells also continues to operate as a friendly local neighborhood pub. Customers include a mix of hipsters, artists, and longtime East Enders having a pint. With its many rooms and snugs, it remains an atmospheric place to grab a drink. The pub serves well-kept cask ales alongside updated British pub fare.
Stepping through the doors of the Ten Bells allows you to immerse yourself in the lasting spirit of Spitalfields. This historic watering hole has served as solace and inspiration to locals across generations through wartimes, poverty, crime waves, and gentrification. Raise a glass to this enduring piece of London’s lore at Ten Bells today.
