Peckham Pubs Pt 1 – Ivy House Community Ownership, Fireworks

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We’re heading back south of the river to Nunhead and Peckham Rye for a historic London pub crawl laced with legends, laughs, and last-minute saves at a lineup of historic London pubs. How’s that for a London history podcast!

We kick off at The Ivy House, once home to Victorian cricket legend W.G. Grace, punk icon Ian Dury, and a nude ballet that was… technically accurate. When greedy developers came calling, the locals pulled off a pub-saving plot twist worthy of Hollywood. Meet London’s first community-owned pub!

Then it’s over to The Pyrotechnics Arms, born from literal explosions thanks to a fireworks factory gone kaboom. This no-frills London boozer has deep ties to The Crystal Palace and a chorus of mandolin-backed rude songs outside its doors. Recently shuttered, but not forgotten. You’re going to want to add this pub to your London pub walking tour.

Completing today’s historic London walk, we wrap at The Old Nun’s Head, a pub so old it gave Nunhead its name. Ghosts of William Blake (angel sightings, anyone?), whispers of Charles Dickens, a sticky-fingered schoolgirl, and over 400 years of pints and pub power.

It’s not just a London pub tour — it’s a crash course in pint-fueled history with side orders of rebellion, poetry, and pyrotechnics. Whether you’re plotting a London pub crawl tour, hunting for pubs in Nunhead, pubs in Peckham Rye, or just need some spicy London travel tips, on this London pub podcast, we’re your London travel guide who’s got your back (and your barstool).

Show Map 

https://www.google.com/maps/d/u/4/edit?mid=12c-WKa3XiT1qTLydK8psZocUR7Y_Wes&usp=sharing

References

• Ted Bruning  -- Historic Pubs of London (ISBN 978-0658005022) and London By Pub (ISBN 978-0658005022)
• Wikipedia
• https://londonspubswherehistoryreallyhappened.wordpress.com/  by Ann Laffeaty 

Ivy House

https://pubwiki.co.uk/LondonPubs/Camberwell/NewlandsTavern.shtml

https://whatpub.com/pubs/SEL/10680/ivy-house-nunhead

https://www.ivyhousenunhead.com/

“Public House” film review: https://londonist.com/2015/10/an-audio-visual-tapestry-about-london-s-first-co-op-pub

William Blake

https://www.barnflakes.com/blog/2017/05/william-blakes-vision-of-angels-in.html

Pyrotechnist’s Arms

https://www.brocksfireworks.com/our-history

https://london.randomness.org.uk/wiki.cgi?Pyrotechnists_Arms%2C_SE15_3QF

https://exploring-london.com/2023/09/18/london-pub-signs-the-pyrotechnists-arms/

https://www.stonegatepubpartners.co.uk/

Old Nun’s Head

https://www.designmynight.com/london/pubs/peckham/the-old-nuns-head

https://pubology.wordpress.com/2008/07/10/old-nuns-head/

https://transpont.blogspot.com/2012/05/hi

Website: https://historiclondonpubcast.com

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