This pub is truly historic, and deserves the title “Ye Olde”—the current building was erected after the Great Fire of London (1666), although parts of it are even older. A board by the entrance lists the sixteen monarchs (counting the husband and wife William of Orange and Mary II as two) who have reigned since. Sam Smiths, the current owners, enlarged the pub when they took over, and did some serious structural work to stop it falling down, as well as their usual renovation. They left the famous step, just outside the front door. This has almost been worn through over the centuries, and now has an iron grill to protect it. They may have left it a bit late.