Beehive Tavern, 4 Nightingale lane, East Smithfield
Aldgate pub history index
The Beehive Tavern was a tavern and licensed victualler’s premises located at 4 Nightingale Lane, East Smithfield, in the historic Aldgate area of the City of London. Ecclesiastical and trade directories show the tavern in use by at least 1811, when Thomas Vallance was recorded as the occupant of the Beehive Tavern at this address, indicating it was an established public house in the early 19th century.
An earlier printed reference from 1808 notes that Prince Edwards Lodge met at the “Bee Hive, East Smithfield”, suggesting the premises also served as a meeting place for societies or friendly lodges — a common ancillary function for taverns of the period.
Street names and numbering in this part of East Smithfield have changed over time. Nightingale Lane — later renamed Sir Thomas More Street in the 1930s — ran between St Katharine Docks and Wapping, and the surrounding area underwent significant redevelopment in the later 19th and early 20th centuries.
At present, no further directory or census evidence has been found for the Beehive Tavern after the early 19th century, nor clear records of its subsequent rebuilding, change of name, or ultimate fate. As with many inns and taverns in this part of the City, later urban redevelopment and changing street patterns likely altered the site substantially in the decades that followed.
Residents at this address.
Prince Edwards Lodge meet at the Bee Hive, East Smithfield, London in 1808
1811/Thomas Vallance, Beehive Tavern, 4 Nightingale lane, East Smithfield/../../Holdens Directory
British Press. 05 April 1819 - Accident at the Mint.
On Saturday last an inquisition was taken at the Bee Hive, in Nightingale lane, East Smithfield before Joshua Unwin Esq, Coroner, on view of the body of Ambrose Richardson, aged 12 years.
The deceased was employed in pulling the fly hack, being about 5cwt (hundredweight) striuck him on the head against the damper. He dropped dead immediately.
He had worked in the mint about seven days and was 12 years of age.
A guard was put up this morning, and shpuld have been done sooner, as there had been several similar accidents.
Jury - Accidental Death.