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The Coal Hole - The Strand London

The Coal Hole was located in Fountain Court, Strand. (Right) It was replaced by Terry's Theatre, which in turn vanished for a multiple store. In its time it was quite a rough place, where Edmund Kean helped in drunken orgies. It had no platform, commenced proceedings at eleven p.m. and was conducted by a chairman: It was very well patronised by all the celebrities of the time.

Right - Fountain Court.

It gained fame under the direction of John Rhodes, who had a passion for silver plate and boasted that more silver tankards, goblets and flagons, loving cups and the like could be seen there than in any of the big hotels in London. He ran it successfully on the lines of Evans's and was himself Chairman. He was a big man with a fine presence, an excellent baritone voice and was one of the most popular turns of the time. When he died, his son improved it but when Rhodes Junior died in 1850 his widow tried to carry on but without success, likewise John Bruton, of Vauxhall Gardens, and so the glory of the Coal Hole departed.

Text edited from 'The Melodies Linger On' by W Maqueen-Pope

Above - Detail of the inscriptions flanking the entrance to Fountain Court - 2003

Edward Lee in Thirteen Guided Walks to the Fascinating Music Landmarks of London suggests that the name came as a result of its use by coal heavers. He also indicates the existence of a memorial plaque that states that the original song and supper room was located nearby.

Right - The Coal Hole looking up the Strand.

There is a Public House at 91 The strand which still bears the name The Coal Hole, but although close to the original location is related by name only.

...High wooden rafters and faded pennants give this pub an authentic mediaeval feel; the high traditions of the Robber Barons of yore are also maintained by the soft drinks prices. Formerly a haunt of the city's heavers of coal to every smog-creating household, that Actor with a capital A, Edmund Kean started The Wolf Club there for the purposes of hard drinking & high jinx. Nothing has changed. Cheers!

...William Blake lived in two rooms on the first floor of No. 3 Fountain Court, a red brick house,from 1821 until his death in 1827. He was very poor, and frankly admitted that 'he lived in a hole'. He consoled himself, however, with the thought that 'God had a beautiful mansion for him elsewhere'. It was here that Blake produced his Illustrations to ante's Divine Comedy and his Illustrations to The Book of Job.

From the steps behind the Tavern you can enjoy a similar view of the Thames - looking like 'a bar of gold'- to that which Blake enjoyed.