City of Westminster in Greater London, England, United Kingdom — Northwestern Europe (the British Isles)
The Bear & Staff
Photographed by Michael Herrick, July 29, 2018
1. The Bear & Staff Marker
Inscription.
The
Bear & Staff
A public house by this name has occupied this site on Bear Street since 1714 with the current building dating from 1878 when it was rebuilt. “The Bear & Staff" takes its name from a heraldic sign normally referring to the Neville Family, Earls of Warwick, most commonly Richard Neville, the "King-Maker" who's family crest consisted of a rampant bear chained to a ragged staff. Some people believe that the pub is so named after Augustus Beare, a glazier who worked on the houses that were laid out here in the 1670s. Since the opening of the pub in 1714 there has been an almost continuous list of licensees, including John Philips, who owned the pub at the beginning of the 1800s. In 1820 Philips passed away leaving a rent to pay on the pub of £52/10s. In February 1821 William Heartwell issued a writ and took charge of the pub but in 1858 he lost the license on proof of Sunday trading and robbery. The Bear & Staff is situated near Leicester Square, an area that was built towards the end of the 17th century on Leicester Fields, named after the house of the Earls of Leicester, descendants of Sir Philip Sidney.
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Today the area is devoted to entertainment and includes cinemas and theatres, many of which are the premier venues for new films released in this country. The Odeon, Leicester Square was built in 1937 on the site of the old Alhambra Theatre and opened with a royal charity performance of "The Prisoner of Zenda".
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Entertainment.
Location. 51° 30.653′ N, 0° 7.714′ W. Marker is in City of Westminster, England, in Greater London. It is on Charing Cross Road close to Bear Street, on the left when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 10-12 Bear Street, City of Westminster, England WC2H 7AS, United Kingdom. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in London and in the Greater South East. Globally, it is on the Atlantic Ocean, in the North Atlantic Region, in Europe, in Atlantic Europe, on one of the British Isles, in the Western World, and in the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Roman Empire.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers
Photographed by Michael Herrick, July 29, 2018
2. The Bear & Staff Pub
are within walking distance of this marker: Al Bowlly (a few steps from this marker); Flicker Alley (within shouting distance of this marker); Brewmaster (within shouting distance of this marker); Frank Matcham (within shouting distance of this marker); Sidney Webb (within shouting distance of this marker); Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (within shouting distance of this marker); The London Gasketeers (about 90 meters away, measured in a direct line); The Salisbury (about 90 meters away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in City of Westminster.
Also see . . . The Bear & Staff. Nicholson's Pubs website entry (Submitted on August 24, 2018, by Michael Herrick of Southbury, Connecticut.)
Credits. This page was last revised on March 14, 2026. It was originally submitted on August 24, 2018, by Michael Herrick of Southbury, Connecticut. This page has been viewed 755 times since then and 104 times this year. Photos:1, 2. submitted on August 24, 2018, by Michael Herrick of Southbury, Connecticut.
