Discover the Morpeth Arms on Millbank
Welcome to the Morpeth Arms, a London pub with more stories to tell than your nan after a sherry. You’ll find this boozy riverside establishment at 58 Millbank, perfectly perched between Pimlico and Westminster and just a short stroll from Tate Britain. These days, it dishes out hearty British grub and tip-top pints, but beneath the surface—literally—lies a darker tale.
Built in the mid-1800s, this pub wasn’t just another watering hole. It was constructed to serve the thirsty wardens of Millbank Penitentiary, a now-demolished prison that once stood where Tate Britain is today.
Oh, and did we mention it might be haunted?
The Haunted History of the Morpeth Arms
Let’s rewind to the 1800s. Millbank Prison was one of the largest and most notorious penitentiaries in the country, known for its harsh conditions and its role in transporting convicts to Australia.
Prisoners were marched through underground tunnels from their cells to the Thames, where boats awaited to take them into exile. One such tunnel led straight beneath what is now the Morpeth Arms.
The pub itself was built by Paul Dangerfield to cater to the prison wardens nearby—but that tunnel? Still there. And so, according to local legend, is the spirit of a prisoner who died trying to escape through it.
The Haunted Basement
Once part of a holding facility for convicts en route to Australia, these gloomy underground cells are steeped in eerie legend. Although the basement isn’t open to the public (probably for the best if you’re easily spooked), you can sneak a peek via the live CCTV feed from the bar.
Patrons often huddle around the screen, watching for spectral prisoners making a cameo—blink and you might miss a flicker of something unexplained. Barrels are still stored down there, and staff have whispered of disappearing objects, unsettling chills, unexplained sounds, mysterious shadows, and that unmistakable feeling of being watched. It’s not your typical cellar.
The Nearby Panopticon Prison
Millbank Prison was no ordinary lock-up. Designed by philosopher Jeremy Bentham and architect Mr. Hardwick, it followed the Panopticon layout—a creepy but clever design that allowed guards to monitor inmates from a central point, without prisoners knowing when they were being watched. Basically, a psychological thriller in architectural form.
The prison operated from 1816 to 1890, housing inmates destined for transportation. It originally held both men and women—though later, after some stern feedback from the colonies about the gender imbalance, more women were deported. Many never returned home, making their journeys one-way tickets into the unknown.
The Last Remains of Millbank Prison
Although the prison was torn down to make way for the Tate, a few relics remain. Most notably, the bollards near the Morpeth Arms, one of which bears a plaque commemorating the prisoners’ last steps on English soil. It reads:
“Near this site stood Millbank Prison, which opened in 1816 and closed in 1890. This buttress stood at the head of the river steps from which, until 1867, prisoners sentenced to transportation embarked on their journey to Australia.”
It’s a sobering reminder of the lives that passed through this area—and adds a historical weight to every pint pulled at the Morpeth Arms.
The Morpeth Arms and the MI6 Connection
As if the ghosts weren’t enough, there’s another layer of intrigue. The Morpeth Arms sits directly across the river from the MI6 building, home of the UK’s Secret Intelligence Service.
Head upstairs and you’ll discover the pub’s infamous Spy Room—possibly the only pub room in London that encourages peeping through binoculars at the MI6 headquarters across the road. Its perfect for pretending you’re in a Bond film, or just wondering who’s watching whom.
Decked out in cheeky 1920s espionage glamour and themed around Mata Hari, the room is a nod to the building’s nosy neighbours. You might even spot real-life agents grabbing a pint after a day of international intrigue—rumour has it both MI5 and the FBI have made appearances.
Dining at the Morpeth Arms
The Morpeth Arms keeps things real when it comes to food. Their menu is a greatest hits album of British comfort food: flaky pies, sausage and mash, fish and chips, and what they proudly boast is the best Sunday roast in Pimlico. Expect thick cuts of meat, golden potatoes, seasonal veg, Yorkshire puddings so big they double as hats, and proper gravy that sticks to your ribs.
Add to this a friendly bar crew who’ll chat about cricket or ghosts in equal measure, and you’ve got yourself a cosy, character-filled watering hole that feels more like a mate’s living room than a tourist trap.
Listed, Loved, and Looked After
The Morpeth Arms isn’t just a great pub—it’s a Grade II listed building and part of the Young’s pub estate since 1984. When they took it over, the place was lovingly restored, keeping its historic charm while giving it a fresh lick of life.
And let’s not forget its location. This pub is surrounded by iconic London spots—Millbank Tower, Thames House, the MI6 building, and of course, the Tate Britain just down the street. Even better, it's just a short stroll from Westminster, Vauxhall, and Pimlico tube stations, so you’re never far from your next pint.
Visiting the Morpeth Arms
Planning a pint? Here’s when you can swing by:
- Monday to Friday: 11:00 am – 11:00 pm
- Saturday: 11:00 am – 11:30 pm
- Sunday: 12:00 pm – 11:00 pm
Facilities include:
- Traditional pub grub
- Ales aplenty
- Live sports (Cricket, Football, Rugby)
- Terrestrial TV
- Eerie tales and local gossip
Explore Beyond the Morpeth Arms with CityDays
Had your fill of phantoms and pints? Why not take your London adventure a step further with a CityDays scavenger or treasure hunt?
We run exciting team-building tours across the capital (and the globe!) designed to turn any day out into an unforgettable escapade. Solve puzzles, explore hidden corners of the city, and uncover the stories that don't make it into the guidebooks.
Perfect for office outings, birthday bashes, or just a unique day with mates, CityDays makes you the main character in a living, breathing mystery. And who knows—maybe your next pub stop will be even spookier than the Morpeth Arms.
Ready to explore? We’ll bring the clues. You bring your curiosity.
