Tucked between the bustle of Bloomsbury and Holborn lies one of London’s best-kept secrets: Lamb’s Conduit Street. A street that whispers a confident charm, where independent thinking, timeless style, and good conversation still matter. There’s a genuine community spirit at the core of Lamb’s Conduit, think cyclists roaming the streets, independent menswear shopping and very good coffee. Authentic is the best word to describe the atmosphere.
A STREET WITH SOUL (AND HISTORY)
Lamb’s Conduit Street takes its name from William Lambe, a 16th-century cloth merchant who, in 1564, donated, at the time, a very large sum of £1,500 to rebuild a vital water supply system for the area, the Holborn Conduit. This cistern, fed by a tributary of the River Fleet, provided clean water to the local community. Lambe also supplied 120 pails so that poor women could earn a living selling the water, a simple yet powerful act of social enterprise. Though the conduit was eventually made obsolete by the opening of the New River in 1613 and demolished in 1746, its legacy lives on. You’ll still find a fountain at the north end of the street, and a stone plaque marking the site of the original conduit, quietly commemorating a centuries-old contribution to the public good.
It’s fitting, then, that Lamb’s Conduit Street has remained a place of quiet innovation and independent spirit. There’s a strong sense of community here, the kind that’s rare in modern London, and a shared commitment to quality over quantity.
We’ve recently taken full ownership at number 38, now a true ecological home for us! Since moving there last March we’ve had time to try a few things here and there, naturally a few favourites have emerged, from where we get our morning coffee to where we grab a pint after a day in our shop.
I have curated our little gems into this guide to help you uncover the beauty and charm that lies within Lamb’s Conduit...
Watch this video to learn more (if you prefer videos) or read on...
The Rugby Tavern: For an After-work Catch Up
Our go-to after-work pint spot. It’s full of life, conversation, and the kind of understated energy that makes you stay for “just one more.” Fun fact: the pub was gifted to the public by Rugby School in 1860. The pub mixes the vibe of a traditional British pub with a modern flare and is definitely worth a visit.
A sweet outdoor seating area outside the Rugby Tavern
Noble Rot: Wining and Dining
Number 51: the place for a cheeky glass of (very good) wine. With other locations in Soho and Mayfair, their Bloomsbury location feels very intimate and exclusive - almost like a public private member’s club. Shishi.
With its dim lighting, candlelit tables and walls lined with covers from the restaurant’s in-house magazine, it’s got a quietly intimate charm that suits the street perfectly. This is a true oenophile’s paradise, where the team knows their bottles inside out and are always happy to recommend something unexpected but spot-on.
The food is a fusion of English and French, and is known to be tasty! The perfect spot for an intimate lunch date or for a drink with a friend in the evening.
Walls full of the cult Noble Rot magazine
Pentreath & Hall: A Design Destination
Pentreath & Hall is a treasure trove of eclectic, maximalist design that somehow feels both traditional and completely fresh. Whether you're after a hand-painted lampshade or just a hit of colour inspiration, you will certainly find something interesting and fun within. The shop mixes both curated vintage pieces and their own line of goods. Quirky. Vibrant. Full of character.
"Good things for the home" -Ben Pentreath
Ciao Bella: Our Favourite Italian Spot
A proper Italian classic, full of energy and buzz. We’ve been here a few times for team dinners and we’ve always thoroughly enjoyed the genuinely warm atmosphere of the restaurant, it’s our go-to recommendation when a customer in the shop asks about good places to eat.
A super authentic spot if you're an Italian food lover (who isn’t!)
La Dolce Vita
Honey & Co. Studio: Deli(cious)
While the main Honey & Co. restaurant on Lamb’s Conduit Street draws a steady crowd for its Middle Eastern-inspired dishes (and rightly so), our favourite discovery is tucked just opposite: Honey & Co. Studio, a low-key deli. Sandwiches, salads, cakes and coffees, making it a tasty office break lunch spot as you can grab and go.
Honey & Co Deli for a secret brunch!
The Lamb Pub: A Victorian Gem
A Victorian gem, complete with the original “snob screens”, partitions that once separated the rich from the poor. The pub has been said to have frequented Charles Dickens who lived near by. Today, of course, it’s more democratic, but still full of charm and character, certainly an enjoyable drink or classic pub grub.
Snob partitions at bar level, left over from the victorian times
OUR NEW HOME
At Neem London, we’ve always believed in buying less, but better, in slow style that lasts, and clothes that feel as good to wear as they are for the planet. Being part of a street like this, with its independent spirit and understated confidence, feels exactly right.
Visit us at Neem London, 38 Lamb’s Conduit Street, and make a day of discovering one of London’s most quietly brilliant streets.