| Boleyn Tavern | |
|---|---|
 The Boleyn Tavern | |
  Boleyn Tavern  Boleyn Tavern | |
| General information | |
| Address | 1Barking Road,East Ham,East London |
| Town or city | London |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Coordinates | 51°31′49″N0°02′17″E / 51.5304°N 0.0381°E /51.5304; 0.0381 |
| Opened | 1900 |
| Designations | |
Listed Building – Grade II | |
| Official name | Boleyn Tavern Public House |
| Designated | 25 October 1984 |
| Reference no. | 1293693 |
TheBoleyn Tavern is aGrade II listedpublic house inEast Ham,East London, England at the junction ofBarking Road andGreen Street.[1]
It was built in 1899–1900, with the entrance consoles bearing a 1900 date.[1] The Tavern was frequented byWest Ham United F.C. supporters due to its proximity to West Ham's ground, theBoleyn Ground. Often at risk from vandalism from opposing supporters, it would have its windows boarded up for alocal derby such asWest Ham and Millwall.[2]
It is on theCampaign for Real Ale'sNational Inventory of Historic Pub Interiors.[3]
The local tradition is thatMahatma Gandhi visited the Boleyn Tavern at least once in 1931. In that year Gandhi was in London for three months fortalks on the future of India; he was based atKingsley Hall inBromley-by-Bow, and was enthusiastically received byEast Enders.[4][5]
It is said that Gandhi attended severalWest Ham games during his stay[6] and visited the Boleyn Tavern, where he drankcream soda while discussing football and radical politics with local people.[7] Gandhi was a keen football fan, establishing three teams in South Africa,[8] and already had a strong connection to West Ham through his friendship with its founder,Arnold Hills, while living in London completing his law studies in 1888–91. During this period Hills brought the young Gandhi onto the executive committee of theLondon Vegetarian Society.
Gandhi took long early-morning walks during his 1931 stay in London, and often used the nearbySewerbank (or Greenway) betweenStratford andPlaistow.[9] Gandhi metCharlie Chaplin in nearbyCanning Town.[10]
