Nathaniel Bentley (c. 1735–1809), commonly known as Dirty Dick, was an 18th-century merchant who owned a hardware shop and warehouse in London, and is one person who is considered as a possible inspiration for Miss Havisham in Charles Dickens' Great Expectations after he refused to wash following the death of his fiancée on their wedding day
Bentley had been quite a dandy in his youth, but following the death of his fiancée on their wedding day he refused to wash or clean and for the rest of his life lived in squalor. His house and warehouse shop became so filthy that he became a celebrity of dirt. Any letter addressed to "The Dirty Warehouse, London" would be delivered to Bentley. He stopped trading in 1804. The warehouse was later demolished.
A pub on Bishopsgate which Bentley once owned changed its name from The Old Jerusalem to Dirty Dick's, and recreated the look of Bentley's warehouse shop.
The contents, including cobwebs and dead cats, were originally a part of the cellar bar, but have now been tidied to a glass display case ( photo bottom right).
12.30 and very few people in the pub, the last time I visited Dirty Dicks was 50 years ago, and then, it still had the cobwebs and wierd stuff in every corner!. Will try and find more interesting places when the heat dies down 🙂x
Written by
Bazzak
Reading Rabbits
To view profiles and participate in discussions please or .
The ability to reply to this post has been turned off.
Wow! That's a very interesting and informative walk/outing. We had a place out here a long time ago called Roy's Place. It was a bar and sandwich place, but finally closed. It was in the Olde Town part of my City/County. The names of the sandwiches had very interesting and funny names!
Yes fine, thank you, It is so hot here at the moment, they do say thunder storms are on the way, but who in this world believes a weather forecaster. I'd be more likely to believe Marnie22 is 29!! 😁😁x
Yes, it's hot here, too and very sunny, so the forecasters may not be right. One day recently, they said it was suppose to rain at the hours closer to 12 noon and 1 pm, but it showed up closer to 10 am that day! Very odd how they think they know so much and they keep getting it wrong!
No. Usually one hour or less due to pain. It did ease off a little this afternoon so I managed a couple of hours sleep!! I know when this happens it will come back with avengence!!
Just sleep when you can.
I took ill health retirement 2 years ago. My boss was brilliant and tried everything but in the end it had to be. It took me a long time to accept it but I know she was right. I've stayed in touch with Lindsay and my many friends from work. I'm very lucky to have a great support network of family and friends and of course all of you on here.
It's our Pearl wedding anniversary in September and I couldn't have wished for a better husband, his name's David. Our sons Mike and Ian have lovely girlfriends Alannah and Chantelle respectively. They are all fantastic!! Take care and stay safe Lynne
It's so lovely that you have such a supportive family around you Lynne. Stay safe and try and sleep tonight, you never know you might miss Activity's competition and give somebody else a chance!!😁👍♥️
Many hundreds of years ago I saw Judi Dench and Anthony Hopkins in Anthony and Cleopatra at the National Theatre. It was wonderful. I love Judi Dench! 😀🌸
Yes, I was at university as a 'mature student,' studying English language and literature starting in '85. I was at Southampton and it was a student trip to London. Wasn't mature then. Still not. 😁🌸
So do I but unfortunately didnt see that production.I saw the Helen Mirren and Alan Rickman one at the NT and it was awful.The audience laughed when Antony died!I was very disappointed as I was expecting it to be excellent.
Btw my hubby works with someone called Mark Anthony.His nickname-Cleopatra☺
I was being nice to you young lady, you better decide who's side you are on ! Look I'm mature, well, well mature!, and Marnie is a stripling 29 year old. 😇⚘xx
Lucky you!! I'm happy you got some sleep I wouldn't wish anyone to have the sort of nights I have. I actually swore tonight when I was reading and I never swear, only bloody and that's it!! It's really getting me down but I'm trying to stay positive 👍😊
We go to Lake Garda- Garda town. We have been going there for 23 years and we love it. It suits me because it is flat so I can walk around easily. We have got to know the hotel owner and his family as well as some of the regular guests so it feels like home.Sadly we can't go this year as our flights were cancelled -and in any case, as I have just finished shielding I didn't want to risk the airports! I would have been confident to go to Italy. I keep thinking- about now we would have been landing at Verona airport!!!
Oh well- I will just have to buy a bottle of Aperol and make my own spritz!
Very interesting. Have you been to the Blue Posts In Soho? They have a really good band on a Sunday night called the fallen hero’s. (Well until lockdown!) Ali
To be fair to the pub, they were very covid aware. Name and mobile number taken, hand sanitizer, only table service and no cash, just card. It sounds slightly over the top, but to be fair to them they are protecting themselves and you!. And the staff couldn't have been more friendly. Xx
Sounds slightly ott but to be honest I'd rather have it that way.I've only been in one cafe locally that took my name and phone no.Some places don't even have a screen in front of the till.
Regarding being Covid aware, story in my paper, about a waiter in Paris (he was described as being "Insouciant" I had to look it up, rather a Gaelic shrug). He was serving to a table outside the restaurant, gloves and face mask, saw 4 friends going by, he then removed face mask, gave each friend a kiss on each cheek, replaced mask and went back to work!! Still better than the Celtic footballer, who went on holiday to Spain, did not tell anyone and did not isolate.
Hi Barry! Seduced by a pub!! Well I never!! Defo too hot for walking, I was so grateful for the aircon at work today! I like a good story about a pub's history. xx
Do you like ghost stories?, I went to one before but they didn't open till 12, not only the ghost but Madonna, Wellington and a few others were regulars! Xx
Went there many years ago and was surprised that people were invited to stick chewing gum or anything else to the wall! From your photos it certainly looks like it's been cleaned up, I'd forgotten that place until I saw your post! Brave of you, out walking in that heat yesterday! Take care
Yes, but only the park now, I am back to looking after my grandson (3) . I have get the the train, pick him up bring him home, off to the park, then entertain him till I take him home at 6. I'm shattered at moment!!.🙂xx
Grandparenting is very rewarding.,but can be exhausting I know! We've got 17, lock downs been a revelation of peace and quiet for me😂Take care, enjoy your time with him x
Just a quick message. You mentioned the other day that you had thought of going to see Hampton Court Palace by rail, I see that there is a programme at 8.00pm tonight on Channel 4.
You may have been, l am not sure? If not l thought it a good opportunity for you to do some research.
The place has character, I'm pleased such places were lucky to survive the war or spared from bad post war planning, where they pulled down such buildings to build brutalist concrete carbuncles .
The ability to reply to this post has been turned off.
Content on HealthUnlocked does not replace the relationship between you and doctors or other healthcare professionals nor the advice you receive from them.
Never delay seeking advice or dialling emergency services because of something that you have read on HealthUnlocked.
