the plough in Bow Common, London

Ye Olde Plough House was established 45 years ago by Mr Monk and started life as a small coffee shop without mains water and with no bathrooms or toilets. Extensive work has been undertaken over the years in order to refurbish and modernise the building and grounds. The old track from Brentwood through Bulphan to Tilbury once formed part of the Pilgrims way for those travelling to the shrines of Thomas a Becket in Canterbury and Our Lady of Walsingham, in Norfolk. One can imagine the weary pilgrims as they sought shelter, food and hospitality around the central health of Ye Olde Plough House. For apart from ruffians the whole area was rife with malaria. Today travellers still find sanctuary at Ye Olde Plough House on the busy A128 but they are travellers of a different kind. Now Ye Olde Plough House offers a warm welcome to passing motorists, tourists, foreign visitors on their way from the docks, businessmen and anyone who needs, for one reason or another, to be away from home.