The Champion, that fine Sam Smith's pub on Wells Street, is well known for its excellent stained glass.
This little pub, near the eastern end of Oxford Street is a multi-coloured gem. It's the next best thing to having a pint of Alpine in a cathedral.
The Grade II listed pub dates from c.1860-1870 but the Victorian and Edwardian heroes and heroines are actually a quite recent addition. They were commissioned from stained glass artist Ann Sotheran and were completed in 1989, over a century after the pub first opened.
I couldn't find a full set of photos anywhere on the internet. So to remedy that, here are images and the accompanying text for all the major panels.
DAVID LIVINGSTONE Originally sent to Africa as a missionary, he explored and mapped vast areas of the continent. 1813-1873
CAPT. MATTHEW WEBB Was the first to swim the English Channel (30 miles in 21 hours) he died swimming across Niagara Falls. 1848-1883
EDWARD WHYMPER Became a traveller and mountaineer first man to climb the Matterhorn and Chimborazo in the Andes 1840-1911
THE CHAMPION
VRI [Victoria Regina Imperatrix] 1837-1901
EARL OF MAYO Richard Bourke an ideal Viceroy and one of the best loved of the rulers of British India 1823-1872
W.G. GRACE A legendary figure whose all round ability and enthusiasm dominated cricket for over thirty years 1848-1915
FLORENCE NIGHTINGALE Gained professional status for nurses and raised hospital standards, especially in the Crimea 1820-1910
BOB FITZSIMMONS “Ruby Robert” is the only Englishman to win three world titles at different weights 1862-1917
YOUNG TOM MORRIS Won four consecutive Open Championships, the first at the age of 17 1851-1875
CAPT BERTIE DWYER “Flying” Bertie Dwyer was one of the early Cresta riders, a President of the St Moritz Tobogganing Club and winner of several trophies 1872-1967
FRED ARCHER Possibly the greatest jockey ever, being Champion jockey for thirteen consecutive years, with twenty-one Classic victories 1857-1886
WILLIAM M. RENSHAW Winner of seven singles and seven doubles cups, he with his brother, made Lawn Tennis into a sport 1861-1904
12-13 Wells Street
London W1T 3PA