The Marquess is built on the site of Edward Miles' coffee house, one of the first in London in 1663, and the site of a licensed victualler. Licensed in 1752 as the Barley Mow and the Green Man from 1755 until 1815. It was then renamed the Marquis of Anglesea after William Henry Paget (then the Earl of Uxbridge) who was elevated for his exploits at the Battle of Waterloo when as cavalry commander he lost a leg to one of the last cannon shots fired on June 18th 1815. Reputedly he was near to the Duke of Wellington and exclaimed "By God, sir, I've lost my leg!", to which Wellington replied "By God, sir, so you have!"
Rebuilt in 1880, the pub has also been in the wars having been bomb-damaged in WWII; shrapnel damage can still be seen on the outside. A rather unremarkable building, it was rebuilt in 1956; the current spelling of the pub name dates from 1979.
One of a limited number of Young's pubs in central London, the split level ground floor bar has some comfortable settee seating while upstairs there is a plush "Lady Charlotte" bar and restaurant area.
In addition to five real ales there is Guinness on offer plus five keg beers/lagers.