A historic pub with connections to both hit TV series Peaky Blinders, and a famous jazzman, has reopened following a six-figure refurbishment.

Dating back to 1839, The Lyttelton Arms in Mornington Crescent is steeped in Camden Town history and bursting with quirky charm following its colourful revamp.

Since 2007 it has been named after trumpeter Humphrey Lyttleton, who lived in Hampstead until his death in 2008, and hosted BBC Radio 4 panel show I'm Sorry I Haven't A Clue, which features the game Mornington Crescent.

Ham & High: The pub has a jaunty new colour scheme but dates back to 1839 when it was called The Southampton ArmsThe pub has a jaunty new colour scheme but dates back to 1839 when it was called The Southampton Arms (Image: Mitchells and Butlers)

But before that it was called The Southampton Arms and was embroiled in the notorious Racetrack wars between rival gangs - including the Clerkenwell-based Sabini Brothers, Freddie Gilbert's Finsbury Boys and Camden Town’s George Sage - over who could manipulate horse race betting in southern England.

The gang warfare inspired a plotline in Peaky Blinders, but real-life landlord Arthur Grout was in the thick of it when his pub became a meeting place for the gangs.

Ham & High: Murals celebrate the pub's name after jazz trumpeter and composer Humphrey LytteltonMurals celebrate the pub's name after jazz trumpeter and composer Humphrey Lyttelton (Image: Mitchells and Butlers)

As the St Pancras Gazette reported on October 6, 1922 under the headline Racing Men's Feuds: 'At Marylebone on Tuesday, Alfred White, Joseph Sabini, George West, Simon Nyberg, Paul Boffa, and Thomas Mack made their eighth appearance on the charges of shooting George Sage and Frederick Gilbert with intent to murder, at Mornington-crescent, on August 19, having loaded revolvers on their possession with intent to endanger life, and riotously assembling.

'Helen Sage, wife of one of the prosecutors, said she was talking to her husband outside the Southampton Arms at Camden Town when several taxicabs drove up and a number of men alighted. She then heard a shot, but could not say who fired, as it was dark. The witness admitted that she told the police that West and White fired the shots, but now declared that this statement was untrue.'

Ham & High: There is now a bright colour scheme inside with animal print seatingThere is now a bright colour scheme inside with animal print seating (Image: Mitchells and Butlers)

Now owned by pub operator Mitchells and Butlers, the pub has had a modern makeover with colourful murals and animal-print seating where customers can watch sports, and enjoy food from Sunday roasts to burger nights, bottomless brunches and buffets.