Pubs are fertile ground for tall tales, with many claiming to be the oldest pub in England.
Several pubs claim to have been mentioned in the Domesday Book of 1086, while others claim Anglo-Saxon origins or links to the medieval Knights Templar. Where evidence is absent, the imagination often fills in the gaps.
Several contenders for ‘England’s oldest pub’ are familiar names, but does the evidence support them?
To begin, we’ll look at some well-known claimants.
Ye Olde Fighting Cocks, St Albans, claimed 793
Reputedly the ‘oldest public house in England’, Ye Olde Fighting Cocks in St Albans, Hertfordshire, is an interesting building in its own right but is not as ancient as claimed.
It is reputed to date to 793. However, this year was first mentioned on an early-20th century postcard and is not based on historic records.
Instead, the octagonal structure started off as a dovecote, dated around 1400, which originally stood at the nearby monastery.
The entire timber-frame was then reassembled as a domestic house on the present site around 1600. It was known as The Three Pigeons in 1756 and was serving beer as The Fighting Cocks by 1807.
The Bingley Arms, Bardsey, claimed 953
The Bingley Arms near Leeds in West Yorkshire claims to be early medieval in origin. Some say that it’s mentioned in the Domesday Book of 1086.
Sadly, no evidence supports this 11th century date and there are no pubs mentioned anywhere in the Domesday Book.
The building is a good example of mid-18th century West Yorkshire vernacular style, consistent with a surviving 1738 datestone.
Bardsley’s Church of All Hallows does have an Anglo-Saxon tower, and the town itself is mentioned in the Domesday Book. But locals probably had to wait a little longer for somewhere to have a drink.
Ye Olde Trip to Jerusalem, Nottingham, claimed 1189
In bold black letters, Ye Olde Trip to Jerusalem claims to be ‘the oldest inn in England’.
It is widely assumed that the name refers to crusading knights who stopped off for a crafty pint on their way to the Holy Land.
The Trip stands in Brewhouse Yard which was part of Nottingham Castle until the 17th century when the present building and caves were created.
The earliest reference to its use as a pub, called the Pilgrim, comes from 1751. By 1799 the name had been changed to the Trip.
The earliest mention of the Trip as the oldest pub in England comes from around 1910 when the landlord drummed up trade with new signage.
However, the Trip probably isn’t even the oldest pub in Nottingham. That accolade likely belongs to The Bell Inn, which is a mid-15th century building that was in use as a pub by the 1630s.
What is the oldest pub in England?
Public houses evolved gradually over the centuries in England. The traditional pubs that we experience today are mainly a product of the 19th century.
Yet lodged within the DNA of the humble pub are the alehouses, taverns, and inns of the medieval period.
Alehouses existed throughout the medieval period but, as far as we know, none survive. Taverns, which catered to a higher class of urban, wine-drinking, patrons were fewer in number, yet none are still operational. Inns offered bedchambers, food, and drink to travellers.
Inns appeared from the late 12th century onwards and some later examples are still trading today. They were often founded by religious or educational institutions to cater for travelling pilgrims, merchants, and elite households.
Their structures were usually built around galleried courtyards and had impressive street frontages intended to impress wealthy patrons.
Inns have the best survival rate from the medieval period and offer the best opportunity to answer the question ‘what is the oldest pub in England?’.
Here are some of the contenders:
The Angel and Royal, Grantham, around 1450
The Angel and Royal in Grantham, Lincolnshire, is one of around a dozen English inns dating to the 15th century. It has an imposing stone range at the front of the building that is reminiscent of contemporary castle architecture.
This would have been attractive to the inn’s aristocratic clientele, which even included Richard III in 1483.
The King’s Head, Aylesbury, around 1450
The King’s Head is located at a prime spot in the Market Square of Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire. The oldest part of the structure was built around 1450.
It contained the coat of arms of Henry VI and Margaret of Anjou in painted glass. They were married in 1445 and it seems unlikely that a window celebrating them would been inserted during the tumultuous years of the Wars of the Roses, which broke out in 1455.
The New Inn, Gloucester, 1432
The New Inn in Gloucester is a well-preserved example of a galleried courtyard inn.
Tree-ring dating indicates that construction began in 1432. It was built upon the instructions of John Twyning, a monk at the former Benedictine Abbey of St Peter (now Gloucester Cathedral), as a hostelry for travellers.
Following the Dissolution of the Monasteries in the 16th century, the inn passed to the Dean and Chapter of Gloucester Cathedral.
The earliest written reference to the building comes from the 1450s. There were at least 20 bedchambers. Given that each could have held several beds, the New Inn could accommodate around 200 guests.
Henry Tudor House, Shrewsbury, 1426 to 1431
Henry Tudor House on Wyle Cop in Shrewsbury is a 3-storey property which was built for the local MP, Hugh Wygan, in the 15th century.
It has tree-ring dating which shows that the oldest part is the rear wing, dated to 1426, with the front range dated to 1430 to 1431.
It included shops, a brewhouse, taproom and accommodation which attracted guests entering the town from the east over the English Bridge.
It is rumoured to have hosted Henry Tudor (the future Henry VII) during the Bosworth campaign against Richard III in 1485.
The George Inn, Norton St Philip, late 14th century
The George Inn in Norton St Philip, Somerset, has the strongest claim to be England’s earliest surviving purpose-built inn.
It was originally built in the late 14th century for the Carthusian monks of Hinton Charterhouse to provide accommodation for merchants attending the monastery’s markets and fairs.
Many of the inn’s structures were added during the 15th century, including the timber frame and roof at the front of the building. This was added using timber felled between 1430 and 1432.
The Medieval Inn
There are around a dozen purpose-built inns which survive from the medieval period and are still open for business in England.
The oldest date from the late 14th and 15th centuries. Many pubs make the claim to be older, but its seems that the evidence is often lacking.
However, pubs are a tremendous cultural asset which should be celebrated and enjoyed regardless of their age.
Written in consultation with Dr James Wright FSA
England’s Historic Pubs
Pull up a bar stool or make yourself comfortable in your favourite ‘snug’ and explore our work on understanding, protecting and showcasing England’s well-loved but vulnerable historic pubs. As well as us playing ‘mine host’, you can get involved in sharing your knowledge and photographs of listed pubs.
Further reading
- 11 Listed Pubs with Fascinating Histories
- 10 of England’s Best Post-War Pubs
- Licence to Chill: 11 of England’s Most Haunted Pubs
So is the “modern definition” of a pub is the following, “The public house was a 19th century development, distinctive from the earlier BEER HOUSE by its decorative treatment and fittings”?
If so, which is the oldest Beer House in England “A building licensed for the sale of beer.”?
The Old Bridge Inn at Ripponden doesn’t make any “oldest” claims, but reckons it “dates from 1307”.
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… although it doesn’t look anything like that old to me!
However, as the listing details on the Historic England website say “Public house, first recorded landlord John Hurstwood 1754” that would surely earn it a place in this list.
The old sun inn , retford , notts is one of the oldest buildings in the town and predates the great fire of retford mid 17th century , not sure of its exact age though or how long it has been an inn
The old sun inn , retford , notts predates the fire which destroyed much of the medieval town mid 17th century . I cant confirm exactly how old it is or how long it has been an inn but it must be a contender
Probably 16th century https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1302391?section=official-list-entry
Where does the “ye olde man & scythe” Bolton, feature in the history of pubs? Claims to have been established in 1251 and also be the location where the former Earl of Derby spent his last hours prior to his execution in 1651.
No mention of the 13thC Man and Scythe in Bolton Lancs? One of the 10th oldest pubs in England
Love these stories. Here’s one for consideration – the Dun Cow, Shrewsbury. Legend has it that it was built to serve workers building Shrewsbury Abbey, which dates from 1085 !
I thought that the Bell Inn in Finedon, Northamptonshire was the oldest in terms of licensed premises.
Stayed ar The George and Pilgrim a few years ago . Absolutely historic in every way . Stayed for one night and intend to visit again.
I live in Malmesbury, there are at least two older inn’s than the Kings Arms, the three cups was the pilgrims Inn during the construction of the Abbey, it has 3 foot thick stone walls , the old bell Hotel was an Inn with a 4 foot thick wall right next to the Abbey, the white lion was an Inn (no longer a pub) where the stone masons lived/lodged during construction of the Abbey, the Abbey has been built for over a thousand years . !
The Three Cups is 17th century https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1269446?section=official-list-entry
The Star in Hoddesdon claims to date back to 1450.
The unicorn in Norton Stockton on tees
Should be in the mix 720 years on same spot
Royal oak,in the shambles, Chesterfield
That pub is closed (for the benefit of the drinking public IMO) so not sure still in the running.
The Scotch Piper Inn claims to be the oldest pub in Lancashire.Est 1320 AD
One of those preposterous claims! Actually probably 16th century https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1343315?section=official-list-entry
The Red Lion Hotel, Salisbury claims to be Europe’s oldest purpose-built hotel; it celebrated its 800th birthday as a purpose-built hostelry in 2020.
The George Inn at Norton St Phillip is a cracking pub. It also has an enclosed inner, galleried, courtyard like the one you have depicted for the Oxford Arms above. It’s in a very beautiful area of countryside too, just south of Bath, so well worth a visit.
Virgins and castle Kenilworth 1563 AD
1470 the roebuck, warwick
The fleece hotel Gloucester
No mention of the Royal Standard of England in Forty Green near Beaconsfield
To add to your article, The Royal Oak in Winchester claims to be the oldest bar in England.
The old crown Digbeth in Birmingham 1368
There is a local tale about the George and Pilgrims in Glastonbury… people say that King Henry VIII stayed there at the Inn, in a room which overlooked Glastonbury Abbey, so he could personally witness the destruction of the Abbey during the dissolution of the monasteries (as at the time Glastonbury was one of the most powerful and influential in the country). No idea if there’s any actual evidence of him staying at the Inn, but its a good story!
There is a pub in Barnsley with a sign on the front claiming to be the oldest pub in England – The Mill of the Black Monks. The building dates from about 1150, but it obviously wasn’t a pub back then.
The Adam and Eve in Norwich had been a tavern since 1241.
Surely the Blackbird, at Ponteland, must be in contention. Some of the present building provided refreshment in the 13th century.
Personally, I don’t think the Romans used it as a pub/alehouse, even if roman stonework WAS found there, and the village was named by them.
I believe the Red Lion, Below Bar in Southampton may be 11th century and was also used as a court house for trials of treason against the King and it is reputed that hangings subsequently occurred there after the trials. The pub still exists today but is rather tired.
Could you check The Royal Oak in Winchester, please. They assert it’s pub from 1002. Is it true?
Hi Svetlana, if this is the right building, it appears to be from the 15th century: https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1322135
The Old Crown, Deritend/Digbeth, Birmingham, 1368.
The Duke of Wellington in Southampton claims to date back to the 12th century.
How about the Mermaid Inn in Rye – was rebuilt in 1420 after being burned down (along with the rest of Rye) by raiders from Boulogne in the 14th century. The cellars are said to date from the 12th century
The Adam and Eve in Norwich was there when they were building the cathedral in 1245
Ye Olde Trip To Jerusalem’s older claim is due to the age of the caves incorporated into the building. The caves were said to be used as a brewhouse for the castle above from when it was built after 1068. The Inn itself wasn’t built until much later as noted.
George and Dragon Flockton 1425
I should have liked to see the Little Gem, Aylesford (12th century) and the Stag Inn, Hastings (circa 1547) mentioned here. A couple of really iconic watering holes
The grasshopper on green Westerham kent was the first to be built Westerham the workers then stayed there to build the church. This is 13th century.
The Cock, Welwyn, Herts.
I was going to say what about the Mermaid. it was a staging post for agincourt.
I was under the impression the oldest was in Buxton where Mary queen of Scot’s was imprisoned