Oldest Pubs in England Worth Visiting

England has thousands of pubs, but a special handful have been pouring drinks, in one form or another, for many centuries. Visiting the oldest pubs in England is a brilliant way to explore history: low beams, uneven floors, cave cellars and stories of kings, pilgrims and highwaymen. This guide covers historic inns across the country that are well known for their age and character, along with what to look out for when you visit.

One important caveat: the title of oldest pub in England is hotly contested. Many dates are based on tradition, the age of the site rather than the current building, or records that are open to interpretation. We describe each pub’s claim rather than treating it as settled fact. Opening hours and ownership also change, so always check the pub’s official website before you travel.

The Famous Contenders for Oldest Pub

These pubs are regularly mentioned in debates about which is England’s oldest.

Ye Olde Trip to Jerusalem, Nottingham

Perhaps the most famous of all, this pub carries the date 1189 on its walls and is linked by tradition to crusaders setting off for the Holy Land. Parts of the pub are carved into the sandstone rock beneath Nottingham Castle, and its caves were likely used as brewhouse and storage. Historians debate the exact date, but the atmosphere is undeniably ancient.

Ye Olde Fighting Cocks, St Albans

This octagonal building near St Albans Cathedral claims a very early history, with suggestions that the site dates back to the eighth century, although the current structure is considerably younger. Its name refers to cockfighting, which once took place there and has been illegal in England since the nineteenth century. The pub has had periods of closure in recent years, so check that it is open before planning a trip.

The Old Ferry Boat Inn, Holywell, Cambridgeshire

Set beside the River Great Ouse, this thatched inn claims that alcohol has been served on the site since the sixth century. It is also famous for a local ghost story. The riverside setting makes it a lovely summer stop.

The Porch House, Stow-on-the-Wold, Gloucestershire

This Cotswold inn claims origins in the tenth century and has, at times, promoted itself as the oldest inn in England. Its stone walls and timber beams fit perfectly with the honey-coloured town around it.

The Royal Standard of England, Forty Green, Buckinghamshire

A country pub near Beaconsfield that claims Saxon origins. According to its own history, it gained its unusual name after Charles II granted it permission to use the royal title.

Historic Pubs in London

London’s pubs have survived plague, fire, war and redevelopment. These are among the capital’s most atmospheric.

The George Inn, Southwark

London’s last surviving galleried coaching inn, rebuilt in 1677 after a fire, and now owned by the National Trust. Stagecoaches once departed from its yard, and the wooden galleries give a sense of what travel was like centuries ago.

Ye Olde Cheshire Cheese, Fleet Street

Rebuilt shortly after the Great Fire of London in 1666, this pub is a warren of dark, wood-panelled rooms and narrow staircases. It has long been associated with writers and journalists from the days when Fleet Street was the home of the British press.

The Prospect of Whitby, Wapping

Often described as London’s oldest riverside pub, with origins traditionally dated to around 1520. Its flagstone floor, pewter bar and Thames views make it a favourite with visitors.

The Spaniards Inn, Hampstead

Dating back to the sixteenth century, this pub on the edge of Hampstead Heath is linked by legend to the highwayman Dick Turpin and has connections with several famous writers.

Historic Pubs in the Midlands and North

Some of the most characterful old pubs lie outside the big tourist routes.

Ye Olde Salutation Inn, Nottingham

Just a short walk from the Trip to Jerusalem, this pub also claims a medieval history, with rock-cut caves beneath it. Visiting both in one afternoon makes an excellent history crawl, at a gentle pace.

Ye Olde Man and Scythe, Bolton

This pub is recorded in documents from the mid-thirteenth century. It is also linked with the execution of the Earl of Derby in 1651 during the English Civil War, a story the pub proudly shares.

The Adam and Eve, Norwich

One of Norwich’s oldest pubs, with records going back to the thirteenth century. It is believed to have once served workers building the nearby cathedral, and later monks from the area.

Historic Inns in the South and West

Southern and western England are packed with coaching inns and village pubs with deep roots.

The Ostrich Inn, Colnbrook, Berkshire

This historic inn near Heathrow claims origins in the early twelfth century and has a famously dark local legend about a former landlord. The timber-framed building is well worth seeing.

The Old Bell, Malmesbury, Wiltshire

Next to Malmesbury Abbey, this is often described as one of the oldest hotels in England, with origins traditionally dated to the early thirteenth century, when it is said to have housed visitors to the abbey.

Coaching inns of market towns

Many market towns have an old coaching inn on the main street, often called the George, the Bell, the Swan or the White Hart. Look for wide archways, which were built to let stagecoaches into the courtyard.

What to Look for in an Ancient Pub

Old pubs reward curious visitors. Keep an eye out for these features.

• Low beams and uneven floors: signs of centuries of settling and repair. Mind your head.
• Inglenook fireplaces: wide, deep fireplaces that once heated the whole room and were used for cooking.
• Caves and cellars: some pubs, particularly in Nottingham, have cellars cut into rock.
• Coaching arches: wide entrances that let horses and carriages through.
• Historic plaques: many pubs display information about their past; listed building status may also be noted.
• Old games: look out for traditional pub games such as ring the bull or bar billiards in some historic pubs.

Planning a Historic Pub Day Out

Visiting several old pubs can make a wonderful day trip, especially if you combine them with nearby sights.

• Nottingham: pair a visit to the castle grounds and caves with lunch at one of the historic pubs at the foot of Castle Rock.
• St Albans: explore the cathedral and Verulamium Park, which contains remains of the Roman city, before stopping for a drink nearby.
• Southwark: walk from Borough Market to the George Inn, then along the river to other historic pubs on the South Bank.
• Cotswolds: combine a drive through honey-coloured villages with lunch in a centuries-old inn at Stow-on-the-Wold.
• Norwich: visit the cathedral and the medieval lanes before a drink at one of the city’s oldest pubs.

Book a table in advance if you plan to eat, particularly at weekends, and choose a designated driver or travel by train and bus so everyone can relax.

Tips for Visiting Historic Pubs

• Check opening hours and food times online before visiting; small historic pubs can have limited hours.
• Visit midweek or early in the day if you want to see the interior without crowds.
• Ask before taking photos of other customers, and be respectful in small rooms.
• Many old pubs have steps and narrow doorways, so check accessibility in advance.
• If you are touring several pubs, use public transport, pace yourself, and enjoy soft drinks or half pints between stops.

History by the Half Pint

Whether or not any single pub can truly claim to be the oldest, these historic inns offer something you cannot find anywhere else: a chance to sit where people have gathered, talked and raised a glass for hundreds of years. Pick one or two near you, check they are open, and settle in by the fire with a drink and a good story.