While the world’s oldest bar is a hotly-contested title, there’s no denying that “oldest pub” is an equally sought-after accolade, shared by many boozers scattered around the British Isles.
We have listed 15, who claim to be the oldest watering holes in Britain, each with the documents to prove it.The UK’s publicans take the history of their premises extremely seriously, and fiercely contest each others’ claims to fame.
From centuries-old liquor licenses to name-checks in the Domesday book, scroll through to see which pubs make the best cases for being Britain’s oldest boozers.
1.8 miles
Edinburgh, Midlothian, EH15
Serving Scottish pub food and real ale for over 600 years, with a similarly veteran skittle alley.The earliest license for an inn on the site of Edinburgh’s Sheep Heid Inn was granted in 1360, which would make it Scotland’s oldest-surviving public house.
Near me
4.4