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.
10 miles
Great Lever, Bolton, BL1
Bolton's Oldest pub, 4th Oldest Pub in Britain, 5th oldest in the world and proudly serving a wide range of Ciders and Real Ales since 1251