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.
St Ives, Cambridgeshire, PE27
Overlooking the Great Ouse river, The Old Ferry Boat is reputedly England’s oldest inn. Located in the hamlet of Holywell, the thatched roof and white stonework have remained for many years, while modern furnishings and contemporary comforts create a hom
London E1
The Prospect of Whitby is a historic public house on the banks of the Thames at Wapping in the London Borough of Tower Hamlets. It lays claim to being the site of the oldest riverside tavern, dating from around 1520.
St Albans, Hertfordshire, AL3
Warmly furnished pub serving classic British fare & rotating beers, plus weekly live music. Ye Olde Fighting Cocks is recognised as the oldest pub in the UK by the Guinness Book of World Records.
Forty Green, Beaconsfield, HP9
Truly historic pub with nooks and crannies, gnarled timbers, worn flagstones and carved oak panels.The first evidence historians can find of the Royal Standard of England in Beaconsfield is listed in the Domesday Book, dating back to 1086.
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.
Nottingham, Nottinghamshire, NG1
Officially the city’s second-oldest pub, Ye Olde Salutation Inn dates to 1240.
Llanvihangel Crucorney, Abergavenny, NP7
Reputed to be one of the oldest pubs in Wales, the Skirrid has a woven itself into history & folkore. Shakespeare himself is said to have taken inspiration from this place & Owain Glyndwr may have rallied his men on this very site.
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
Nottingham, Nottinghamshire, NG1
Established in 1189, but there is no concrete historical evidence for this. The first documented evidence of a pub in this location dates back to 1751, but ask any Nottingham student and they will be adamant this is the real deal.
Nottingham, Nottinghamshire, NG1
Naturally, being an old pub we have a good selection or real draught ales available at all times, and we like to make sure we have some local guest ales to help support our community too.