# What is the oldest pub in England? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [February 12, 2009, 8:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-oldest-pub-in-england/485587 "2009-02-12T20:43:51Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 17\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![GorillaMan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/50afbb/32.png) [@GorillaMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GorillaMan)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2009, 1:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-oldest-pub-in-england/485587/21 "2009-02-13T01:14:50Z")
> [@ralph124c](#): > > Are any of these places listed in the Domesday BooK? I’d be surprised. I’m not an expert on the topic by any means, but my understanding is that the Domesday Book was concerned with the king making sure he knew what he was due tax from, and as (at that time) alcohol sales were irrelevant, a place selling them was of no interest. ---
**Author:** ![Cluricaun](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/bb73d2/32.png) [@Cluricaun](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cluricaun)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2009, 1:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-oldest-pub-in-england/485587/22 "2009-02-13T01:55:59Z")
But again to fight my ignorance, these are all regular spots to have a drink right? They’re all open like any other pub, and people still drink in them on the regular right? Are they nasty and old, or are they quaint and cute? ---
**Author:** ![Cluricaun](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/bb73d2/32.png) [@Cluricaun](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cluricaun)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2009, 2:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-oldest-pub-in-england/485587/23 "2009-02-13T02:03:13Z")
> [@An\_Gadai](#): > > A pub in [Dublin](http://www.brazenhead.com/) claims to be from 1198. I know it’s not in England so I don’t really know why I’m posting! Ireland of course takes the prize when it comes to old pubs. [Sean’s](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sean%27s_Bar) in Athlone is known of course to be the oldest pub in the islands. ---
**Author:** ![An\_Gadai](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/d6d6ee/32.png) [@An\_Gadai](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/An_Gadai)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2009, 2:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-oldest-pub-in-england/485587/24 "2009-02-13T02:07:22Z")
Ya still couldn’t get me to visit Athlone though. Cluricaun, if you’re ever in Dublin (again?) you should visit The Gravediggers. It has a bar that has decor from the 19th century if not a bit earlier. It also does a fine pint of Guinness and is nestled just beside Glasnevin Cemetery which is of interest if you’re into Irish history. ---
**Author:** ![Cluricaun](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/bb73d2/32.png) [@Cluricaun](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cluricaun)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2009, 2:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-oldest-pub-in-england/485587/25 "2009-02-13T02:15:45Z")
> [@An\_Gadai](#): > > Ya still couldn’t get me to visit Athlone though. Cluricaun, if you’re ever in Dublin (again?) you should visit The Gravediggers. It has a bar that has decor from the 19th century if not a bit earlier. It also does a fine pint of Guinness and is nestled just beside Glasnevin Cemetery which is of interest if you’re into Irish history. The next time I’m in Dublin, you’re taking me around before the Irishdope and showing me all sorts of fun shit. Then we’ll carry one another into the Dopefest for another round. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![An\_Gadai](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/d6d6ee/32.png) [@An\_Gadai](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/An_Gadai)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2009, 2:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-oldest-pub-in-england/485587/26 "2009-02-13T02:24:56Z")
It’s a deal my fren. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Peter\_Morris](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/peter_morris/32/359_2.png) [@Peter\_Morris](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Peter_Morris)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2009, 4:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-oldest-pub-in-england/485587/27 "2009-02-13T04:38:47Z")
> [@Cluricaun](#): > > So if it’s just 8 or 9 it would be possible then for a tourist to stop in and have a pint at each then, so that one could say that you’ve had a pint or four at the oldest pubs in England. Interesting. The tradition is to go to each of them and to drink a [yard of ale](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yard_(beer)) at each. The few people to manage this feat are said to have done the whole nine yards. d+r ---
**Author:** ![Future\_Londonite](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/9dc877/32.png) [@Future\_Londonite](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Future_Londonite)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2009, 9:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-oldest-pub-in-england/485587/28 "2009-02-13T09:48:43Z")
> [@Cluricaun](#): > > But again to fight my ignorance, these are all regular spots to have a drink right? They’re all open like any other pub, and people still drink in them on the regular right? Are they nasty and old, or are they quaint and cute? well given that the old fighting cocks is a mere 10mins walk from my house and thus a place I frequent now and then, I can tell you that it is quaint and old somewhat cute insiade and out, far from nasty though a few cobwebs can be found (that rather add to the charm). The old fighting cocks serves actually quite decent food is quite popular among the locals (not just tourists) ---
**Author:** ![Capt.Ridley\_s\_Shooting\_Party](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/cc9497/32.png) [@Capt.Ridley\_s\_Shooting\_Party](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Capt.Ridley_s_Shooting_Party)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2009, 10:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-oldest-pub-in-england/485587/29 "2009-02-13T10:52:07Z")
The Man and Scythe in Bolton doesn’t count, it was rebuilt much later, although it’s of interest, as The Earl of Derby had his last drink there, before being [beheaded](http://catalogue.nla.gov.au/Record/2715990) outside, in the marketplace, after the Civil War (beheaded in Bolton because he took part in the massacre, there). ---
**Author:** ![Colophon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f05b48/32.png) [@Colophon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Colophon)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2009, 1:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-oldest-pub-in-england/485587/30 "2009-02-13T13:41:56Z")
> [@Cluricaun](#): > > But again to fight my ignorance, these are all regular spots to have a drink right? They’re all open like any other pub, and people still drink in them on the regular right? Are they nasty and old, or are they quaint and cute? You have to remember that most of the really old ones will have been changed, extended, knocked, down, rebuilt, set on fire, rebuilt again, bought by chain breweries, gutted, redecorated, turned into reataurants or “theme pubs” etc etc at some point. You can’t wander into a pub that looks like it did in the 10th century. E.g. [here](http://mackemsteve.typepad.com/eat_carrots/2007/04/britains_oldest.html) is the Bingley Arms which dates back to 905, and it doesn’t look especially old. Apparently it was rebuilt in 1539 and again in 1780, which makes the building itself practically a new-build! The [Royalist Hotel](http://www.theroyalisthotel.com/) incorporates a pub called the Eagle & Child and parts of the building are genuinely over 1000 years old. It all looks to have been [tarted up](http://www.theroyalisthotel.com/hotel-restaurant.htm) a bit though and it doesn’t really look like a spit ‘n’ sawdust medieval drinking hole to me… (OK, that pic is the restaurant but you get the idea.) ---
**Author:** ![SciFiSam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/47e85d/32.png) [@SciFiSam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SciFiSam)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2009, 1:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-oldest-pub-in-england/485587/31 "2009-02-13T13:54:17Z")
London pubs tend to be [a lot more recent,](http://www.timeout.com/london/bars/features/272.html) in case you were thinking of really doing a tour of old pubs, presuming you’d arrive in London. The Olde Cheshire Cheese and the George are lovely pubs in themselves, though, and well worth a visit - the George has a decent outside area and a good range of drinks. (Haven’t been to the others in that article personally). > [@Giles](#): > > According to [this recent newspaper article](http://business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/business/industry_sectors/leisure/article5435780.ece), anything from £1 to £3 (i.e., $1.40 to $4.20 in US dollars). It’s rare to find a pint for anything like £1. That’d be a pint of bitter in Wetherspoons\* when they have special promotions on, or a pint of a specific ale at a member’s social club, not ordinary drinks. It’s more like £2.50-£3.50. (A pub chain; none of these very old pubs will be Wetherspoons). ---
**Author:** ![Jimmy\_Joe\_Meager](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/bb73d2/32.png) [@Jimmy\_Joe\_Meager](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jimmy_Joe_Meager)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2009, 2:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-oldest-pub-in-england/485587/32 "2009-02-13T14:55:14Z")
Clan Tankard in Scotland has been continuously drunk since 1214. Does that count? ---
**Author:** ![One\_And\_Only\_Wanderers](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/838e76/32.png) [@One\_And\_Only\_Wanderers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/One_And_Only_Wanderers)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2009, 3:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-oldest-pub-in-england/485587/33 "2009-02-13T15:30:33Z")
> [@Sampiro](#): > > It seems to be a matter of dispute between [Ye Olde Fighting Cocks](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ye_Olde_Fighting_Cocks)(St. Alban’s, Herfordeshire- at its current location since 1451) and [The Man & Scythe](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Man_and_Scythe)(Bolton/Manchester, a pub mentioned by name in 1251 and in a building whose cellar dates to before 1200) with some argument on documentation. [Cite.](http://www.fatbadgers.co.uk/Britain/old.htm) I may just have to go for a pint in the Man & Scythe now, just because it will be so easy for me. ---
**Author:** ![Colophon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f05b48/32.png) [@Colophon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Colophon)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2009, 6:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-oldest-pub-in-england/485587/34 "2009-02-13T18:46:52Z")
> [@Jimmy\_Joe\_Meager](#): > > Clan Tankard in Scotland has been continuously drunk since 1214. Does that count? I don’t know Clan, but I think I’ve met his brother, Wee Jimmy Tankard. ---
**Author:** ![Giles](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/giles/32/60_2.png) [@Giles](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Giles)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2009, 6:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-oldest-pub-in-england/485587/35 "2009-02-13T18:57:44Z")
> [@Colophon](#): > > E.g. [here](http://mackemsteve.typepad.com/eat_carrots/2007/04/britains_oldest.html) is the Bingley Arms which dates back to 905, and it doesn’t look especially old. Apparently it was rebuilt in 1539 and again in 1780, which makes the building itself practically a new-build! I almost drove past that place when I was in England 3 years ago. (Well, not quite: the closest I got would have been on the A1 between Boston Spa and Wetherby, about 4 miles away). Next time I’m in West Yorkshire, I’ll have to visit! ---
**Author:** ![Capt.Ridley\_s\_Shooting\_Party](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/cc9497/32.png) [@Capt.Ridley\_s\_Shooting\_Party](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Capt.Ridley_s_Shooting_Party)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2009, 7:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-oldest-pub-in-england/485587/36 "2009-02-13T19:50:44Z")
Why did you visit the third world? Come visit civilization on the other side of the Pennines. 😛 ---
**Author:** ![Giles](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/giles/32/60_2.png) [@Giles](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Giles)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2009, 8:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-oldest-pub-in-england/485587/37 "2009-02-13T20:01:16Z")
> [@Capt.Ridley\_s\_Shooting\_Party](#): > > Why did you visit the third world? Come visit civilization on the other side of the Pennines. 😛 Well, I got close: I visited a cousin who lives in Hebden Bridge, and she and her husband took my wife and me out to a pub on Heptonstall Moor, which is very close to the boundary of civilisation. (But we might have to disagree on whether civilisation is on the east or west side of the boundary, since I grew up in Leeds 😃 ) [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-oldest-pub-in-england/485587.md?page=1)