The Brits are royalty when it comes to drinking, with gin palaces, ancient alehouses, and legendary taverns scattered across this beer-loving country. These watering holes — apart from serving the obvious purpose — are steeped in history, gossip, and a few (many) ghosts.
Let’s take a quick tour of the oldest pubs in the UK, each notorious for claiming to be the wisest and spookiest of them all. At the end of the day, a year is just a number — what we really want is a crisp pint come rain or shine.
Exterior of Ye Olde Fighting Cocks pub in Hertfordshire, England. Image Credit: Ye Olde Fighting Cocks
Ye Olde Fighting Cocks, Hertfordshire, England
Closest train stations: St Albans City and St Albans Abbey
Unlike other pubs on this list, Ye Olde Fighting Cocks once boasted a Guinness World Record as the oldest pub in the UK, claiming roots as a pigeon house in the Palace of Offa, King of the Mercians from 793 AD. While it’s best not to expect any cockfighting action today, the pub’s abundant history and beer is plenty entertainment.
Ye Olde Trip to Jerusalem, Nottingham, England
Closest train station: Nottingham
Audaciously splashed over the pub’s walls are the words “the oldest inn in England”. Well, the London Eye also claims to be able to see the Eiffel Tower on a clear day, but that doesn’t possibly make it true (we don’t have clear days in London).
Ye Olde Trip to Jerusalem does have some old-world charm to its credit, however. While their website states it was established in 1189 AD, the first documented record of the pub can only be found in 1751 — which is still pretty ancient. Built into the caves of Nottingham Castle, you can drink in the pub’s rocky interiors, resident ghosts, and quirky antiques (think a cursed ship and a fertility chair) — all with a pint in hand, of course!
Bar at The Sheep Heid Inn in Edinburgh. Image Credit: The Sheep Heid Inn
The Sheep Heid Inn, Edinburgh, Scotland
Closest train station: Edinburgh Waverley
Scotland’s (supposedly) oldest pub is conveniently located in the bustling capital of Edinburgh, with the history of the inn going as far back as 1360. A firm favourite with the royals, the pub was frequented by Mary Queen of Scots, treasured by James I who apparently gifted the landlord a snuff box, and was even visited by Queen Elizabeth II. The best part about The Sheep Heid Inn however is its very own skittle alley, with traditional wooden beams!
The Skirrid Mountain Inn, Llanfihangel Crucorney, Wales
Closest train station: Abergavenny
Dating back to 1110 AD, The Skirrid Mountain Inn is one of Wales' oldest (and most haunted) pubs. Named after the neighbouring Skirrid mountain, it has a sinister history as a courthouse and jail, so much so that the oak beam above the bar is said to have been used for hangings. With their website claiming that “visitors have reported hearing hushed voices, slammed doors and creepy footsteps”, The Skirrid Mountain Inn has lots (of paranormal activity) to offer for the horror buffs!
The Grapes, London, England
Closest train stations: Bank and Monument (tube), Fenchurch Street and Cannon Street
The Grapes, dating back to 1583, is less known for its history, and more popular for the famous people it has served. To start with, Gandalf owns it! English actor Sir Ian McKellen, who was a close friend of the landlady and a regular, acquired it in 2012.
To add further theatrical value to the pub, Charles Dickens, who references the pub in his book Our Mutual Friend, is believed to have danced on the tables back in the day. Add to this some visits by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle and Sir Walter Raleigh, and you have a pub that promises creative stimulation and great beer!
Seating area at The Royal Standard of England in Beaconsfield. Image Credit: The Royal Standard of England
Other noteworthy mentions
The Royal Standard of England in Beaconsfield deserves a mention purely for bagging the cheeky website domain: theoldestpub.com.
The Olde Man & Scythe in Bolton is another must-visit for horror enthusiasts, best known for its YouTube videos of ghost sightings and a concerningly believable lore of a stolen ghost.
For the romantic (not without a little bit of spook), grab a pint at The Old Ferry Boat Inn in Cambridgeshire for the chance to meet the resident ghost Juliet and revel in a very tragic love story.
While exact dates are often unreliable due to scant documentation and imaginative claims, these pubs offer timeless charm, ghost stories, and plenty of pints. Download the trainline app to and start planning your exploration of the oldest pubs in the UK by train.
Two beers clinking together. Header Image Credit: Wasan Tita
