Top 10 Oldest and Historic Pubs in the UK

Step back in time at the UK’s most storied public houses. From medieval inns to coaching-house taverns, these historic pubs UK blend centuries of history with cosy, old-world charm. Each has its own legend – some even claim to be among the oldest pubs in the UK – and all offer a unique atmosphere steeped in tradition. Many are Grade‑listed and still retain original features like wood-beamed ceilings, flagstone floors or warren‑like cellars. Join us as we explore ten legendary watering holes across England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland, where history and hospitality come together for an unforgettable pint and a hearty meal.

1. Ye Olde Trip to Jerusalem – Nottingham, England

Perched against the rocky cliff under Nottingham Castle, Ye Olde Trip to Jerusalem claims to be England’s oldest inn (founded 1189). The pub is partially built into the rock face and caves that once served as a medieval brewhouse. Despite the legendary date, the current 17th-century building (Grade II listed) dates from around 1650. Inside, low beams and stone walls create a timeless atmosphere – you almost expect crusading knights to appear. Today it’s a classic pub with oak tables and flagstones, where visitors can still enjoy traditional ales and feel they’re sipping amid 800 years of history.

2. Ye Olde Fighting Cocks – St Albans, England

Not far from St Albans Cathedral stands Ye Olde Fighting Cocks, a Tudor-style pub that claims to have served ale since 793 AD – a bold date tied to its pigeon-house origins. While that early licence is unproven (Historic England dates the current structure to the 1500s), the pub’s rambling black‑and‑white timbers and crooked chimney definitely feel antique. Inside are several snug rooms and nooks, complete with inglenook fireplaces, evoking centuries of patrons gathered here. The Fighting Cocks is Grade II listed and is known for its cozy atmosphere – a fitting image of an “old England” pub where you can still enjoy a proper pint amidst history.

3. The Bingley Arms – Bardsey, West Yorkshire, England

Claims of ancient origins are made by The Bingley Arms in Bardsey (Leeds). This country pub promotes itself as “the oldest pub in Britain,” dating back to AD 905–953. In reality, historians caution that the solid stone structure is mainly 18th-century; still, locals prize the tale of early medieval roots. Set in a pretty village, The Bingley Arms has thick stone walls, low ceilings and a warm hearth, with a beer garden under a thousand‑year‑old yew tree. The menu focuses on good pub grub (and Yorkshire hospitality), but it’s the pub’s legendary age – and an AA nod to its “charm” – that makes it a must-visit for those fascinated by oldest pubs in the UK.

4. The George Inn – Norton St Philip, Somerset, England

Nestled in the Somerset village of Norton St Philip, The George Inn is a timber-framed coaching inn from the 14th–15th century. A rare survivor (Grade I listed), it was originally built as a wool store for nearby Priory monks and later served stagecoach travellers to Bath and London. The George Inn’s low-ceilinged bar and shaded courtyard feel precisely historic – one reviewer calls it one of Britain’s oldest taverns. It famously hosted Monmouth’s forces (1685) and later Judge Jeffreys’ bloody trials. Today it’s still a classic pub/inn: guests enjoy hearty roasts and real ales by candlelight, with original oak beams and leaded windows all reminding you of its 600+ year heritage.

5. The Old Crown – Birmingham, England

One of Birmingham’s oldest pubs, The Old Crown stands in Deritend with a striking black-and-white timber facade. Parts of the building date back to the 15th century (c. 1450), and the site itself claims ties to a 14th-century Guildhall. The present building is largely early-1500s, but legend says it all began in 1368. Inside are several separate low-ceilinged rooms and one of the UK’s few surviving Tudor banquet halls. Its ornate oak bar and galleried upper floor still impress locals and tourists alike. The Old Crown’s claim as one of Birmingham’s oldest secular buildings is backed by its Grade II* listing, making it a living link to medieval England – and a fine place for a pint and local history lesson.

6. The Skirrid Mountain Inn – Llanvihangel Crucorney, Wales

Known as the Skirrid Mountain Inn, this pub stands near Abergavenny in Monmouthshire and is one of Wales’s most famous historic inns. Legend says an inn stood here on a pilgrim’s trail from medieval times (possibly 12th century), though the existing stone building is mostly 17th-century. It claims that thousands were hanged from an oak beam in its courtyard (an unverified tale), giving it a ghostly reputation. Inside, the Skirrid has low, flagstone floors and scrubbed wooden tables, plus an atmospheric stone-walled bar. It’s a picturesque spot to enjoy Welsh ales and ciders, with views of the Skirrid peak. Whether or not it’s the absolute oldest, it’s certainly an atmospheric medieval inn – and Wales’s Guardian listed it among the nation’s oldest pubs.

7. Sheep Heid Inn – Edinburgh, Scotland

Claiming a date of 1360, the Sheep Heid Inn in the village of Duddingston (Edinburgh) is reputedly Scotland’s oldest licensed pub. The handsome stone building became famous when King James VI gifted it a silver ram’s-head snuffbox in 1580 (the pub’s namesake). Today the cozy bar looks much as it did centuries ago, complete with original flagstones and back-yard skittle alley. The interior feels like an old castle hall – dark wood, low beams, and tartan-clad diners. Famous Scots – Mary Queen of Scots and Robert Burns among them – have drunk here. While most of the structure is 18th-century (the 1360 date is legendary), there’s no doubt the Sheep Heid evokes a very ancient Scottish pub ambience.

8. Grace Neill’s – Donaghadee, Northern Ireland

In County Down, Grace Neill’s sits in a 17th-century building (opened 1611) and touts itself as “one of Ireland’s oldest pubs”. The pub name honours Grace Neill, who inherited it in 1880. Inside, the stone-flagged floor and massive oak beams (made from old ship timbers) feel very old-world, and the walls are lined with photos and antiques. Legends say Peter the Great of Russia and Daniel Defoe once visited. Grace Neill’s holds the oldest pub deeds in Ireland, and though nearby Sean’s Bar (Athlone) contests any “oldest” title, there’s no denying this place’s pedigree. The pub atmosphere is traditional – locals natter over Guinness at the long bar, and visitors soak up the history (and occasional ghost tales) in this homey, centuries-old tavern.

9. Old Ferry Boat Inn – Holywell, Cambridgeshire, England

Just north of St Ives sits the Old Ferry Boat Inn, a riverside pub whose roots some claim go back over a millennium. Dendrochronology shows timbers from the 14th–15th centuries remain in the building, and local lore declares it “the oldest inn in England”. The snug interior has leaded windows and oak beams, and part of the floor is famously the grave slab of “Juliet Tewsley,” a ghostly figure said to haunt the place. From its beer garden you can still see the River Great Ouse where ferrymen once worked. Food and drink are modern comfort food, but patrons love the sense of antiquity. Whether fact or folklore, the Ferry Boat’s claim – and its quiet, ancient ambience – make it a fascinating stop on any historic pub tour.

10. Royal Standard of England – Beaconsfield, England

Slightly younger but steeped in royal lore is the Royal Standard of England in Beaconsfield, Buckinghamshire. Its first recorded mention is 1213 (as “The Ship”), though an alehouse may have stood on the site since Saxon times. It acquired its regal name after Charles II allegedly thanked it for hiding his father, Charles I, by granting a licence to fly the royal standard. Today this large, timber‑fronted pub boasts multiple bars, a garden and even a stage for live music. Classics like fish & chips and London Pride ale are on offer, but the star attraction is the history: this is often cited as England’s oldest freehouse. Its low rooms and creaking floors feel medieval, as if the pub itself has seen centuries of King Charles’s family and many highwaymen walk through its doors.

Each of these pubs is more than just a place to drink – they are timeless taverns where history lingers in every stone and story. From Norman-era cellars to Tudor oak beams, they are living museums of the British pub tradition. Visitors clink glasses over centuries-old claims and tall tales, enjoying that unique feeling of raising a pint where countless others have done so before. Whether you seek ancient architecture, folklore (or a great roast dinner), the UK’s historic pubs deliver on all fronts – proving that, in Britain, the past is always just a pint away.