oldest pub

[ieatbees]

can anyone tell me where the oldest pub in th uk is? and how old is it?

thanks

[mightyWBA]

There are about 40 pubs in Britain that claim this title.

Ye Olde Fighting ***** in ST. Albans is officially recognised as the oldest dating back to 795 A.D.

An original Cliff Richard hit from that year is still on the Jukebox apparently!

[mightyWBA]

Can't believe the word ***** isn't allowed better use the Dutch "Kok" instead.

[Aura]

Hi try these links, I hope they are OK?

Ye Olde Trip to Jerusalem - one of the best preserved and fascinating pub sites in England. It is full of history, legend and atmosphere. It dates back to 1189 AD claimes to be the oldest pub in England

http://www.fatbadgers.co.uk/Britain/old.htm

[Quizmonster]

The word �pub' dates back only to the mid-19th century. It first appeared in print in Hotten's �Dictionary of Slang' published in 1859. Prior to that, of course, it was called a �public house', of which �pub' is obviously just an abbreviation.
The earliest �public houses', however, were created for the treatment of sick poor people. For the word(s) to mean a drinking establishment or hostelry in the sense that we would recognise them today one had to wait until the late 17th century. In those senses, therefore, there are no truly ancient �pubs/public houses'. Certainly Shakespeare never set foot in one, though Rabbie Burns may well have done!
An inn, on the other hand - meaning a hostelry where lodgings as well as food and drink were provided - is a far older establishment. There are various claims that places such as the Boat Inn at Holywell in Cambridgeshire were up and running as long ago as the 6th century, though there is little real evidence that any such hostelries existed before the 10th century. The Bingley Arms at Bardsey near Leeds was apparently called the Priest's Inn in 905 AD and the Royalist Hotel in Stow-on-the-Wold in Gloucestershire had opened its doors by 947 AD

[DMA]

the Old George in Newcastle is the oldest in newcastle. Apparently it was built by Emporer Hadrian

[ieatbees]

Thanks everyone this is very useful.