List of Traditional British Pubs

No institution is more English than a pub (short for public house). The pub culture is an important part of British social life and a place to go to socialize, relax, and have a drink. A British pub traditionally has carpets, a fireplace, a jukebox, a decent selection of real ales on draft, and a bell, however with time, the traditional pubs have adapted to modernity too.

Let’s start.

List of Traditional British Pubs

Given below is a list of traditional British pubs that have been recommended by travelers over the years. The list may vary from site to site, as it is mainly about people’s personal choices, however, the popular preferences by people have been listed below:

Sl. No.	Name of the Traditional British Pub	Location
1.	The Old Ferry Boat Inn	Cambridgeshire
2.	The Highway Inn	Burford
3.	Ye Olde Man & Scythe	Bolton
4.	Ye Olde Trip to Jerusalem	Nottingham
5.	Adam and Eve	Norwich
6.	Ye Olde Fighting Cocks	St Albans
7.	Spaniards Inn	Hampstead
8.	Ye Olde Cheshire Cheese	London
9.	Red Lion	Lacock
10.	George Inn	Norton St Philip
11.	The Parrot	Canterbury
12.	Ye Olde Salutation Inn	Nottingham
13.	The Royal Standard of England	Beaconsfield
14.	The Bell Inn	Nottingham

1. The Old Ferry Boat Inn

Historical significance	Holds the title of one of the oldest pubs in England.
Established In	560 AD
Location	Holywell, Huntingdonshire, Cambridgeshire.

The Old Ferry Boat Inn is one of the oldest pub in England as there are historical records of drinks being served at this pub as early as 560 AD. Their signature pie is one of the most popular dishes served. The pub has a haunted legend that a ghost named Juliet Tewsley, who died of unrequited love, resides there and is rumoured to rise every year on her death anniversary. A stone slab is present inside the pub dedicated to Tewsley and everyone avoids walking over the grave, as it is believed to cause frightening consequences.

2. The Highway Inn

Historical significance	Serving as a pub for the last 500 years.
Established In	1480
Location	Burford

The Highway Inn is a traditional English pub that has been operational since the last 5 centuries. The stone walls and wooden beams it houses, dates back to the 15th century; It also boasts a medieval courtyard garden, underground cellar, and a 15th century fireplace. Some of the popular dishes offered by the pub are rabbit terrine, fennel chutney, and venison pie and the beer is sourced from nearby breweries of the town. The pub is a perfect getaway from hustle bustle of life to experience the feel of medieval England.

3. Ye Olde Man & Scythe

Historical significance	In 1651 the Earl of Derby was executed outside the Man & Scythe, for his part in the Bolton Massacre.
Established In	Charters mention the pub from 1251; Rebuilt in 1636
Location	Churchgate, Bolton

It is not really known when Ye Olde Man & Scythe was first built, however a charter from 1251 mentions its original name, “the Man and Scythe Inn”. It was rebuilt sometime around in 1636, as per the datestone located in the pub. The pub has a spooky legend that the ghost of the 7th Earl of Derby who was executed outside the pub, still visits the place. Strong cider, and freshly-baked pasties are the popular dishes of the pub.

4. Ye Olde Trip to Jerusalem

Historical significance	The pub was once a well-known pit stop for crusading knights, during the reign of Richard the Lionheart.
Established In	1189
Location	Nottingham

Ye Olde Trip to Jerusalem, (“the Trip”) claims to have been established in 1189. It is believed that the pub was inaugurated when King Richard the Lionheart and his knights rested here, on their way to Jerusalem. The pub was used as a place for resting by the knights travelling to fight Saracens during the Crusades. The Trip is built against Castle Rock and attached to several sandstone caves, that are used as brewhouse for Nottingham Castle. Legend also says that Nottingham’s beloved outlaw Robin Hood would also stop here for a good ale when he needed to lay low from authorities.

5. Adam and Eve

Historical significance	Notorious murderer James Rush is said to have been a regular customer at the inn
Established In	1249
Location	Norwich

The earliest mention of this pub was in 1241 or 1249 as a brewhouse, owned by Benedictine monks, which was used by workmen building the nearby cathedral. It was the last pub in Norwich to serve ale from the barrel, until a bar was installed in 1971. The pub is known for its baguette, pickle, and locally-sourced cheeses and meats. Legend has it that the ghost of Lord Sheffield, who died during Kett’s Rebellion in 1549, is rumored to tap people on their shoulder and rings a bell in the pub.

6. Ye Olde Fighting Cocks

Historical significance	Cock fighting matches during the 19th and 20th centuries were hosted here.
Established In	793 AD
Location	St Albans, Hertfordshire

Ye Olde Fighting Cocks claims to have been operational since 793 AD. Despite getting its title as the “oldest pub in England” revoked it is among the oldest pubs in England. As the name indicates, the pub was used to host cock fighting matches during the 19th and 20th centuries. The Sunday roast and chicken wings served at the pub are popular among people. The building of the pub gives off a 16th century appearance.

7. Spaniards Inn

Historical significance	Poets John Keats and Lord Byron are believed to have been regulars here.
Established In	1585
Location	Hampstead

Spaniards Inn is said to have been built in 1585, and has been famously mentioned in Charles Dickens’ novel The Pickwick Papers and and Bram Stoker’s Dracula. John Keats is said to have composed Ode to a Nightingale in the pleasant garden at the back. It is also believed that this pub gave free drinks to rioters during the 1780 Gordon Riots. The pub is also highly ranked for its cuisine.

8. Ye Olde Cheshire Cheese

Historical significance	Famous literary figures like Mark Twain, Oliver Goldsmith, Alfred Tennyson, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, P. G. Wodehouse and Dr. Samuel Johnson are associated with this pub.
Established In	1538; Rebuilt 1666
Location	City of London

Ye Olde Cheshire Cheese, rebuilt in 1666 after the Great Fire of London, is famous for its lack of natural lighting inside creating a sort of gloomy charm, making the pub, unique. Charles Dickens was known frequent this pub and it was colluded to in his ‘ A Tale of Two Cities’. The pub has been referenced by many famous literary figures, like Agatha Christie in their works. The pub is a significant port of literary history.

9. Red Lion

Historical significance	It has a history going back to 200 years.
Established In	1739
Location	Lacock

Steeped in 200 years of history, the Red Lion boasts of Georgian interiors full of charming character including a large open fireplace, candlelit tables and flagstone floors. It recently appeared as a shop in the BBC series, The Cranford Chronicles. It is also famous for its delicious home cooked cuisine.

10. George Inn

Historical significance	Historic 14th-century Grade I listed Tudor inn.
Established In	1397
Location	Norton St Philip

The George Inn at Norton St Philip has been operating for over 700 years and is one of Britain’s oldest taverns. The Inn has a great significance in Britain’s history in the sense that during the Pitchfork Rebellion (1685), the Duke of Monmouth, who led a ragtag army of locals armed with muskets, scythes and pitchforks against his uncle, is said to have been shot at the George Inn. The pub is popular for its Butcombe beer.

11. The Parrot

Historical significance	Oldest pub in Canterbury.
Established In	1370
Location	Canterbury

Built on Roman Foundations in 14th century, The Parrot boasts well-cooked, flavorsome food and quality local cask ales. The Parrot was built at the same time as the famous Canterbury Cathedral towers a few hundred yards away, based on the similarities of their construction. Medieval beams, oak floorboards and fantastic food make this pub worth visiting.

12. Ye Olde Salutation Inn

Historical significance	Most haunted pub in the country.
Established In	1240
Location	Nottingham

Ye Olde Salutation Inn (“Sal”) was built in 1240; It was formerly an alehouse known as The Archangel Gabriel Salutes the Virgin Mary. The Sal was a hangout spot for notorious highwaymen, including Dick Turpin and John Nevison in the late 17th century. There is a series of man-made caves below the inn that were part of a Saxon farm. Numerous landlords have claimed to have had ghostly encounters in this inn, where the Original Nottingham Ghost Walk makes its final stop.

13. The Royal Standard of England

Historical significance	The pub is supposed to have been renamed by King Charles II to express his gratitude after hiding from danger in its roof space.
Established In	1213
Location	Beaconsfield

The Royal Standard of England’s origins goes back to the Saxon times. The pub witnessed and withstood the raids of the Dark Ages and was named “Se Scip” (The Ship). Legend says that the pub was renamed by King Charles II as a token of thanks for giving him shelter and hiding him from danger. The pub remains popular among locals and tourists to this day; Many films and TV shows have been filmed here, including The Theory of Everything and After Life.

14. The Bell Inn

Historical significance	Tory politician John Walters established his campaign headquarters in this pub during the 1841 British general election.
Established In	1437
Location	Nottingham

The Bell Inn claims to have been built around 1437. This pub has gone through many historical events such as getting its windows were smashed by rioters in 1831, becoming a headquarter for Tory politician John Walters for his campaign during the 1841 British general election etc. Presently the pub airs live sports and offers local beer.

Conclusion

The pub culture is an intrinsic part of the British social life. As we have seen, alehouses have been existing in the UK since the medieval era; Pubs were places for people to get together, drink and mingle. With times many modern pubs have popped up across the suburbs of Britain, however the older traditional pubs that still remain after standing the test of time, hold a special place for people. As one enters these traditional pubs, one is transported across time to the past, away from the bustle of modern life. These traditional British pubs have now become popular tourist attractions and help add to the economy of Britain.

FAQs on Traditional British Pubs

What is the difference between a bar and a pub?

Pubs generally have a large selection of just different kinds of beer, some wines, and cider, along with many food options, whereas bars specialize in liquor rather than food and offer a wide selection of cocktails, along with alcohol.

What are pubs in British culture?

Pubs play an important role in British culture as a socializing tool where people meet their friends and simply unwind.

What city in England has the most pubs?

According to data collected by Liberty Games, Portsmouth is actually the UK city with the most pubs per square mile.

What is the most common British pub name?

The Red Lion is the most common British pub name, with the FSA data showing over 500 venues adopting the moniker.

What are some of the oldest pubs in England?

The Old Ferry Boat Inn, The Highway Inn, Ye Olde Trip to Jerusalem, Ye Olde Fighting Cocks are some of the oldest pubs in England.