Ye Olde Salutation Inn, Nottingham: Haunted Historic Gem

Ye Olde Salutation Inn in Nottingham is a historic Grade 2 listed pub, with parts dating from around 1240.

It claims (along with Ye Olde Trip to Jerusalem) to be the oldest pub in Nottingham.

The inn also has a claim to being the most haunted pub in the country, one landlord having asserted the presence of 89 resident apparitions.

And according to Historic England, it’s said that it’s haunted by three ghosts, one being a highwayman.

Aside from these claims, it is best known locally for its rock music and has been described by local historian Dave Mooney as "an old fashioned rock and bike pub."

The entrance is into a narrow flagged passage with the oldest room on the right - the ‘King Charles Snug’ has a ‘1’ over the doorway, ancient beams, a 1930s brick fireplace but the (disused) brick and timber bar looks more 60s.

Left of the passage, the pub was extended into an adjoining brick building, probably early 19c, and here is the small bare boarded ‘Cromwell Snug’ with a ‘2’ on the door, dado fielded panelling with benches attached most of the way around which looks like 1930s work.

The passage widens out on the left into an internal lobby area with sloping flagged floor and bench seating.

One door here leads down into one of the most extensive of the many sandstone cellars or caves in central Nottingham.

At the far end is the third main building, a Tudor-style hall from the 1930s, fronting Maid Marian Way.

The interior is much altered here, suffering from several post-war refurbishments, the last probably in the 1970s, but the interesting timber-beamed roof structure can be examined from the first-floor gallery, which is probably a modern insertion.

If you call at quiet times and ask you may be able to take a trip down two floor levels into the cellars.

The cave cellars measure an impressive 19m x 24m and include a ventilation shaft.

Although much of the city's historic centre is built on man-made caves, those beneath The Salutation are unusually large.

They consist of two levels of rock-cut cellars with stone-slab shelves used to keep food cool in the days before domestic refrigeration and a well shaft sunk 24 metres into the rock.

Constructed in four stages, they pre-date the construction of the inn.

An investigation by the Thornton Excavation Society in 1937 dated the caves to the 9th century and concluded that they were part of a Saxon farm.

The caves are opened to visitors at the discretion of the landlord.

A 13th-century alehouse, known as "The Archangel Gabriel Salutes the Virgin Mary," is believed to have been constructed on this site in 1240.

During King Edward III’s residence at the nearby Nottingham Castle in 1336 many of his retinue were accommodated in the building, then known as Ye House by ye Sign of Salutation.

The core of the current building, dated to around 1360 by dendrochronology carried out by the University of Nottingham in 1992, was a workshop for the city's tanner with living accommodation above.

The building has been described by local historian John Holland Walker as "a typical mediaeval dwelling-house and shop of the better sort."

Borough records indicate the presence on the site of a hostel for travellers and journeymen in 1414 and a private dwelling belonging to a John Alastre in 1440.

During this time the caves provided a hiding place for Jews escaping persecution, a home for a colony of lepers, and servants' accommodation and brewing space for the alehouse and hostel.

Today, the pub has excellent reviews.

One recent visitor said: “Great pub with a superb atmosphere. The home cooked food is so reasonably priced and delicious.

”Home made vegan burger was the best I have ever had in a pub. Nice selection of drinks too. If you're ever in Nottingham, make sure this is on your list!”

The pub is open most days from 10am, if you’d like to visit, the address is: Hounds Gate, Nottingham NG1 7AA.

Ye Olde Trip To Jerusalem, also in Nottingham, claims to be England's Oldest Inn.

This ancient pub is also grade II listed and it was built into the rocks underneath Nottingham castle.

It was originally the castle’s brewhouse, which dates from the medieval period.

The picturesque and ancient pub is said to have been established in 1189 AD.

Yes, you read that right – this pub has been in business for more than 800 years, though there is no documentation to verify this date.

Its rich history is punctuated with legends and tales that have become part of Nottingham's folklore.

It is said that King Richard the Lionheart and his men are more than likely to have gathered at this historic royal dwelling before journeying to Jerusalem in 1189AD, thus giving the pub its unusual name.

Hence, the name "trip" in the pub's title is thought to refer to this historic pilgrimage.

What truly sets Ye Olde Trip To Jerusalem apart is the fact that it's built into the very rock beneath Nottingham Castle.

The pub features several bars, cosy nooks and snug lounges filled with curiosities and relics of Nottingham's history.

Its cosy nooks and dimly lit rooms extend into a network of caves and cellars that date back to medieval times.

Beneath the pub, cave cellars root deep into the sandstone cliff and, like many of Nottingham's 800+ caves, have for centuries been used for storage of ale. 

Also located in the cellars is an old cockfighting pit, and part of the Castle Gaol was also said to be housed in the cellars at one time too.

This included the condemned cell, a small cell with a very low ceiling with small holes drilled to allow a little air to flow through.

The Gaoler would have sat just outside the cells on the ‘Gaoler’s Chair’ which was etched out of the rock and can still be seen today.

The pub's ancient history has given rise to numerous ghostly tales too.

It's believed to be haunted by the spirits of crusaders, as well as the unfortunate victims of centuries-old conflicts.

While you enjoy your drink, you might just catch a glimpse of a ghostly figure or hear the faint echo of medieval laughter!

Ye Olde Trip To Jerusalem offers an ambiance that's truly one-of-a-kind - with its low ceilings, timber beams, and traditional decor, stepping inside is like stepping back in time.

Whether you're seated in the main bar area or tucked away in one of the cave rooms, you'll feel the weight of history all around you.

In one of the pub’s upstairs buildings is a small model of a wooden ship, known as the cursed galleon.

It is said that a number of people who cleaned the ship all met an untimely and unexplained death, so landlords have since refused to let anyone clean it.

Instead, they have put the ship into a glass cabinet.

Elsewhere, the pub houses the ‘pregnancy chair’, an old chair which was said to increase a woman’s chances of becoming pregnant when she sat in it!

The pub is renowned for its selection of local ales and traditional British pub fare, be sure to try some of Nottingham's finest brews as you soak in the atmosphere.

A visit to Ye Olde Trip To Jerusalem isn't complete without venturing into the Rock Lounge - which is one of Nottingham’s old caves that date from the 12th century.

This cosy cave room is built directly into the sandstone rock, providing a unique and intimate setting for a drink or meal.

On sunny days, the pub's courtyard is a delightful place to relax, it offers a view of Nottingham Castle and provides a charming outdoor space to enjoy your refreshments.

Although it has never been proved that Robin Hood visited the Ye Olde Trip to Jerusalem, there are many people who believe he used to drink here too.

This is due to the fact that it was built around the time that he was alive and it was a place where people that were hiding from the law would go.

Not to mention, there were many passages and access ways from here that went directly into Nottingham Castle.

Robin Hood is one of the world’s best loved folk heroes and Nottinghamshire is home of the spirited outlaw.

Both pubs are ‘must visits’ for your next trip to Nottingham!

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