Ye Olde Trip To Jerusalem: England's Oldest Inn
Ye Olde Trip to Jerusalem claims to be England's oldest surviving inn - built in 1189.
This ancient pub, in Nottingham, is 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.
Nottingham Castle, built in 1068, offer cave tours where you can explore the foundations of the medieval castle from dire dungeons to wine cellars.
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.
If you’re visiting Nottingham, it’s worth seeing the 7ft hall Robin Hood statue (pictured below), cast in eight pieces of half-inch thick bronze.
The pub has excellent reviews on TripAdvisor, in fact, there’s around 2,000 five star reviews.
One recent customer said: “Lovely atmosphere, open fire, little nooks and crannies to sit in. Traditional pub games to play and no music playing, so you can have a proper conversation.”
Another customer, who visited earlier this year, said: “This pub is a tourist attraction in itself in Nottingham. The selection of beers is very good and local.
”The setting is fabulous with lots of interesting places to sit. A part of the pub is built into the cave and this makes for a fascinating drinking experience.”
The pub is open everyday from 11am, and it is dog friendly too!
If you’d like to visit, the address is: Brewhouse Yard, 1, Nottingham NG1 6AD.
The pub is almost directly next to Nottingham Castle and is minutes away from Nottingham city centre.
It is half a mile away from the city’s main rail station (approximately a ten-minute walk), and there are several city centre car parks minutes away from the pub.
If you’re visiting the pub, it’s worth checking out Nottingham Castle too (pictured below).
The first castle was built in 1067 shortly after the invasion of William the Conqueror.
It was originally a wooden structure, but just three years later, it was rebuilt in stone.
It remained under the ownership of the monarchy, from the House of Normandy through to the House of Plantagenet when Henry II took the throne from King Stephen.
Henry was quickly followed by Richard I, Richard the Lionheart, and we enter the time of the Robin Hood legend.
It’s full of history and well worth a visit - you can buy admission tickets via the Nottingham Castle website from just £12.
Inside the Ducal Palace there are a range of galleries & exhibitions to inspire all ages about the History of Nottingham.
This includes: The Nottingham Lace Gallery, the Craft Gallery, Museum & Art collections in the Long Gallery, the Museum of the Mercian Regiment, the Rebellion Gallery and the Robin Hood Adventures.
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