Pubs have been at the heart of British life for centuries, offering a warm place to have a meal and a drink after a busy day at work.
Data reported by Statista reveals that there were 45,000 pubs across the country in 2024. However, among those thousands, only a few can boast histories stretching back centuries.
In fact, some have seen royal intrigue, rebellions, and other momentous events of British history, all while serving their patrons.
So, continue reading to discover 10 pubs in the UK with a fascinating history you can still visit today.
1. Ye Olde Trip to Jerusalem, Nottingham
If you want to step back in time to medieval England, Ye Olde Trip to Jerusalem in Nottingham is the ideal place to start.
Nestled in the cliffs that support Nottingham Castle, the pub claims to be one of the oldest in England, dating back to 1189.
Built directly into the rock and caves, the pub is said to have hosted crusaders as they prepared to leave for the Holy Land.
Inside, you can find low ceilings and candlelit rooms that give you a sense of how the soldiers might have found comfort here before departing for war.
2. The Last Drop, Edinburgh
Set alongside the picturesque Grassmarket area of Edinburgh, The Last Drop is steeped in dark history.
Indeed, the Grassmarket was once the city’s main site for public executions. This meant that many of the condemned would have their “last drop”, both of ale and from the gallows, in this very spot – hence the name.
Today, you can sit by the window and look out across the same square where crowds once gathered for a grim spectacle, all while enjoying a refreshing pint.
3. The Porch House, The Cotswolds
Found in the idyllic Cotswold town of Stow-on-the-Wold, the quaint Porch House holds a supernatural secret.
Parts of the building are believed to date back to the 10th century, making it one of the oldest inns in England.
Inside, a 16th-century fireplace is laden with carvings known as “witch marks”, protective symbols once thought to ward off evil spirits.
The inn’s combination of rustic charm and deep, sometimes dark, history makes it a captivating place to relax for a drink.
4. The Skirrid Mountain Inn, Abergavenny
As the name might imply, the Skirrid Mountain Inn stands in the shadows of the Black Mountains near Abergavenny.
It’s considered one of the oldest pubs in Wales, and with that comes a dark history.
Indeed, the building served as a courtroom and a place of execution, where local legend claims that more than 200 convicts were hanged from a beam above the stairwell. The marks of the noose are still visible today.
The inn also has a close link with Welsh history, as it was reportedly a rallying point for Owain Glyndŵr during his uprising against English rule.
5. The Talbot Hotel, Northamptonshire
In the market town of Oundle in Northamptonshire, the Talbot Hotel has a close connection with one of the most tragic royals in history.
Its grand staircase, reputed to have been taken from Fotheringhay Castle, is the one that Mary, Queen of Scots, descended on the morning of her execution in 1587.
As you walk through the corridors of the dramatic hotel, it’s easy to sense echoes of the past, and the history here feels almost palpable.
6. Kelly’s Cellars, Belfast
Over the Irish Sea, Kelly’s Cellars in Belfast stands as one of the city’s oldest pubs, as it is believed to date back to 1720.
The pub itself is hidden behind Bank Street and was once a meeting place for the United Irishmen, who plotted the 1798 rebellion against British rule.
Its whitewashed walls and vaulted ceilings have changed little since then, and the atmosphere remains full of stories.
7. The Dove, London
Tucked away along the banks of the Thames in Hammersmith, the Dove is home to a significant moment in British history.
The snug interior holds the record for London’s smallest public bar, and it’s here that the Scottish poet, James Thomson, is said to have written the words to Rule, Britannia! during the 18th century.
It’s easy to see why he garnered inspiration here, as the riverside terrace and narrow doorways are the perfect place to sit and reflect.
8. The Globe Inn, Dumfries
If you’d like a taste of Scotland’s poetic past, you shouldn’t overlook the Globe Inn in Dumfries.
Founded in 1610, it was a favourite haunt of Robert Burns, who spent many evenings here having a dram (or several) and reflecting on his life.
His chair and collection of personal belongings are still preserved in the pub, giving you an incredible connection to the Bard of Ayrshire.
9. The Olde Coach House, Northamptonshire
Found in the village of Ashby St Ledgers, the Olde Coach House is tied to one of the UK’s most infamous conspiracies, including one that you might even have celebrated recently!
According to tradition, it was here that Guy Fawkes and his fellow plotters are believed to have met in 1605 to devise the Gunpowder Plot, their failed attempt to blow up the Houses of Parliament.
Today, the inn’s cosy interior disguises its turbulent past, although you can still sense the unrest that once brewed here.
10. The George & Dragon, North Yorkshire
The George & Dragon, found in Stockton-on-Tees, is a place where Britain’s industrial history began to take shape.
Local lore states that in the early 19th century, promoters of the Stockton and Darlington Railway gathered here to plan what would become the world’s first public railway. Their discussions changed Britain forever.
As you sit by the fire here, you can almost imagine the excitement of those meetings as they found themselves on the brink of incredible change.
