The oldest tavern in England?

There's a question mark at the end of the title because no-one's sure which ancient tavern is actually the oldest, but the George at Norton St Philip is a strong contender. It was built in the 14th or 15th century – well, what's a hundred years? When it was renovated in the 1990s testing of the roof timbers showed they were from the 1430s, so it's at least that old. And it is jolly pretty!


Its history isn't entirely pretty. In 1685 the people of the West Country revolted in support of the Duke of Monmouth against James II, and the George served as the rebels' headquarters for a brief period. When the rebellion was quelled, it also served as a courthouse where the infamous Judge Jefferies oversaw the trials of some of the rebels. A dozen people were executed on the village common.
Anyway, nowadays you can go there for a pint or a meal or even to stay the night without fear of running into rebels, royalists or hanging judges. We went yesterday for lunch with a friend to celebrate his 40th birthday. It was just us, his wife and toddler and him. Like an idiot I didn't get any photos of the bar at the front of the pub, which feels properly ancient. In most British pubs there's usually some sort of structure above the bar – generally used for holding spare pint glasses or what have you. The George doesn't have that, possibly because the ceiling in that room is so high, and it gives the place a more open, but much older, feel. In case you're wondering about the beer, the pub is owned by Wadworth, a brewery in Devizes. It's nice to know the place is still in local hands, selling a relatively local brew.
We ate in the dining room at the back of the building. I'm not sure what the rooms were originally, but as the tavern served as a wool store as well as somewhere for merchants and traders to spend the night, perhaps it was where the wool was kept. It's very cosy, and you can see lots of original features, though there are some kitsch touches around the place such as photos of medieval paintings, and lots of tapestry upholstery. (They even had 'Greensleeves' playing over the music system at one point, just in case people forgot the building they were in was very, very old.) I guess I'm spoiled by driving past the place every day, whereas plenty of tourists will love the olde England aspect.
The food was good and filling, and the company was great. We'll probably go back at some point during the summer when the beer garden out the back is at its best. The land drops away behind the pub, giving a clear view across the cricket pitch below to the church, which is of similar vintage to the pub. It's utterly idyllic in the sunshine.

I hope you had a great weekend. Are there any ancient taverns near you?

Comments

  1. I got quite a flashback when I saw your post pop up, as I've actually been there when we were holidaying in Somerset many years ago. We haven't been inside the pub, as it wasn't open at the time of our visit, but I remember taking some photographs around the village. The thought of Greensleeves playing over the music system does fills me with horror, though. I love old pubs and taverns, but the inside often lets them down, I think. xxx

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    1. Oh cool!

      This is heavily listed so a lot of the interior can't be touched, which is nice. The main bar really does feel properly ancient, like a hall or barn rather than a room, if that makes sense.

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  2. We have a sports bar in the neighbourhood that dates to the 1980s ;)

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    1. Hehehe. But you do see some splendid art deco on your travels - we have little of that.

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  3. Most atmospheric looking! Near Abergavenny, where I grew up, we have *possibly* the oldest pub in Wales, The Skirrid Inn. Not been there since I was a teenager, probably didn't appreciate its age in the slightest!!

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    1. Yeah, teenagers are only interested in that sweet, sweet booze!

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  4. Looks like a lovely pub! I always thought one of the oldest pubs in the UK was in Nottingham; can't remember the name but it has 'Jerusalem' in the title. I lived in Nottingham briefly in the late 1970s but never got to see it or go there as I was on night duty for my entire time there!

    Have a good week.
    xx

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    1. Ye Olde Trip to Jerusalem! I've been there, we went when we were in Nottingham to see Iron Maiden in 2017. That one's fascinating because it's carved back into the rock the city's built on. It's a lovely place.

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  5. What a lovely pub, you couldn't get anything more picture postcard perfect. I like the sound of your friend's 40th birthday celebrations, too - I don't do parties either!
    There's a few contenders for oldest pub around Walsall, there's the Manor Arms, the only pub without a bar, built in 1105 and holding a licence to sell ale since 1248 or the White Hart (now converted into flats) where Elizabeth I once stayed and where a child's mummified arm was discovered bricked up in a wall (now in the local history museum) - only in Walsall!! xxx

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    1. Ooof, such a shame when a place that historic gets converted into flats. I had no idea Elizabeth had made it that far north - though I suppose Henry got as far as York, and Elizabeth did make it out to the West Country, and the Midlands wouldn't be any further for her.

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  6. Beautiful building & what a fab birthday get together.
    I guess there might be a few hippy bars from the 70's left in the tourist district here?

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    1. I bet those bars could tell a story or two tho...

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