Pint Passport

Updated 25 October 2026 · 100 pubs · 9 countries

The 100 oldest pubs in the world

The 100 oldest pubs in the world, ranked by the date each one claims, with the earliest date a document supports beside it: 31 of the 100 have a dated record of any kind, a median of 400 years after the year on the sign.

World map showing where the 100 pubs on this list stand

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  1. Number 1.
    Long white thatched inn on the far bank of the Great Ouse, reflected in still water
    The Old Ferry Boat InnHolywell, EnglandAD 5601841
    Claims AD 560; first recorded 1841.
    Grade C
  2. Number 2.
    Low white-walled pub with a steep tiled roof, tall chimneys and picnic benches on the gravel outside
    Ye Olde Fighting CocksSt Albans, EnglandAD 7931756
    Claims AD 793; first recorded 1756.
    Grade C
  3. Number 3.
    Whitewashed gable end of the White Lion Inn with its painted name board above the door
    The White Lion InnLlanelian-yn-Rhos, WalesAD 800—no early record found
    Claims AD 800; no early record found.
    Grade C
  4. Number 4.
    Worn black wooden bar counter under lamplight, with an accordion, old framed adverts and a lantern
    Sean's BarAthlone, IrelandAD 9001738
    Claims AD 900; first recorded 1738; building c.1725.
    Grade C
  5. Number 5.
    Cotswold limestone frontage with mullioned windows and a stone porch, under a steep tiled roof
    The Porch HouseStow-on-the-Wold, EnglandAD 947—no early record found
    Claims AD 947; no early record found.
    Grade C
  6. Number 6.
    Long whitewashed inn with a slate roof behind a low stone wall, Cornish and Union flags flying
    The Bush InnMorwenstow, EnglandAD 950—no early record found
    Claims AD 950; no early record found.
    Grade C
  7. Number 7.
    Long gritstone rear range with mullioned windows above a paved terrace of tables and parasols
    The Bingley ArmsBardsey, EnglandAD 9531738
    Claims AD 953; first recorded 1738; building c.1738.
    Grade C
  8. Number 8.
    Long white rendered inn with a slate roof and hanging sign, the granite church tower behind
    The Old InnSt Breward, England1000—no early record found
    Claims 1000; no early record found.
    Grade C
  9. Number 9.
    Brick pub wall with sash windows and flower baskets along a narrow passage, hanging oak-tree sign
    The Royal OakWinchester, England10021430
    Claims 1002; first recorded 1430; building c.1450.
    Grade C
  10. Number 10.
    White rendered wall under a slate roof with the inn's name and AD 1028 painted in black lettering
    The Church House InnRattery, England1028—no early record found
    Claims 1028; no early record found.
    Grade C
  12. Number 11.
    The long pink abbey range at Weltenburg, with the Klosterschenke’s tables and benches under autumn chestnuts
    Klosterschenke WeltenburgKelheim-Weltenburg, Germany1050—no early record found
    Claims 1050; no early record found.
    Grade C
  13. Number 12.
    Stone inn with OLD SWAN INN in gold letters across the front, a gabled wing and tall chimneys
    Old Swan InnLlantwit Major, Wales1100—no early record found
    Locally dated 1100; no early record found.
    Grade C
  14. Number 13.
    The whitewashed Crown Inn at Lanlivery with picnic benches and the church tower behind
    The Crown InnLanlivery, England1100—no early record found
    Dated 1100 by CAMRA; no early record found.
    Grade C
  15. Number 14.
    The granite front of the Oxenham Arms with its gabled porch and hanging inn sign
    The Oxenham ArmsSouth Zeal, England1100—no early record found
    Claims 1100; no early record found.
    Grade C
  16. Number 15.
    Old red sandstone inn with a steep slate roof, mullioned windows and benches on the cobbles
    The Skirrid InnLlanvihangel Crucorney, Wales1110—no early record found
    Claims 1110; no early record found.
    Grade C
  17. Number 16.
    Pink and white painted front with coats of arms and dates, lettered Hotel Bären, tables set out below
    Zum Roten BärenFreiburg im Breisgau, Germany11201387
    Claims 1120; first recorded 1387; building c.1120.
    Grade B
  18. Number 17.
    White rendered and timber-framed inn with a tiled roof, brick chimney and wrought-iron sign
    The Olde BellHurley, England1135—no early record found
    Claims 1135; no early record found.
    Grade C
  19. Number 18.
    The long whitewashed range of the Old House Inn, thatch at one end, seen across its car park
    The Old House 1147Llangynwyd, Wales11471800
    Claims 1147; first recorded 1800.
    Grade C
  20. Number 19.
    Thatched black-and-white timber-framed pub behind a painted sign of a red lion on an iron post
    The Red LionChalton, England1147—no early record found
    Claims 1147; no early record found.
    Grade C
  21. Number 20.
    Narrow timber-framed pub wedged between a brick warehouse and a curry house, red lion carved above the windows
    Red LionSouthampton, England11481552
    1148 with no published claimant; first recorded 1552.
    Grade C
  22. Number 21.
    Three-storey brick inn on a street corner with a sandstone arcade, hanging sign and flower baskets
    The Pied BullChester, England1155—no early record found
    Claims 1155; no early record found.
    Grade C
  23. Number 22.
    Tall half-timbered house with jettied upper floors, slate gable and a sandstone ground storey
    Gasthaus Zum RiesenMiltenberg, Germany11581411
    Claims 1158; first recorded 1411; building c.1590.
    Grade C
  24. Number 23.
    Pointed stone arch doorway in a rubble-stone wall, flanked by hanging baskets and a chalkboard
    Lord Crewe ArmsBlanchland, England1165—no early record found
    Claims 1165; no early record found.
    Grade C
  25. Number 24.
    Low-beamed bar room with leaded bay windows, dark timbers and a scatter of wooden tables
    The Lamb InnEastbourne, England1180—no early record found
    Claims 1180; no early record found.
    Grade C
  26. Number 25.
    Ye Olde Trip to Jerusalem under the sandstone of Castle Rock, its gable painted 'the oldest inn in England'
    Ye Olde Trip to JerusalemNottingham, England11891751
    Claims 1189; first recorded 1751; building c.1650.
    Grade C
  28. Number 26.
    Weatherboarded pub on a wet street corner under grey cloud, hanging sign on a cast-iron lamp post
    The Coopers ArmsRochester, England1189—no early record found
    Claims 1189; no early record found.
    Grade C
  29. Number 27.
    Illustration of a thatch building, standing in for a photograph of Holly Bush Inn
    Holly Bush InnSalt, England1190—no early record found
    Claims 1190; no early record found.
    Grade C
  30. Number 28.
    Stone-fronted pub with a battlemented parapet and arched carriageway, beside a painted gable sign
    The Brazen HeadDublin, Ireland11981613
    Claims 1198; first recorded 1613.
    Grade C
  31. Number 29.
    Long tile-hung and timber-framed inn on a bend in the village street, hanging baskets along its front
    George & DragonHoughton, England12001867
    Dated 1200 by CAMRA; first recorded 1867.
    Grade C
  32. Number 30.
    Thatched stone inn with its name in gold on the gable, beside a lane climbing out of the village
    Llindir InnHenllan, Wales1200—no early record found
    Claims 1200; no early record found.
    Grade C
  33. Number 31.
    Granite gable end with the inn's painted free-house sign, beside a lane running down to Ouaisné Bay
    Old Smugglers InnOuaisné, Jersey1200—no early record found
    Claims 1200; no early record found.
    Grade C
  34. Number 32.
    Whitewashed corner inn with bargeboarded gables, red name boards and a bull sign in a wrought-iron bracket
    The Black Bull InnBoroughbridge, England1200—no early record found
    Dated 1200 by CAMRA; no early record found.
    Grade C
  35. Number 33.
    Tall limestone building with a bright red timber shopfront and oriel window on a narrow street
    The King's HeadGalway, Ireland1200—no early record found
    Claims 1200; no early record found.
    Grade C
  36. Number 34.
    Whitewashed thatched inn with a broad stone chimney, beside a lane at the head of a creek
    The Pandora InnMylor Bridge, England1200—no early record found
    Claims 1200; no early record found.
    Grade C
  37. Number 35.
    Stone rear range of the inn with an arched carriage entry, blackboards and a carved wooden bear
    The Ship InnPorlock, England1200—no early record found
    Claims 1200; no early record found.
    Grade C
  38. Number 36.
    White pub on a street corner in low autumn sun, name lettered across the gable end
    Ye Olde SwanThames Ditton, England1200—no early record found
    Dated 1200 in the press; no early record found.
    Grade C
  39. Number 37.
    Stone front with a carriage arch, a gilded angel above it and mullioned windows either side
    The Angel and RoyalGrantham, England1203—no early record found
    Claims 1203; no early record found; building c.1370.
    Grade C
  40. Number 38.
    Timber-framed inn with three jettied gables in bright sun, metal tables on the pavement
    Ye Olde King's HeadChester, England1208—no early record found
    Claims 1208; no early record found.
    Grade C
  41. Number 39.
    Large half-timbered inn with a tiled roof and clipped bay trees, benches on the forecourt
    George & DragonSpeldhurst, England1212—no early record found
    Dated 1212 by CAMRA; no early record found.
    Grade C
  42. Number 40.
    Rambling brick and timber pub with tall chimneys and leaded bay windows above a flint garden wall
    The Royal Standard of EnglandForty Green, England1213—no early record found
    Claims 1213; no early record found.
    Grade C
  43. Number 41.
    Illustration of a timber building, standing in for a photograph of White Hart
    White HartLondon, England1216—no early record found
    Claims 1216; no early record found; building c.1912.
    Grade C
  44. Number 42.
    Black-and-white photograph of the late-Gothic stone front of Botermarkt 3, lettered Cafe Turk over the ground floor and on the door
    Café Den TurkGhent, Belgium1228—no early record found
    1228 with no published claimant; no early record found.
    Grade C
  45. Number 43.
    Cream-painted pub front with a carved timber fascia, slate roof and two flags on poles
    The Turks HeadPenzance, England1233—no early record found
    Claims 1233; no early record found.
    Grade C
  46. Number 44.
    Long white rendered inn with a sagging tiled roof and painted name board, above a brick base
    Ye Olde Salutation InnNottingham, England1240—no early record found
    Claims 1240; no early record found; building c.1360.
    Grade C
  47. Number 45.
    Small whitewashed corner pub with a tall brick chimney, black-framed windows and chalkboards
    The Bear InnOxford, England12421774
    Claims 1242; first recorded 1774.
    Grade C
  48. Number 46.
    Low flint and brick pub with pantiled roofs and benches outside, the cathedral spire behind
    Adam and EveNorwich, England1249—no early record found
    Claims 1249; no early record found.
    Grade C
  49. Number 47.
    Black-and-white timbered pub with bay windows, a painted sign of a man with a scythe and dates
    Ye Olde Man & ScytheBolton, England1251—no early record found
    Locally dated 1251; no early record found.
    Grade C
  50. Number 48.
    White gabled tavern with grey shutters and a panelled oak door under a carved 1703 pediment
    Taverne zur KroneDietikon, Switzerland12591259
    Claims 1259; first recorded 1259; building c.1703.
    Grade A
  51. Number 49.
    Stone front of Kyteler’s Inn in sunlight, gilt lettering over the arched door and a painted hanging sign
    Kyteler's InnKilkenny, Ireland12631639
    Claims 1263; first recorded 1639; building c.1275.
    Grade B
  52. Number 50.
    White rendered inn with a dark timber gable and dormers, above a granite wall by a reservoir
    Jaškovská krčmaTěrlicko, Czechia12681268
    Claims 1268; first recorded 1268; building c.1691.
    Grade A
  54. Number 51.
    Granite pub with slate roofs around a yard, a painted sign of a tinner beside the door
    The Tinners ArmsZennor, England1271—no early record found
    Claims 1271; no early record found.
    Grade C
  55. Number 52.
    The arched entrance to Piwnica Świdnicka, its name in gold letters above painted doors
    Piwnica ŚwidnickaWrocław, Poland1273—no early record found
    Claims 1273; no early record found.
    Grade C
  56. Number 53.
    The Cotswold stone front of the Eight Bells with hanging baskets and a painted ales board
    Eight BellsChipping Campden, England1300—no early record found
    Claims 1300; no early record found.
    Grade C
  57. Number 54.
    Carpeted staircase with a heavy turned balustrade rising to a timber-framed landing and mirror
    The GeorgeCranbrook, England1300—no early record found
    Claims 1300; no early record found.
    Grade C
  58. Number 55.
    Stone and rendered inn with a black name board, lanterns and flowers along the front
    The George InnLacock, England1300—no early record found
    Claims 1300; no early record found.
    Grade C
  59. Number 56.
    Granite front of The Old Inn at Widecombe, gold name board over the windows and the hanging sign at the right
    The Old InnWidecombe-in-the-Moor, England1300—no early record found
    Claims 1300; no early record found.
    Grade C
  60. Number 57.
    Long tile-hung and timber-framed pub behind a clipped hedge, brick stacks and red parasols
    The White HartWitley, England1300—no early record found
    Dated 1300 by CAMRA; no early record found.
    Grade C
  61. Number 58.
    Whitewashed inn with stone-slate roof at the foot of a cobbled lane, benches by the door
    The Old Bridge InnRipponden, England13071754
    Claims 1307; first recorded 1754.
    Grade B
  62. Number 59.
    Jettied timber-framed inn with a dormer and a green dragon sign, brick stacks above
    Green DragonWymondham, England1310—no early record found
    Claims 1310; no early record found.
    Grade C
  63. Number 60.
    Timber-framed inn behind an open oak market hall on stone staddles, picnic tables under its roof
    The New InnPembridge, England1311—no early record found
    Locally dated 1311; no early record found.
    Grade C
  64. Number 61.
    Whitewashed harbour inn with a tall chimney and painted sloop sign, on the cobbled wharf
    The Sloop InnSt Ives, England1312—no early record found
    Claims 1312; no early record found.
    Grade C
  65. Number 62.
    Thatched, whitewashed inn with three brick chimneys, a gold-lettered board and picnic tables
    Scotch Piper InnLydiate, England1320—no early record found
    Claims 1320; no early record found.
    Grade B
  66. Number 63.
    Long thatched and whitewashed inn curving along a lane, with white chimneys and window boxes
    The Cott InnDartington, England1320—no early record found
    Claims 1320; no early record found.
    Grade C
  67. Number 64.
    White-painted three-storey front lettered Haunch of Venison above a board reading An Old English Chop House
    The Haunch of VenisonSalisbury, England1320—no early record found
    Claims 1320; no early record found.
    Grade C
  68. Number 65.
    Red-brick pub with a tiled roof, tall chimneys, timber porch and a bell set in the wall
    The Bell InnAldworth, England1340—no early record found
    1340 with no published claimant; no early record found.
    Grade C
  69. Number 66.
    Whitewashed inn with a slate roof and porch, the ruined stone tower rising at the right
    The Tower InnSlapton, England1347—no early record found
    Claims 1347; no early record found.
    Grade C
  70. Number 67.
    Small jettied timber-framed inn under a tiled roof with a red hanging sign, dark yew behind
    Ye Olde Yew Tree InnWestbere, England1348—no early record found
    Claims 1348; no early record found.
    Grade C
  71. Number 68.
    White rendered pub with a steep tiled roof and brick chimney behind a white picket fence
    The Angel InnAddington, England1350—no early record found
    Dated 1350 in the press; no early record found.
    Grade C
  72. Number 69.
    White-painted thatched pub with sweeping roofs and a brick chimney, beside a village lane
    The Barley MowClifton Hampden, England1352—no early record found
    Claims 1352; no early record found; building c.1352.
    Grade B
  73. Number 70.
    Two long wooden skittle lanes under a beamed roof, pins set at the far end of the hall
    The Sheep Heid InnEdinburgh, Scotland1360—no early record found
    Claims 1360; no early record found.
    Grade C
  74. Number 71.
    Illustration of a stone building, standing in for a photograph of Ye Olde Bull Ring Tavern
    Ye Olde Bull Ring TavernLudlow, England1365—no early record found
    Claims 1365; no early record found.
    Grade C
  75. Number 72.
    Timber-framed corner pub with close studding, jettied first floor and two brick chimneys
    The Old CrownBirmingham, England13681626
    Claims 1368; first recorded 1626; building c.1450.
    Grade C
  76. Number 73.
    Cream-washed gable end with a tall chimney and leaded windows, behind a green picket fence
    The Brocket ArmsAyot St Lawrence, England13781694
    1378 with no published claimant; first recorded 1694.
    Grade C
  77. Number 74.
    Thick-walled limestone inn under a deep thatched roof, with stone chimneys and green windows
    The Blue Anchor InnEast Aberthaw, Wales1380—no early record found
    Claims 1380; no early record found.
    Grade C
  78. Number 75.
    White rendered gable painted with the tavern's name in black blackletter, above a tiled roof
    Turf TavernOxford, England13811790
    Claims 1381; first recorded 1790.
    Grade C
  80. Number 76.
    Timber-framed inn with a deep tiled roof and jettied upper floor, seen across the village green
    The Crown InnChiddingfold, England1383—no early record found
    Claims 1383; no early record found; building c.1350.
    Grade B
  81. Number 77.
    A long whitewashed farmhouse under a slate roof, its hanging sign lettered Plough and Harrow, with benches on the grass in front
    Plough & HarrowMonknash, Wales1383—no early record found
    Claims 1383; no early record found; building c.1600.
    Grade C
  82. Number 78.
    The George Inn at Norton St Philip: stone ground floor, timber-framed upper storeys and a wide arched entry
    The George InnNorton St Philip, England13971432
    Claims 1397; first recorded 1432; building c.1430.
    Grade A
  83. Number 79.
    Whitewashed inn beside a stone church tower, parasol and benches on the terrace above the lane
    Royal OakCardington, England14001800
    Dated 1400 by CAMRA; first recorded 1800.
    Grade C
  84. Number 80.
    Illustration of a timber building, standing in for a photograph of The Plough Inn
    The Plough InnStalisfield Green, England14001841
    Claims 1400; first recorded 1841.
    Grade B
  85. Number 81.
    Two-storey rubble-stone pub with white chimneys on a road corner, benches and a green name sign
    Prince of WalesKenfig, Wales14001886
    Dated 1400 by CAMRA; first recorded 1886.
    Grade C
  86. Number 82.
    Hung-tile inn at a bend in the village street, board reading Pub Restaurant Riverside Gardens
    The Chequers InnLamberhurst, England1400—no early record found
    Claims 1400; no early record found.
    Grade C
  87. Number 83.
    Stone porch topped by a bell in an arch, timber-framed inn behind with its name on the fascia
    The Old BellRye, England1400—no early record found
    Dated 1400 by CAMRA; no early record found.
    Grade C
  88. Number 84.
    White inn with a tiled roof and painted name lettering, set back behind a paved forecourt
    Ye Olde George InnChristchurch, England1400—no early record found
    Claims 1400; no early record found.
    Grade C
  89. Number 85.
    Illustration of a thatch building, standing in for a photograph of Ye Olde Six Bells
    Ye Olde Six BellsHorley, England1403—no early record found
    Dated 1403 by CAMRA; no early record found.
    Grade C
  90. Number 86.
    Huge carved and painted wine cask filling an arch of the whitewashed cellar, tables in front of it
    Bremer RatskellerBremen, Germany14051405
    Claims 1405; first recorded 1405; building c.1405.
    Grade A
  91. Number 87.
    Half-timbered tavern with green shutters, window boxes and bunting over the cobbled street
    SchlenkerlaBamberg, Germany14051678
    Claims 1405; first recorded 1678.
    Grade B
  92. Number 88.
    White and black painted inn front with a lettered fascia, sash windows and window boxes
    George & DragonBeaumaris, Wales14101770
    Claims 1410; first recorded 1770; building c.1541.
    Grade C
  93. Number 89.
    Timber-framed and white-plastered pub with brick chimneys, a name board and gravel forecourt
    The Three ChimneysBiddenden, England1420—no early record found
    Claims 1420; no early record found.
    Grade C
  94. Number 90.
    Gabled stone frontage with a projecting clock and gold-lettered fascia, beside the Gray's Inn gate
    Cittie of YorkeLondon, England1430—no early record found
    Claims 1430; no early record found; building c.1923.
    Grade C
  95. Number 91.
    Four-storey harled tenement on a Leith corner, dark blue ground floor lettered with the pub name and number 36
    The King's WarkEdinburgh, Scotland14341613
    Claims 1434; first recorded 1613.
    Grade C
  96. Number 92.
    The oval sign inside Al Brindisi reading Hostaria del Chiucchiolino, al Brindisi, 1435, Enoteca con cucina, over a shelf of carafes
    Al BrindisiFerrara, Italy1435—no early record found
    Claims 1435; no early record found.
    Grade C
  97. Number 93.
    Cream-painted inn front with large black lettering, a gilded bell on the parapet and window plants
    The Bell InnNottingham, England14371638
    Claims 1437; first recorded 1638; building c.1420.
    Grade B
  98. Number 94.
    Red sandstone inn with a gabled stone porch, ivy on the wall and a carriage arch to the left
    The Luttrell ArmsDunster, England1443—no early record found
    Claims 1443; no early record found; building c.1443.
    Grade B
  99. Number 95.
    Illustration of a stone building, standing in for a photograph of Cantina Do Spade
    Cantina Do SpadeVenice, Italy14481448
    Claims 1448; first recorded 1448.
    Grade A
  100. Number 96.
    White-rendered galleried inn front between high street shops, gold lettering over the carriage arch
    New InnGloucester, England1450—no early record found
    1450 with no published claimant; no early record found; building c.1450.
    Grade B
  101. Number 97.
    The white three-storey Old Court House Inn facing St Aubin's harbour, with its name on the front and a smaller Gothic-windowed wing
    The Old Court House InnSt Aubin, Jersey1450—no early record found
    Locally dated 1450; no early record found; building c.1611.
    Grade C
  102. Number 98.
    Cream-rendered inn with a leaded oriel window lettered Kings Head above a stone archway
    King's HeadAylesbury, England14551455
    Claims 1455; first recorded 1455.
    Grade A
  103. Number 99.
    Stone tavern with bright red shutters and a lettered fascia, seen across the grass of the links
    The Golf TavernEdinburgh, Scotland1456—no early record found
    Claims 1456; no early record found.
    Grade C
  104. Number 100.
    Red-brick front of Markt 50 with DE PRESSE over the café windows, a terrace in front and an arched passage at the side
    Café De PresseGeraardsbergen, Belgium1459—no early record found
    Dated 1459 in the press; no early record found.
    Grade C

Photo credits

Questions about the list

What is the oldest pub in the world?
By claim, The Old Ferry Boat Inn in Holywell claims AD 560 — but that date is tradition, not record. By documentary evidence the strongest cases sit far lower down this list: Taverne zur Krone (1259) and Jaškovská krčma (1268). The oldest pub in the world: both answers, side by side
Why is the pub with the oldest claim not the best documented?
A founding legend costs nothing to print on a sign. A record costs a licensing roll, a rental, a court entry or a tree-ring survey to prove. Only 6 of the pubs on this list have a document from at or near the date they claim; 11 have a building of the right age but a later first mention, and 83 rest on tradition. The record column takes a date of any kind, however late; it is the grade beside it that measures the claim itself. The Claims Report: how far each claim is from its record
Why is every pub on this list European?
That is arithmetic rather than a choice: hundredth place is held at 1459 and the oldest claim outside Europe is 1668. England and its neighbours kept inns in continuous use and kept records of them, and they have the most houses making early claims — which is not the same as the most proof. How a claim is graded, and what counts as a record
Can a pub be added to the list?
Yes, if it is still trading and makes a claim older than the pub at the bottom of this list (currently 1459). Send the evidence through Suggest a correction and we will read it.
How often is the list checked?
Trading status is re-checked every month, and the ranking is rebuilt from the data on every deploy, so a pub that closes or a claim that is disproved moves the same day we record it. Each pub page shows the month it was last checked.