England’s Oldest Pub Has Been Revealed — and Its Been Serving Ale for Nearly 600 Years

NEED TO KNOW

• The George Inn in Somerset, England, has been recognized by Historic England as the oldest pub in the country after an architectural survey of its medieval timber and stonework

• Building archaeologist Dr. James Wright examined more than 24 pubs with competing claims to the historic title, but found that The George Inn was the oldest

• The inn was reportedly established by monks from nearby Hinton Priory and has operated continuously for over 600 years

England’s oldest pub has been discovered by a building archaeologist who claims it has been serving beer since 1430.

The George Inn in the quaint village of Norton Saint Philip in Somerset has recently been recognized by Historic England (a public body of the U.K. government) as the oldest pub in the country, based on an in-depth architectural survey by building archaeologist Dr. James Wright, according to The Guardian.

Wright investigated the tree growth rings on the wooden beams of the pub and found that some of the material used in The George Inn dated back to the 14th century.

The timber was assessed to have been from 1430 and 1432, which is when the trees were felled by medieval carpenters, per a Historic England video.

Wright looked into more than 24 pubs that claim to be the oldest in the country.

He said the Ye Olde Fighting Cocks in St. Albans, around 25 miles north of London, claimed it had been around since AD 793. Although its timber structure dates back to the 1400s, it was not licensed as an alehouse until around 1807, per The Guardian.

The Bingley Arms near Leeds, in northern England, said it had been founded in 953 and was even featured in the Domesday Book — a record of the Great Survey of England which was commissioned by King William the Conqueror and completed in 1086.

But Wright says its building actually dates back to the 18th century, per The Smithsonian Magazine.

“There are no pubs mentioned – at all – in the Domesday Book, so any pub claiming to be in it is having you on,” Wright told The Guardian. “Not one of the claimants to be the oldest pub (and there are over two dozen of them) are even vaguely close to being so in reality.”

The George Inn has stood at the same location for more than six centuries, serving countless visitors, including “medieval merchants and travellers to today’s guests,” according to its website. Its history dates back to 1397.

“The architectural history of The George Inn’s stone and timber suggests that this building has been in continuous service for over 600 years,” Wright told The Guardian.

He said it was set up in the 14th century by the monks from Hinton Priory, around three miles away from the pub.

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Wright said the stonework that fronts onto the pub is the “oldest part” of The George Inn because it contains what was once the stores of food and ale, the hall used by guests for eating and drinking, and the parlor, which was used for private events, according to the video.

“The real magic of places like The George Inn is that they have been doing exactly the same thing they were designed to do back in the 14th century. People are able to walk through its doors, they’re able to sit by a warm fire, order some food, and have a refreshing drink,” Wright said.

Read the original article on People