Nottingham's oldest pub question 'solved' - and it's not Ye Olde Trip to Jerusalem

An archaeologist says he has cracked one of Nottingham’s most hotly debated questions - what is the city’s oldest pub? Three inns - Ye Olde Trip to Jerusalem, Ye Olde Salutation Inn and the Bell Inn - have staked their claims over the years, asserting dates between the 12th and 15th centuries.

While one is the oldest, all of the dates are well wide of the mark according to local archaeologist James Wright, who has busted the myths surrounding Nottingham's oldest pubs in his new book. “The stories are more well-known than the real history. There’s a disconnect between genuine, verifiable evidence and tall tales and folklore.

After five years of research, which involved methods such as surveying buildings, dating tree rings and checking court archives, Dr Wright is certain he's come to a firm conclusion. “I want to be clear this is not a take-down, this is me trying to understand the buildings. I love these pubs, I really do.

"I will probably have a pint in two of them tonight," he said. “I really think we should judge pubs on the quality of their food, drink, atmosphere and clientele rather than how old they are."

Shockingly, Dr Wright says the Trip is the youngest of the pubs, despite claiming to be England's oldest inn. The statement is even made clear in huge font on the side of the building along with the date '1189 AD'.

But this is at least 600 years out, Dr Wright said. “The idea that it could’ve been a public house in the 12th century doesn’t hold up because historically this is a private part of the castle.

"So the 1189 claim is already on shaky ground," he said. The archaeologist also dismissed the claim that the Trip was used as a meeting point for Crusaders, including King Richard the Lionheart, before their journey to Jerusalem, pointing out Crusaders never met in Nottingham.

After thoroughly surveying the pub, Dr Wright was able to determine from its timber frames that it was originally built in the 1670s.

But it was likely built as a house before being converted into a pub in 1751, when it is first referred to in court records under its previous name as the Pilgrim. The first reference to its current name wasn't until 1799.

The 1189 date was in fact a lie told by its landlord, George Ward, in 1909 in a bid to boost trade, Dr Wright claimed. "At the time, there was a much bigger pub called the Gate Hangs Well. It was massive and dwarfed the Trip, blocking the view of Brewhouse Yard," he said.

“It was demolished in 1909 and George Ward got his paint out and saw an opportunity. He realises he’s got the monopoly on Brewhouse Yard and wants to drum up some trade. It’s an advertising opportunity from a landlord who wants to make a few quid."

The press began to report the 1189 claim in the 1930s and have pedalled it ever since, Dr Wright said, leading to people coming to visit the pub from all over the world. "I can see why, it’s a phenomenally good pub, which is run incredibly well," he said.

"The beer is some of the best kept anywhere in Nottingham and people enjoy themselves there. I don’t think it needs the story necessarily to sell it."

When asked whether the Trip should remove the claim he says is false, Dr Wright said: “I think it should stay. It itself tells a story. I don’t think they should take it off, it’s an important fixture that’s been there in some form for over 100 years."

Dr Wright's research determined the oldest is in fact the Bell Inn. The pub, situated off Old Market Square, claims the most recent date of 1437, but was in fact built as a house and shop in the 1440s.

The property was first referred to as a pub in someone's will in 1638, meaning the watering hole's claim is at least 200 years out, but it nonetheless holds the crown as the city's oldest, according to Dr Wright.

The Salutation - which claims to have been established in 1240 - was found to be the second oldest, originally built as a house in the 1440s before first being referred to as a pub in 1725. “This isn’t new, it just comes as a shock to a lot of people. I’ve been able to gather evidence and tie it together. All the evidence was out there," said Dr Wright.

A spokesperson for Greene King, which owns both the Trip and the Bell Inn, said: “Both Ye Olde Trip to Jerusalem and The Bell Inn are beloved Nottingham institutions with heritage going back centuries. It is welcome that the origins of pubs like these continue to be debated as it helps shine a spotlight on our many remarkable pubs that have served their communities for hundreds of years.”

• Historic Building Mythbusting: Uncovering Folklore, History and Archaeology by James Wright is available now.