Somerset's George Inn named oldest pub in England

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 24 Oct, 13:02 · Archive

The George Inn in Norton St Philip, Somerset, has been recognised as England's oldest pub by Historic England.

The George Inn in Norton St Philip, Somerset, has been recognised by Historic England as England's oldest pub. The Somerset County Gazette reports that the inn dates to 1397, whilst the BBC says science pinpoints its archaeological development to about 1430. Building archaeologist Dr James Wright attributes the inn's construction to the Carthusian monks of nearby Hinton Priory, who built it in the late 14th century to accommodate merchants attending the monastery's markets and fairs.

Dr Wright believes the George Inn has the 'strongest claim' to being England's earliest surviving purpose-built inn. The pub is Grade I listed and was originally constructed as a store for wool for nearby Hinton Charterhouse. It would also welcome travellers attending annual wool fairs, which were held from the 13th century until Victorian times.

The pub has a notable history. Samuel Pepys, the diarist famous for recording the Great Fire of London, stopped there in 1668 and described it as 'a very old house'. It served as headquarters for the Duke of Monmouth during the Monmouth Rebellion of 1685. After the Duke's defeat, the pub became a courtroom for 'hanging judge' George Jeffreys, who condemned local rebels during the Bloody Assizes. More recently, the Somerset County Gazette reports it featured as a filming location for the comedy 'Mother's Pride', starring Martin Clunes and James Buckley.

How it is being reported

• Could Somerset pub be the oldest in England?Experts say The George Inn, in Norton St Philip, which dates to about 1430, is England's oldest pub.BBC Somerset · 24 Oct, 12:32
• Historic 14th century Somerset inn named the oldest pub in EnglandThe oldest pub in England is in Somerset, according to Historic England.Somerset County Gazette · 24 Oct, 05:00

In this story: The George Inn · Historic England · Norton St Philip · Somerset · Dr James Wright · Hinton Priory · Samuel Pepys · Duke of Monmouth

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