Oxfordshire pubs rival UK's oldest with centuries of history

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 28 Oct, 16:50 · Archive

Several Oxfordshire pubs claim histories spanning centuries, potentially rivalling the UK's oldest licenced pub.

Historians have identified the George Inn in Somerset as the UK's oldest licenced pub, built in the late 14th century and operating for more than 600 years. Several Oxfordshire pubs, however, can match or exceed this age.

The Bear Inn, often regarded as Oxfordshire's oldest, traces its history to 1242 on Oxford's High Street. When that building was converted to private housing in 1801, a pub called the Jolly Trooper on Alfred Street adopted the Bear's name. Some historians argue this succession means the current pub inherited the original's history.

The Barley Mow in Clifton Hampden, a Grade II-listed building, dates to 1352 and is described by historic pub researchers as one of the oldest surviving inn buildings in Oxfordshire. It featured in Jerome K. Jerome's novel Three Men in a Boat and Charles Dickens Jr's The Dictionary of the Thames.

The Turf Tavern in Oxford claims to date to 1381, though historians found its first published records around the eighteenth century. Reached through narrow alleys beneath New College's walls, it has hosted figures including Tony Blair, Stephen Hawking and Margaret Thatcher.

How it is being reported

• Inside Oxfordshire's five oldest pubs and their centuries of historyHistorians claim to have finally confirmed the UK's oldest licenced pub, but some Oxfordshire pubs can rival that by centuries.Oxfordshire Guardian · 28 Oct, 16:00
• Inside Oxfordshire's five oldest pubs and their centuries of historyHistorians claim to have finally confirmed the UK's oldest licenced pub, but some Oxfordshire pubs can rival that by centuries.Oxford Mail · 28 Oct, 16:00

In this story: Oxfordshire · The Bear Inn · The Barley Mow · The Turf Tavern · The George Inn · Oxford

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