Theguardian iconTheguardianOct 23, 2026

Which is really England’s oldest pub? Tree-ring dating helps settle debate

Historic England archaeologist says some inns’ claims to date back 1,000 years are inaccurate and oldest is from 1430 With their low ceilings, timber beams and roaring fires, many of England’s inns lay claim to being the oldest in the land and to have been visited by Vikings and Saxons. But an archaeologist working for

Which is really England’s oldest pub? Tree-ring dating helps settle debate

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