Oldest Pubs of Britain

From The Dark Ages

It is remarkable to consider that the Old Exeter Inn has been trading continuously on this spot since 1130AD, some sixty-four years after the Norman Invasion of 1066. We’re the 5th oldest pub in Britain and more besides!

When David Hattersley bought the Old Exeter Inn in 2019, its rich history hadn’t really been uncovered. With the help of Andrew Paul, a researcher based in London, David began to piece together the age of the property in relation to its trading history, ownership and some of the characters who have passed through its doors for nigh on 900 years. We are confident that our position as the 5th-oldest pub in Britain is correct. We’re now working hard to make sure that our proper place in the ranking of the oldest pubs is recognised widely. Elaine Harrison, our PR Agent, is spreading the good news!

And we are the oldest freehouse in the world

The term ‘freehouse’ means that the establishment is not tied to a brewer of any kind (‘free of tie’). The ‘beer tie’ is a centuries-old concept where breweries and now pub companies lease their pubs to tenants. As part of the agreement, the tenant is restricted (tied) into buying its beer and products from the owner of the building (often at very inflated prices). The tenant pays rent and is limited to a small range of things he can sell, often with very small profit margins.

We can find no evidence that the Old Exeter Inn has ever been tied to or owned by a brewery. It is still privately owned to this day and very much a freehouse. Given the age of the property and that it has been in continual use from medieval times as a brewhouse to modern-day pub, and always in private ownership, we are certain in our claim that we are the oldest freehouse in the world.

For more about the history of the Old Exeter Inn click here.