Somerset inn has strongest claim to England’s oldest surviving purpose-built inn
Historic England says The George Inn in Norton St Philip, Somerset, has the strongest evidence-based claim to be England’s oldest surviving purpose-built inn. Tree-ring dating and historical documents indicate it began serving merchants more than 600 years ago, making it a rare example of a medieval building still used for hospitality.
The Carthusian monks of nearby Hinton Priory built the inn in the late 14th century to accommodate visitors to their markets and fairs. Its timber frame dates to 1430–1432, and archaeologist Dr James Wright says the building has remained in continuous service; the title has been disputed, and Guinness World Records stopped awarding it in 2000.
In short
- The George Inn is backed by tree-ring evidence as over 600 years old.
- Monks built it to house merchants visiting markets and fairs.
- Its claim rests on documents and surviving medieval timber.
Explained simply
In the Middle Ages, monasteries were important landowners and often held markets and fairs that drew traders and visitors. Inns provided travellers with food, drink and somewhere to stay, and some were built specifically for that purpose.
The George Inn was built by monks from Hinton Priory to serve people visiting their markets and fairs. Its timber frame dates to the early 15th century, and the building has continued to operate as an inn.
Claims about which inn is England’s oldest have been disputed, partly because records and definitions vary. The George is notable as a rare medieval building still used for hospitality, offering a glimpse of how people travelled and traded centuries ago.
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Originally published by Daily Mail as “Cheers! England’s oldest pub is finally named as experts confirm ‘national treasure’ boozer started pulling pints 600 years ago after studying tree rings in timber frame”.