In a country with England’s lengthy history, storied pub culture, and historic landmarks around every corner, you can bet that England is home to some pretty ancient pubs. And many of them make some pretty wild claims to having been around for 100s or 1,000s of years. But just an hour from London, you’ll find a stunning community boozer that has perhaps the strongest argument in its favour for being the oldest pub in England: The Royal Standard of England.
The pub traces its origins all the way back to 1100, but the first recorded instance of the venue dates to 1213, when it was known as The Ship. Its current identity dates to 1663, when King Charles II gave the pub the title of The Royal Standard of England. All that to say, it has an impressive history regardless of whether or not it truly is the oldest pub in the country.
And you can feel that history as soon as you step inside. The modern world is all but left outside as you step through the doors into a pub full of Medieval touches, hanging beams, and fireplaces. Candles light up the tables around you as dusk approaches, and you can feel the weight of history all around you. You might even be visited by some of the characters from the pub’s past! (Keep an ear out in the car park, and you might hear the sound of a ghostly drum from a drummer boy who was killed in the Civil War).
The Royal Standard of England
Lest you think this is little more than a tourist attraction dressed up as a pub, this is a proper neighbourhood boozer. The decor and history inside make the space feel warm and cosy, without seeming like a movie set. Although, ironically, the pub has been the setting for quite a lot of movies and TV shows, such as Hot Fuzz, The Theory of Everything, and Afterlife. There’s even a chicken pie on the menu named for Midsomer Murders, which has shot in the pub numerous times.
Visitors can expect plenty of local ales to sip on and hearty, warming pub food to match the cosy environs. And the pub is a popular spot for a Sunday Roast, with plenty of people walking from all around to reward themselves with a slap-up meal in the pub.
Is it really the oldest pub in England?
Well, it might be! It’s hard to verify with any degree of accuracy which pub in England is actually the oldest in the country. But The Royal Standard of England makes a damn good claim for the title. Ye Olde Fighting Cocks in St Albans also makes a claim for the title, and once held a Guinness World Record for being the oldest pub in England. But that record was later revoked, as it proved impossible to verify.
Another pub, or inn rather, that makes a claim for the title is Ye Olde Trip to Jerusalem in Nottingham. They’ve even printed ‘the oldest inn in England’ across the outside wall above their door. But while the pub clearly boasts some impressive history, there don’t appear to be sufficient records to date the pub appropriately far into the past.
The Royal Standard of England traces its origins back to the Saxon and Germanic settlers. The site, thanks to its natural spring water, was a brewing ground for King Alfred’s West Saxons. The first official record of the pub is from 1213. Back then, it was officially recorded as The Ship Inn, serving the Royal deer hunts.
As if that wasn’t enough, their website is actually ‘theoldestpub.com’. And who are we to argue with that? Either way, the pub is still a brilliant spot to visit. It’s packed full of history, novelty, and charm.
📍 The Royal Standard of England, Forty Green, Beaconsfield, HP9 1XT.
🚂 30 minutes on the train from London Marylebone, plus a half-hour walk.
🚗 The pub boasts a large car park for visitors, and is a 15-minute drive from the M40 (Junction 2).