Alongside queueing, talking about the weather, and suggesting ‘a nice cup of tea’ as a cure to – quite literally – anything; nipping to the pub is basically a British personality trait at this point. And look, it’s hardly surprising; because those trusty taverns sure have been around for long enough. One that’s been around for a particularly long time, however, is Ye Olde Fighting Cocks in St Albans, which happens to be less than an hour from the capital city.
Now look, before I continue – I’m well aware that there’s no definitive answer to the question of which pub is actually the oldest in the country. Conversations around the topic are always going to be a tad hazy, because – well… at the end of the day, none of us were there when the very first watering holes were built.
What I do know, however, is that at one point, Ye Olde Fighting Cocks held a Guinness World Record for being the oldest pub in England – which surely has to count for something. And just like many other things that I hold next to no completely conclusive evidence on; I’m still going to put my two cents in on the matter. So, here we go.
The history of Ye Olde Fighting Cocks
With roots that supposedly date all the way back to 793AD, Ye Olde Fighting Cocks makes quite a convincing claim to being the most ancient alehouse in the country. So much so that it used to be the proud owner of a Guinness World Record for exactly that. The title was unfortunately later revoked, though, because they realised it was impossible to actually verify due to murky records.
The pub’s foundations are said to have once been part of the palace of Offa (King of Mercia). Historical records, however, indicate that the current building was most likely to have been constructed at some point in the 11th century, making it not quite as old as it may claim. Imagine wanting people to believe that you’re older than you actually are. I spend a rather hefty amount of time and money trying to do the exact opposite – but each to their own, and all that…
The first known reference to Ye Olde Fighting Cocks was in 1756, when it traded under the name ‘The Three Pigeons’. It’s former name was due to the building’s original use as a pigeon house, and the pub’s unique octagonal structure is also a nod to its previous life.
Regardless of the exact details, we do know that Ye Olde Fighting Cocks is a truly well-trodden tavern, with history, charm, and stories to tell by the pint-load. One such story is that Oliver Cromwell once spent the night there – and there’s even a plaque outside to commemorate this tale.
Ye Olde Fighting Cocks nowadays
The pup went into administration in 2022, but was heroically saved by two former employees. Nowadays, Ye Olde Fighting Cocks is a warm and welcome watering hole, offering a ‘place of serenity and relaxation for its visitors’. It’s been beautifully preserved, serves up a decent pint and some delicious pub grub – and is well worth a visit if you’re in the area. Or even if you’re not, for that matter. It is just a stone’s throw quite train ride from London, after all.
Find out more about Ye Olde Fighting Cocks and plan your visit here.
đź“Ť 16 Abbey Mill Lane, St Albans, AL3 4HE.