As England's oldest inn, Ye Olde Trip to Jerusalem is nestled beneath the cliff on which Nottingham's historic castle stands, and was once a well-known pit stop for crusader knights. It is said that King Richard the Lionheart and his men gathered at this historic royal dwelling before journeying to Jerusalem in 1189AD, thus giving the pub its unusual name.
A cross between an inn and a museum, the pub features several bars, cosy nooks and snug lounges filled with curiosities and relics of Nottingham's history. You can enjoy a delicious pub meal everyday between 11am and 10pm in the Rock Bar, where you can warm up next to the fire in Yorkie's Lounge, or enjoy the expansive garden area when the weather is pleasant.
Beneath the pub, cave cellars root deep into the sandstone cliff and, like many of Nottingham's 800+ caves, have for centuries been used for storage of ale. Also located in the cellars is an old cockfighting pit and part of the Castle Gaol was said to be housed in the cellars at one time. This included the condemned cell, a small cell with a very low ceiling with small holes drilled to allow a little air to flow through. The Gaoler would have sat just outside the cells on the ‘Gaoler’s Chair’ which was etched out of the rock and can still be seen today.
Whether you’re simply after refreshment while you drink in the history of Nottingham, or are looking to sample some choicest fayre as you contemplate the wealth of heritage around you, you will find a cosy nook, lounge or bar room at The Trip to suit your needs. Take a step back in time and soak up this piece of England’s colourful, and sometimes bloody, past!
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