How to Visit Ye Olde Trip To Jerusalem, Nottingham

Last Updated on 1st January 2024 by Sophie Nadeau

This post may contain affiliate links. Please check out my privacy policy and disclosure for more information.

If you’re headed to Nottingham anytime soon, then one place you should be sure to check out is Ye olde Trip to Jerusalem, which (depending on who you ask) is the oldest pub in England! Here’s how to visit Ye Olde Trip to Jerusalem, including a history and tips for visiting.

Nottingham is a city steeped in history in legend. It’s where spirited outlaw Robin Hood is alleged to have worked hard to take from the rich and give to the poor, where fine lace has been woven over the centuries, and even where ibuprofen was discovered!

But ask any local what’s the number one thing to do in town, and they’ll undoubtedly point you in the direction of Ye Olde Trip to Jerusalem, the finest establishment this side of the River Trent. After all, there’s a good reason why the tavern is consistently voted as one of the UK’s favourite pubs…

A history of Ye Olde Trip to Jerusalem

The pub allegedly dates back to 1189, though there’s no concrete evidence pointing to the establishment actually existing in this date. This year is pretty historic in that it’s when Richard the Lionheart became king and Pope Gregory VIII called for a Third Crusade to the Holy Land.

Nestled in the shadow of the castle (which we can say for certainty dates back to the 11th-century), many of the pub’s rooms are hewn into the sandstone of the Castle rock face, leading to a rather unique interior appearance.

Some of the caves which are attached to the pub were carved out during the Middle Ages (as far back as 1067), and some theories suggest that these were used as a brewhouse for the castle. What is now the Rock Lounge within the pub today is a cave which dates back to the 12th-century, making it one of the oldest caves in Nottingham.

It wasn’t until 1799 when the name ‘Ye Olde Trip to Jerusalem’ was first referenced. Prior to this, it’s believed that the pub was known as ‘The Pilgrim,’ though this name is only attested as far back as 1751. This stems from the fact that crusaders and pilgrims alike would likely have stopped in at the inn on their way to Jerusalem.

In the context of the name ‘Ye Olde’ just means ‘The Old’ and ‘Trip’ (formerly written as trypp) actually means ‘Stop’ or ‘Rest Spot’. Many older locals still refer to the pub as simply ‘the trip’.

Most parts of the building you see today date back to between 1650 and 1660, though there was a mention of an earlier pub on site in 1610 in a John Speed Map. Today the pub is Grade II listed, making it a heritage building which will be preserved by planning laws and regulations for the generations to come.

The caves of Nottingham

It may come as a surprise, but thanks to the soft sandstone upon which Nottingham is built, the city has a rich cave network, some 800 of which survive to this day.

These have been used as jail cells, storage cellars, hideouts, homes, and businesses. If you get the chance to while in Nottingham, I highly recommend booking a guided tour of the City of Caves where you can visit some of the city’s caves together with a local expert and learn more about the history of the city.

Some of the caves which the pub have been integrated into have also seen various uses over the years. As well as operating as the old Malt House (where they brewed ale) for the castle, one cave was once used as a cockfighting venue, and you can still see the former arena today if you go on a guided tour.

Nottingham Castle Gaol was also housed within the vicinity and you can still see a condemned cell under the pub, which is essentially a cold, dark pit where prisoners were left to die. Nearby, the Gaoler’s chair has been hewn out of the rock face.

What not to miss in Ye Olde Trip

As soon as you enter Ye Olde Trip to Jerusalem, you’ll be greeted by dark wooden tables, a convivial ambiance, and interiors which have been decorated akin to a museum with all sorts of unique artefacts on display.

As well as the chance to explore the various rooms of the pub (don’t forget the world-famous Rock Lounge which boasts a chimney that extends 60 foot up into Castle Rock), there are a few objects of note.

This includes a chair which was long believed to have increased a woman’s chances of pregnancy if she sat in it and a cursed Galleon, a wooden model of a ship that is believed to have been a gift from a passing sailor.

You’ll know it’s the right model when you spy all of the dust and cobwebs on it! You see, no one wants to clean the model as it’s believed that the past three people to have done so died mysterious deaths within 3 months of cleaning it!

When to visit the Nottingham Pub

Arguably there is no best time of the year to visit the pub as frequenting an inn is an English tradition that is petty suited to the weather of the UK, meaning that you can head to the pub whatever the weather.

In the summertime, tables spill out into the surrounding square (which is known as Brew House Yard) and picnic benches are filled with endless laughter, the sound of clinking tankards, and the scent of freshly cooked chips doused in a healthy dose of salt and vinegar.

Come wintertime, the dark and mysterious interior is an inviting welcome from early nightfall and perpetual rain. As well as a large selection of local beers and ales, there’s a hearty menu of pub favourites like fish and chips, burgers, and even some vegetarian options. The pub is owned by Greene King so you’ll find Greene King beers on the menu too.

If you fancy more than just the memories to take home with you, then it’s worth noting that the pub sells a number of unusual and unique souvenirs. This includes coasters, mugs, and more. Ask the bar tender for more details as not everything for sale is on display given the limited space within the pub.

Enjoyed reading about how to visit Ye Olde Trip To Jerusalem? Pin this article now, read it again later: