Ye Olde Trip to Jerusalem: ‘I had a drink in Nottingham’s oldest pub and one thing really stood out to me’

Whether it’s a relaxing pint after work or something a bit more adventurous at the weekend, you can’t beat some time in a good old-fashioned boozer. 

Although it’s common knowledge that alcoholic drinks are usually cheaper in shops, the social element of pubs can’t be easily replaced. 

The UK pub trade has stood the test of time for this very reason. 

Here in Nottingham we’re lucky to have so many fantastic pubs, many of which have been hosting locals for hundreds of years. 

When it comes to Nottingham pubs, it’s fair to say that the Ye Olde Trip to Jerusalem is about as historic as they come. 

It’s thought that the pub was established in 1189 and has links to the time of King Richard the Lionheart, who is believed to have stopped there on his way to Jerusalem. 

Widely considered as the city’s oldest pub, the building sits nestled in the rock beneath Nottingham Castle. 

Despite having walked past the Ye Olde Trip to Jerusalem many times, I’d never actually been inside. 

So, on a Thursday afternoon earlier this month, I thought I’d pop in for a drink to see what it really is like in a pub that’s getting on for 1,000 years old. 

A journey back in time 

Unlike your run-of-the-mill Wetherspoons, the Ye Olde Trip to Jerusalem’s history became apparent as soon as I walked through the front door. 

With the sandstone walls adorned with historic photos and artefacts, I immediately got a sense of the pub’s many centuries of existence. 

Upon entering my eyes were drawn to a collection of plate armour beside some of the tables - not the sort of thing you see in most pubs. 

I bought my drink and sat admiring the armour for a few minutes, before having a wander around the rest of the intriguing building. 

Regular customers may roll their eyes at this observation, but for me the pub’s sandstone interior particularly stood out and really added to the historic atmosphere.

As a first-time visitor, it was easy to imagine patrons from centuries gone by enjoying a drink after a long day of work. 

I couldn’t help but wonder what sorts of people had sat in my very seat over the past 830 years. 

After climbing a few stairs I arrived in the aptly-named Rock Lounge, which contained more interesting photographs and artefacts. 

Once again, the sandstone walls perfectly complement the unusual decor to create an olde-worlde feel. 

Before leaving I sat alone in the Rock Lounge for a few moments, with only a few murmurs of the ground floor bar area interrupting the quiet. 

This may have been my first visit to the Ye Olde Trip to Jerusalem, but I can safely say that it won’t be the last. 

For me, the pub almost acts as a time capsule - a carefully-preserved reminder of bygone eras.

More than eight centuries of customers may have been and gone, but their presence and influence can still be felt to this day.