British pubs are not just watering holes but vaults of secrets and stories. But which of these tales are just frothy myths, and which ones ring true?
1. The Screaming Skull of The Ram Inn, Gloucestershire
The Ram Inn is notorious for its “screaming skull” that reportedly causes chaos if moved from its perch. Locals and visitors alike whisper of unexplained noises and eerie feelings when the skull is not in its rightful place.
2. The Highwayman’s Hideout at The Spaniards Inn, London
The Spaniards Inn in Hampstead is said to have been the hideout of the infamous highwayman Dick Turpin. It’s believed he planned his robberies here, and some say you might still encounter his ghostly figure lurking around.
3. The Witch’s Curse of The Fighting Cocks, St. Albans
England’s oldest pub, The Fighting Cocks, carries legends of a witch cursed by locals and now haunts the premises. Whether it’s creaking floors or sudden chills, patrons can feel her presence.
4. The Royalist Rebels of The Royal Standard of England, Buckinghamshire
Claiming to be the oldest freehouse in England, The Royal Standard of England supposedly played host to royalist forces during the Civil War. Legends of secret meetings and hidden escape routes through the cellars persist today.
5. The Landlord’s Watchful Eye at The Skirrid Mountain Inn, Wales
This ancient pub uses its grim history of serving as a courtroom where capital punishment was delivered right at the bar. It’s said that the ghost of the hanging judge, as well as those he sentenced, still frequents the inn.
6. The Hidden Tunnels of Ye Olde Salutation Inn, Nottingham
Tales of tunnels leading from the cellar of Ye Olde Salutation Inn, used for smuggling and as air raid shelters, are well known locally. These tunnels hint at Nottingham’s layered history, from medieval times to World War II.
7. The Cursed Tree of The Punch Bowl, Lancashire
A tree growing through the middle of The Punch Bowl in Lancashire is subject to a local legend saying that harm will come to anyone who tries to cut it down. So far, no one has dared to test the myth.
8. Shakespeare’s Stomping Ground at The Mermaid Inn, East Sussex
The Mermaid Inn, rebuilt in 1420, boasts of hosting none other than William Shakespeare. The bard is said to have performed here, and some believe his spirit still appreciates a good performance in the pub.
9. The Pirate’s Gold of The Jamaica Inn, Cornwall
Made famous by Daphne du Maurier’s novel, The Jamaica Inn was once a smuggler’s haven. Rumors of hidden pirate gold still circulate, thrilling treasure hunters and ghost hunters alike.
10. The Chained Oak of The Chained Oak Ale House, Staffordshire
The pub near the chained oak from the local legend that inspired the Alton Towers ride, Hex, feeds into the eerie story of an old curse placed on an earl’s family, leading to the chaining of a menacing tree.
11. The Lost Bride of The Grenadier, London
Hidden away in Belgravia, The Grenadier has a sad tale of a young bride who supposedly wanders the pub, still in her wedding dress, mourning her tragic, untimely death.
12. The Drunken Rat at The Rat Inn, Northumberland
Local lore claims that The Rat Inn is named after a particularly large rat that frequented the pub, becoming as much a fixture as its human patrons.
13. The Poet’s Corner at The Eagle and Child, Oxford
Famed as the meeting place of the Inklings, including C.S. Lewis and J.R.R. Tolkien, The Eagle and Child in Oxford is a literary pilgrimage site where discussions on Narnia and Middle-earth once filled the air.
14. The Ghostly March at The Golden Fleece, York
Considered one of the most haunted pubs in England, The Golden Fleece’s history of ghost sightings includes a Roman legion marching through the cellar.
15. The Secret Ale of The Prospect of Whitby, London
Dating back to 1520, The Prospect of Whitby in London boasts a secret ale recipe rumored to have been a favourite among smugglers and pirates who frequented its shores.
Final Pour
These tales blend history with mystery, turning an ordinary night out into an exploration of the past. So next time you visit one of these pubs, listen closely—every creak and whisper tells a story.
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