ENGLAND’S OLDEST INN.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume XVI, Issue 938, 27 February 1908, Page 21

ENGLAND’S OLDEST INN.

Apropos of the discussion which bps been taking place as to which inn is really the oldest in England, it is interesting to note that there are two inns that claim* to have been built before the year 1500. Thes are the “ New ” Inn at Glastonbury, and the “ George ” in G’astonbury, Somerset, the former having as its date of erection 1465. Although these inns may have been built at those ear]y dates, it is very doubtful whether any of the original structures are left. Certainly there can be nothing in this way existing—excepting, of course, the foundations, which were standing before 1300. The real thing to solve is—is there any inn which is the same bui’ding as before 1400 or even 1450? There are doubtless many inns of 400 years ago—lsoo—and it seems likely that Manchester can claim the oldest—viz., the “Seven Stars” Inn. We wonder has this inn been rebuilt since 1356, or has the “ Saracen’s Head ” at Newmarket been rebuilt since 1341. If not, these two have a prior claim to all others as the oldest inns in England. In London, it is said, there is no inn old enough to be able to sav that Shakespeare supped there. '