Ferry Boat Inn, Thatched pub near River Great Ouse in Holywell-cum-Needingworth, England.
The Ferry Boat Inn features white stone walls, a thatched roof, and seven en-suite rooms along the banks of River Great Ouse.
Dating from 560 AD, the Ferry Boat Inn holds records as England's oldest pub and received Grade II listed building status for its architectural value.
Local stories tell of Juliet Tewsley's ghost, who died in 1050, appearing each March 17th near a stone slab marking her grave inside the pub.
The inn provides a restaurant serving traditional British meals, including Sunday roasts, with check-in starting at 2 PM and check-out by 11 AM.
The establishment maintains its original riverside location where boats once carried travelers across the Great Ouse before bridge construction.
Location: Holywell-cum-Needingworth
GPS coordinates: 52.31736,-0.03182
Latest update: March 13, 2025 11:41
English pubs exist not only in city centers but also in remote countryside locations, along coastlines, and in rural communities. Many of these establishments have operated for centuries, combining historic architecture with regional beer culture. The buildings range from medieval stone structures to Tudor timber frames, with some housed in former monasteries, ferry crossing inns, or mountain walking routes. Pubs in this group include The Old Ferry Boat Inn in Holywell, dating to the 11th century, and The Spaniards Inn in Hampstead, connected to literary figures and highwaymen. In Oxford, the Turf Tavern offers a hidden courtyard tucked behind medieval city walls, while The Eagle and Child became known as the meeting place for the Inklings writers' group. The Nutshell in Bury St Edmunds claims the title of Britain's smallest pub. Other locations include Ye Olde Trip to Jerusalem in Nottingham, built partly into caves beneath the castle, the 12th-century Skirrid Mountain Inn in Abergavenny, and The Pandora Inn on Restronguet Creek in Cornwall. Tan Hill Inn in North Yorkshire sits at 1,732 feet (528 meters) above sea level, making it England's highest pub.
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