Ye Olde Trip To Jerusalem, 1 Brewhouse Yard, NOTTINGHAM, NG1 6AD [Map]
0115 947 3171http://www.yeoldetriptojerusalem.com/ 
11-23 MO-SA; 12-22.30 SU
Real Fire, Beer Garden, Historic Interior, Lunchtime Meals, Quiet Bar, Rail Station Near Pub

Yare Valley Morris dancing in front of
the pub in February 1991

A classic pub that anyone with a half decent pub guide of the UK should include. Morris danced there in 1991 and popped in for a more relaxing drink twice during 1997 and then again in 1998. The back rooms of the pub (there's a downstairs bit and an upstairs bar) are cut into the sandstone rocks below Nottingham Castle. It is allegedly Britain's oldest pub dating back to 1189 AD. I can believe it too. Fairly recently they opened up a museum room which according to some local's wasn't there when they'd visited 5 years previously. I didn't remember the upstairs bar even being open when I visited in '91.

Anyway, on with the description. Great bar food with some unusual main courses. Food is only served until 6pm though which caught us out first time around. Even so, we had a chat with the friendly bar staff and they produced a couple of baguettes that they had left over. Great beer on offer from the local Hardy and Hanson brewery. Kimberley Best and Classic are perhaps two of the best beers that I've ever had. One of those places that you don't want to drive to because you'll be hard pushed to leave sober once you've tried the beer. Don't forget that if one of the beers tastes a little old downstairs, take a wander upstairs and purchase another from there as it tasted far better up there. If you've time, have a go at the Ring O' Bull game downstairs and notice how much the ring had eroded the rocks.

Me outside the pub in May 1997