The Oldest Pubs in Durham

A cathedral city eight centuries old is bound to have a good stock of historic pubs, and Durham does not disappoint. From a fifteenth-century inn on Old Elvet to a tavern reputed to be the most haunted in the city, its old pubs are living history as much as places to drink. Here is our tour of the oldest and most characterful pubs in Durham.

The Dun Cow

Widely regarded as the oldest pub in the city, The Dun Cow on Old Elvet is a Grade II listed building with parts dating back to the fifteenth century. Its whitewashed frontage and narrow, cosy rooms are a Durham landmark, and it takes its name from the legend of the monks who founded the cathedral, following a milkmaid's dun cow to the site of St Cuthbert's resting place. It is a proper traditional pub, all real ale and conversation.

Best for: Best for a pint in what may be Durham's oldest pub.

The Shakespeare Tavern

Tiny, dark and dripping with atmosphere, the Shakespeare Tavern on Saddler Street occupies a centuries-old building and is famous as Durham's most haunted pub. Once a haunt of nineteenth-century theatre actors, which gave it its name, it is now a favourite for those who like their pubs full of history and ghost stories, with well-kept ales in snug little rooms. It is moments from the cathedral, so easy to fit into a wander.

Best for: Best for old-Durham character and a ghost story or two.

The Victoria Inn

A different kind of history, The Victoria Inn near the cathedral was built in 1899 and has remained almost completely unchanged ever since, a genuine Victorian time capsule of a pub. Grade II listed and family-run, its little rooms, open fires and unspoilt period fittings have earned it a national reputation among lovers of traditional pubs, and it serves an excellent range of local ales.

Best for: Best for a beautifully preserved Victorian pub interior.

Ye Old Elm Tree

One of the city's oldest inns, Ye Old Elm Tree sits just up from the Market Place with traditional beams, flagstone floors and a warm, snug bar. It is a firmly local, dog-friendly pub with plenty of character, and a favourite for a relaxed pint away from the busier centre.

Best for: Best for a cosy, traditional local with real history.

Market Tavern

On the Market Place itself, the Market Tavern is not just old but historically significant: it was here, in 1871, that the Durham Miners' Association is said to have been founded, tying the pub directly to the county's mining heritage and the Miners' Gala that still fills the city each July. Today it is a friendly, central pub, a fitting place to raise a glass to Durham's past.

Best for: Best for a pint steeped in Durham's mining history.

Drinking in Durham's history

Between them, these pubs span some six hundred years of Durham life, from medieval inns to a Victorian gem, and all are within a short walk of one another around the peninsula. Opening hours vary, and the smaller pubs in particular can fill up in the evenings, so it is worth checking ahead if you are planning a historic pub crawl.

---

Know a historic Durham pub we should add? Get in touch.