Time gents please: Incredible then and now pictures reveal how iconic British pubs have stood the test of time from Queen Elizabeth I favourite boozer to Dick Turpin’s hunting ground
Stunning photos have emerged of some of Britain's most historic pubs that have stood the test of time despite the closure of a record number of British drinking establishments.
Black and white images show the iconic pubs over the years, compared to what they look like today.
These include England's oldest inn, the country's most central pub and pubs frequented by Dick Turpin, Elizabeth I, Robert Burns and Robert Louis Stevenson.
The photos show how much appearance has hardly changed in recent decades, although horses and carts have been replaced by cars and motorcycles.
Among the pubs is The Ye Olde Trip to Jerusalem, in Nottingham, (pictured), which claims to be the oldest coaching inn in England
The inside of Ye Olde Trip to Jerusalem pub in Nottingham still retains much of its original character
Peveril of the Peak, in Manchester, has connections with a number of celebrities who have enjoyed drinks there, such as Oasis
Others show the taste of fashion in the 17th and 18th centuries, as well as the changing face of the surrounding shopping streets over the years.
Pubs include The Ye Olde Trip to Jerusalem, in Nottingham, which claims to be England's oldest coaching inn.
The building was erected in 1189, the year Richard the Lionheart became king, and rests against Castle Rock, on which Nottingham Castle was built.
It is believed that the name stems from the belief that pilgrims or crusaders would stop at the inn on their journey to Jerusalem.
Landlord Karl Gibson, who took over the pub in 2012, said: 'Having such a historic pub can work to your advantage, for one thing people are just intrigued by the strange name.
Historic photo recreated of The Sheep Heid Inn, Duddingston, Edinburgh
The Sheep Heid Inn, in Duddingston, Edinburgh, is reputed to be the oldest surviving public house in Scotland, founded in 1360
The Scottish pub has its own bowling alley that has been around since the early 20th century
'There is a sense of mystery to the place and when you walk into what is essentially a cave you see the look of surprise on people's faces every day.
'We have a very loyal group of regular customers who support us through thick and thin, but who are fortunate to have a large number of tourists.
'With both Nottingham Forest and Notts County doing well, we get a lot of football fans, visitors to the castle and also a lot of students.
'So it also comes down to the right position, but we are a very unique place, which obviously contributes to its appeal.'
Elsewhere in the Midlands, The Mug House in Claines, Worcester, is at least 900 years old and stands within the walls of a churchyard on consecrated ground.
Russell Allen is the landlord who has taken over the running of the pub, which has been in his family for 35 years after his mother died 18 months ago.
The Bingley Arms looks surprisingly unchanged since the 1930s, as seen in the recreated photo
The Queens Head, in Meriden, West Midlands, became a drinking house in the late 17th century and is possibly the most central pub in the country
Before and after photos show how much The King Charles House pub in Worcester has changed over the years. The entrance to the pub is to the right of the image, while former parts of the pub are now a hearing center and hairdressers
He said: “We believe we are one of only two pubs in the whole country to sit on consecrated ground.
'It's a fun pub to run and the community is fantastic, but the industry has become tougher, especially since Covid has changed drinking habits.
'People realized that supermarkets were cheaper and that pubs now have to be more dynamic to keep their customers.
'The increase in energy bills has also made it more difficult. Maintaining a listed building costs a lot, so that's a price to pay for having such a historic pub.
'Rates are skyrocketing at the moment so something needs to change within the industry as we could see more pubs closing.'
The Cridford Inn, in Newton Abbot, Devon, also claims to be one of England's oldest pubs, dating back to 825 AD.
The Old Crown is Birmingham's oldest pub, dating back to 1368 and still retains its black and white wooden frame
The Llandoger Trow, Bristol, can be seen with its original features, but the surroundings have changed
It had previously served as a nunnery and farm and was originally occupied by the early Celtic Britons before the building was renovated in the 14th century.
In 1086 it was one of nine small holdings mentioned in the Domesday Book.
The 13th-15th century stained glass window in the bar is possibly the oldest surviving example of a medieval house window in England.
North of the border, The Sheep Heid Inn, in Duddingston, Edinburgh, is reputed to be the oldest surviving public house in Scotland, founded in 1360.
The Castle Inn in Cambridge has been around since the 19th century and looks relatively unchanged
The pub looks remarkably similar to what it would have looked like in the Victorian era. The people who recreated the photo even donned similar outfits
During the Middle Ages, sheep were bred in nearby Holyrood Park and then brought to Duddingston for slaughter.
It is believed that many Duddingston residents have become experts in using the sheep's head in many different dishes and this is where the inn takes its name.
The pub has had a variety of high-profile customers over its long history, including the writer Robert Louis Stevenson, the poet Robert Burns and Queen Elizabeth II.
Bonnie Prince Charlie, as his army was stationed in Duddingston a month prior to the Battle of Prestonpans, is also another of the inn's famous patrons.
The Eagle in Cambridge remains unchanged. But the customers have completely different fashion styles in the photos
The Bear Inn, in Bisley, Gloucestershire, was originally a courthouse built in the late 16th century
Peveril of the Peak, in Manchester, has connections with a number of celebrities who have enjoyed drinks there, such as Oasis.
The building dates from the early 19th century, but the cladding was added in 1900.
The Queens Head, in Meriden, West Midlands, became a drinking house in the late 17th century and is possibly the most central pub in the country.
Rumor has it that highwayman Dick Turpin stopped at the corner of the pub and waited for coaches.
Ye Olde Cheshire Cheese in London looks almost identical in the before and after shots
The two photos show how little has changed in the pub, but the customers and staff are in completely different fashions
Landlady Caroline O'Neill, who has run the pub for 21 years, said: 'We have kept our pub very traditional and focused more on drinks than food.
“I think that worked to our advantage because there aren't that many pubs like that around these days. We have a wide selection of beers that people seem to love.
“I think keeping a historic pub traditional has kept our appeal.
“There are obviously a lot of challenges with the cost of living and everything going up, but we are doing well and we have a loyal group of regular customers.”
The Cridford Inn, in Newton Abbot, Devon, also claims to be possibly one of England's oldest pubs, dating back to 825 AD.
The Mug House in Claines, Worcester is at least 900 years old and stands within the walls of a churchyard on consecrated ground
The Old Crown is Birmingham's oldest pub, dating back to 1368 and still retains its black and white wooden frame.
Queen Elizabeth I is said to have stayed there in 1575 when traveling from Kenilworth Castle, sleeping in the gallery room above the main entrance.
The Bear Inn, in Bisley, Gloucestershire, was originally a courthouse, built in the late 16th century.
Prisoners were held in Bisley Lock on the other side of the road before being brought before magistrates to decide their fate.
Rumor has it that the wheel in the attic was used for the execution of prisoners.
The booming pubs are evidence that some are bucking the trend, amid record numbers of locals closing every month in Britain.
In England and Wales, almost 400 pubs closed for good in the first half of 2023, almost as many as in all of 2022.
Landlords say the success of their bars is down to loyal regulars and that they are changing with the times, but others warned they could face closure even without help.