So – the truth of the matter. Everyone knows a pub with a weird story – a special glass, a ghost, a hidden door, a selection of books that, upon reading, disappear, an underground passage used by smugglers, a murderer or two. Oh, and about a hundred ‘oldest pubs in Britain’. From this, we can glean two things – firstly, the UK is a nation of wonderful pub lovers with a fancy for the weird, and secondly, there will never be a definitive list. NMTBP has compiled ours from a selection of pubs that we like, just in a weird way

The Signal Box Inn, Cleethorpes

The Signal Box Inn is fighting a battle to be the world’s smallest – a much-disputed title. Otherwise, really, you’ve just got a very small pub. It is actually so little its cellar is a protrusion from the side of the pub rather than below it. The pub is less than 6 sqm in area and, as the name suggests, was originally a signal box for the railway line. Despite its diminutive size, the pub still manages to keep a regular supply of interesting beers on hand

The Jorrocks, Derby

Once the most famous coaching inn in Derby, The Jorrocks has had plenty of ghosts reported. Workmen dug up a bashed-in female skull in a pit along with animal bones, leather and old shoes. The mystery deepens as the skull seems to be remarkably old. Some poltergeist activity has also been reported – when cellar extension works were complete, crockery was thrown around and smashed, buckets were thrown, pint pots lobbed around, and moans and groans were heard. Spine-tingling

The Luppitt Inn, Devon

One of the last in a dying tradition of British pubs, places like The Luppitt should be cherished and celebrated. This weensy pub is located in the front room of Mary Wright’s house. Mary was the sole server for years before she died in 2020 at age 102. The pub can take ten people at a push and serves only one beer from a local microbrewery, a small wooden bar and a few tables and chairs. The country used to be littered with pubs like these, essentially the front room of someone’s house – now, only a handful remain

Ye Olde Trip to Jerusalem, Nottingham

Reputed to be the oldest inn in England, dating back to 1189 AD, Ye Olde Trip to Jerusalem is steeped in history and legend. Carved into the rock beneath Nottingham Castle, this pub features labyrinthine cellars and rooms that once served as a resting place for crusaders. The pub is filled with curiosities, including the cursed galleon, a model ship said to bring death to anyone who cleans it. The blend of ancient history and eerie atmosphere makes it a must-visit for lovers of the macabre

The Haunch of Venison, Salisbury

When this 700-year-old pub was renovated 100 years ago, a gruesome discovery was made – the severed, mummified hand, understood to have been removed from a gambler who was caught cheating at whist. The hand is rumoured to be cursed and is kept locked in an old fireplace with some 18th century playing cards. Oddly, the pub and the hand recently rose to fame once more when the hand was stolen from its case by a very determined burglar – sleight of hand, some might say

The Old Forge, Inverie, Scotland

Claiming the title of the most remote pub in mainland Britain, The Old Forge is located in the tiny village of Inverie on the Knoydart Peninsula. Accessible only by an 18-mile hike over rough terrain or by a seven-mile boat trip across Loch Nevis, getting there is part of the adventure. The Old Forge offers a warm welcome, hearty food, and live music, often played by local musicians and visiting adventurers. The sense of isolation and the journey required to reach this pub make it a truly unique experience

The Marsden Grotto, South Shields, Tyne and Wear

The Marsden Grotto is carved into the cliffs overlooking Marsden Bay. Originally a smuggler’s cave, it was transformed into a pub in the late 18th century. Accessible by a lift that descends through the rock or a steep staircase carved into the cliff, The Marsden Grotto offers stunning views and a sense of adventure. The pub’s cave-like interior, adorned with maritime artifacts, adds to its mysterious allure

The Bounty, Bourne End, Buckinghamshire

Accessible only by boat or a riverside walk, The Bounty sits on the banks of the River Thames. This quirky pub embraces its nautical theme with vigor, offering a relaxed, offbeat vibe. Decorated with maritime memorabilia and serving up a mix of pub classics and seafood, The Bounty is a favorite among boaters and walkers. Its secluded location and unique character make it a hidden gem worth seeking out

The Well House, Exeter

Claiming to be one of the most haunted pubs in Britain (another hotly disputed title), taking a trip down to the cellar of The Well House will reveal some gh

oulish goings on – bones hanging on the wall. Originally thought to be the bones of a single individual, archaeological analysis has revealed that they b

elong to two people. This evidence seems to corroborate one of the city’s famous and tragic love stories – that of John the monk and Martha the nun, who ended their lives in unison to be together forever

The Red Lion, Avebury

The Red Lion is surrounded by Neolithic monuments and beautiful countryside. It’s in a unique spot in the centre of Avebury’s prehistoric stone circle, which is the largest in the world. It’s one of Britain’s most photographed pubs: picture-perfect, whitewashed and thatched. Dating back to the early 17th-century, the building was originally a farmhouse, then a coaching inn. It’s been voted as one of the world’s top ten most haunted pubs, with at least five resident ghosts, the most famous being Florrie, murdered by her cavalier husband when he returned from the Civil War and found her in the arms of her lover. The indoor well has been coverted into a spectacular tableat which she. It’s thought she’s responsible for throwing little things across the bar. Other ghosts include a horse and carriage that clatters across the courtyard

The Hatchet Inn, Bristol

The Hatchet is Bristol’s oldest pub, dating back to 1606. No ghosts lurk in its darkest corners, glasses don’t stick to walls; the pub isn’t in someone’s front room nor are there any body parts to speak of. Well…for the macabre among you, you may recognise the term anthropodermic bibliopegy – the term used to denote the binding of books in human skin. At the Hatchet, take a close look at the door – underneath the layers of paint and tar, rumour has it the entire door is bound in the stuff

Britain’s weirdest pubs offer more than just a pint; they provide a journey into the strange and wonderful. From gravity-defying architecture and remote wilderness retreats to haunted rooms and nautical hideaways, these pubs are destinations in their own right. Each one tells a story, inviting visitors to step into a world where the ordinary rules don’t apply, and where every sip of ale comes with a side of the extraordinary. So, the next time you fancy a drink, why not seek out one of these curious establishments and experience the delightful oddities of Britain’s pub scene?