Ye Olde Trip Brewery Caves

The Trip to Jerusalem claims to be England's oldest pub (open from 1189), and its caves served as medieval breweries and storage for the Crown. A brisk 30-minute tour descends into sandstone vaults where beer fermented in naturally cool conditions and where medieval tax records were carved into walls. This is less geological education and more distinctive history walk, suited to visitors who want their tour paired with a pint. Best for pub visitors and those wanting a quick cave experience. This is a easy activity lasting 30 minutes. Group size: 2-20. You meet at Trip to Jerusalem pub bar. Key highlights: Medieval sandstone brewery chambers with original barrel-storage features, Carved tax records and graffiti dating back centuries, Pub setting combines cave history with traditional English drinking experience.

Price: £10

Duration: 30 minutes

Difficulty: easy

Group size: 2-20

Minimum age: all ages (supervised children)

Best for: pub visitors and those wanting a quick cave experience

Best time: Afternoon lull (2pm-4pm) for smaller tour groups. Evenings busier with drinkers. Weekday tours tend to run faster. Thursday-Saturday evenings get crowded; book morning slots for focus-heavy experience.

Meeting point: Trip to Jerusalem pub bar

Languages: English

Here is how the experience unfolds:

0-5 min Group assembly at pub bar - Meet near the bar, order your mandatory drink (soft drinks available), and guides brief the group on medieval pub operations and brewing techniques.

5-10 min Descent into upper brewery caves - Walk down narrow stone stairs carved into sandstone, explaining how medieval landlords utilized natural caves as cold-storage for fermentation.

10-22 min Brewery chambers and storage vaults - Explore interconnected chambers showing barrel racks, carved ledges for storage, and medieval graffiti. Guides discuss brewing processes and the tax records carved into walls.

22-27 min Medieval fortifications and Crown connections - Learn about the caves' role as Crown property and possible use during civil unrest for storing military supplies.

27-30 min Return to pub and free exploration - Guided portion ends; you can enjoy your drink at leisure in the pub's various levels and medieval nooks.

The whole experience takes 30 minutes. Difficulty: easy. You meet at Trip to Jerusalem pub bar.

• Medieval sandstone brewery chambers with original barrel-storage features
• Carved tax records and graffiti dating back centuries
• Pub setting combines cave history with traditional English drinking experience
• Quick 30-minute tour suitable for lunch-hour visitors
• Claim of England's oldest pub adds narrative appeal to the visit

What is included: Guided cave tour (30 minutes), Access to cave chambers beneath the pub, Pub access for before/after visit.

Not included: Mandatory drink purchase (separate £5-12 cost), Food, Extended pub access included; you pay per drink. You will need to arrange these yourself.

What to bring: Comfortable shoes for stone stairs, Light jacket (caves cool but not as cold as City of Caves), Appetite or thirst for pub experience. Having these with you makes the experience smoother.

Best time to go: Afternoon lull (2pm-4pm) for smaller tour groups. Evenings busier with drinkers. Weekday tours tend to run faster. Thursday-Saturday evenings get crowded; book morning slots for focus-heavy experience..

Tip: Must purchase drink to access

Tip: Tours run hourly during opening times

Accessibility: Limited accessibility. Steep narrow stone stairs descend to caves; no handrails on some sections. Not suitable for wheelchairs or severe mobility limitations. Pub bar and upper levels have good access if only wanting to drink without caving..

Operator: Trip to Jerusalem Pub | Book directly (opens in new tab) | Phone: +44 115 947 3171

After this activity, these are within easy reach:

• Nottingham Castle (5 min walk)
• Lace Market (6 min walk)
• National Justice Museum (8 min walk)

This activity is run by Trip to Jerusalem Pub.

Book directly at their website (opens in new tab).

Cancellation policy: No formal cancellation policy; tours run hourly and accept walk-ins. Group bookings (8+) should contact pub in advance for coordination..

Accessibility: Limited accessibility. Steep narrow stone stairs descend to caves; no handrails on some sections. Not suitable for wheelchairs or severe mobility limitations. Pub bar and upper levels have good access if only wanting to drink without caving..

Best time to go: Afternoon lull (2pm-4pm) for smaller tour groups. Evenings busier with drinkers. Weekday tours tend to run faster. Thursday-Saturday evenings get crowded; book morning slots for focus-heavy experience..

Do I have to buy an alcoholic drink to access the Trip to Jerusalem caves?

Technically no - soft drinks, coffee, and non-alcoholic beverages count as mandatory purchases (£4-8). The pub requires drink purchase as part of cave access; it's a commercial bar venue, not a tourist facility. Budget this cost separately from the £10 cave fee.

How old is the Trip to Jerusalem and are its '1189' claims accurate?

The pub claims 1189 opening, though historical verification is contested; building records confirm medieval occupation and brewery use. The caves themselves are genuinely medieval sandstone with real brewing features. Visit for authentic brewery history and distinctive medieval setting, not to verify precise opening dates.

Is the 30-minute Trip to Jerusalem cave tour worth doing after City of Caves?

Yes, if you want brewery-specific history and distinctive pub experience. Caves are shorter and less educationally intensive than City of Caves' geological focus. It's better as a standalone quick tour or combined with pub-crawling than as deeper educational experience after longer cave tours.