Ye Olde Trip to Jerusalem

Castle Rock, upon which stands Nottingham Castle, is riddled by caves and passageways cut into the sandstone. The builders of this unusual pub made the most of this, incorporating some of the caves into the design of the inn, one of Britain's oldest, founded in 1189AD. The name recalls that soldiers, clergy and penitents gathered here before embarking on the Crusade to the Holy Land - doubtless they drank to their quest at the castle's beerhouse before their trip to Jerusalem. Centuries of service and piecemeal renovations over the years give the Trip instant appeal, from the magpie collection of furnishings in the warren of rooms to the unique Rock Lounge (look for the Ring the Bull game), spooky alcoves (several ghosts here) and quirks such as the cursed galleon and the fertility chair. Beers from the Nottingham Brewery feature strongly, accompanying a reliable menu of old favourites (sausage and mash, steak and ale pie) and innovative new bites (cauliflower and cheddar cheese tart). There is a beer festival two or three times a year.