Britain's oldest pub, The George Inn, a historic 14th-century pub in Norton St Philip, Somerset. (William Dax via SWNS)
By Georgia Cook
The oldest pub in England has been named by experts - ending years of debate.
The George Inn can be proven to be the country's most ancient licensed pub, according to Historic England.
The pub in Norton St Philip in Somerset has been providing hospitality for more than 600 years.
Building archaeologist James Wright says many pubs claim the title of oldest - but that is often based on "myth".
He says by studying documents The George Inn can be proved to be the oldest continually licensed pub in England.
In a post on Historic England's Facebook page, Wright, standing outside The George Inn, said: "Most of what you've heard about the oldest pubs in England are myths.
The oldest purpose-built pub in England has been "scientifically proven" after years of debate. (William Dax via SWNS)
"There are many many claims to be the oldest pub in the country and yet so few of them actually have evidence to back up those claims.
"To get to the real evidence of these buildings we've to look at the fabric, and we've got to look at the story of the people who actually built them, and that all leads us to the village of Norton St Philip in Somerset.
"You are now looking at the oldest purpose built inn in England.
"The architectural history of The George Inn's stone and timber suggests that this building has been continuous service for over 600 years.
"The George Inn was set up in the 14th Century by the monks of nearby Hinton Priory and they did this as a savvy money-making exercise and we know this from the paperwork.
The George Inn, in the village of Norton St Phillip, Somerset, has been providing hospitality for more than 600 years. (William Dax via SWNS)
"The final piece of the puzzle at The George Inn is tree-ring dating and that helps us to try and understand scientifically exactly how old the timbers are.
"And because we know Medieval carpenters didn't mess around at all and they would fell the timber when it was green and build almost immediately afterwards, the actual date of felling gives us the near date of construction.
"And in terms of the timber work....we know that this dates from between 1430 and 1432.
"In history memories can fade and stories can be embellished, but the science pinpoints the archaeological development of the George Inn.
"We're not guessing at its age - now that's the difference between a local legend and a national treasure."
Historic England added to the post: "The dates painted on pub signs can be inaccurate, and when evidence is missing, imagination often fills the gaps.
(William Dax via SWNS)
"Building archaeologist Dr. James Wright believes the George Inn in Norton St Philip, Somerset, has the strongest claim to being England's earliest surviving purpose-built inn, an early type of public house.
"The George Inn - Norton St Philip was originally built in the late 14th century for the Carthusian monks of Hinton Priory to provide accommodation for merchants attending the monastery's markets and fairs.
"The inn's builders then added many structures in the 15th century, including the timber-framed front and roof, using timber felled between 1430 and 1432."
Medieval inns differed from alehouses, which served ale, and taverns, which served wine.
Inns offered a wider range of services, including accommodation, food, drink and facilities for travelers' horses and belongings.
Understanding the building's archaeology says the George was originally established by the Carthusian monks of Hinton Charterhouse to accommodate merchants.
The merchants were charged for overnight accommodation, storage for their goods, and tolls on sale, providing an income for the monastery.
The George Inn played an important part in the local economy's integral wool trade.