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Ye Olde Fighting Cocks, St Albans Central, St. Albans
St. Albans
AL3 4HE
Reviews (Current Rating Average: 7½ of 10) see review guidelines
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Blackthorn _ left this review about Ye Olde Fighting Cocks
Reputedly the oldest pub in the country, I am sure that it is in fact one of many that has this particular claim to fame, but it is nonetheless a pleasant and traditional pub located just over the bridge from the Verulanium park and a stone’s throw from the cathedral.
Inside it consists of two main bars, although the irregular shape of the building and the consequent odd angles somehow make it feel more than this. The public bar has mostly maroon paintwork with a smaller raised section up a couple of steps being finished in lemon yellow. The lounge bar felt much cosier and had a low, beamed ceiling with some wood panelling on the walls, a large fire-place with a copper chimney hood and a small bread oven off to one side as well as a long copper bugle mounted on the wall above it. A piano was over in one corner, and there was another seating area down a few steps which was apparently the former cock fighting pit from which the pub takes it’s name (in fact there was even a stuffed cockerel in a glass case, although whether that was a victor or vanquished was not made clear).
Beers on this occasion were Ubu Purity, Rev James, Mad Squirrel Milk Stout, Harbour American Ale, Woodfordes Norfolk Champion, Hopback Summer Lightning, Robinsons Trooper and Glamorgan My Darlin’ Lemontime. Ciders meanwhile were Addlestones and Aspall’s Suffolk.
On 21st July 2015
- rating: 8
[User has posted 1948 recommendations about 1861 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Bucking Fastard left this review about Ye Olde Fighting Cocks
Well worth wandering around the interior with a very low ceiling and finding the lower snug which was the former cock pit.Maldenman has described the interior well,and I thought the real ale selection on my trip of Mad Squirrel Milk Stout(decent),Purity UBU,Brains Reverend James Gold,Harbour Brewing American Rye,Woodford's Norfolk,Hop Back Summer Lightening,Glamorgan My Darling Lemontime and Robinsons Trooper was both broad and interesting.
The side room had a darts board but an impossible throw if anyone was occupying a nearby table,but an open mic night indicates some community feel .Mindless muzak was the only fly in the ointment,I would happily use the pub again given the variety of real ale on offer.
On 19th July 2015
- rating: 7
[User has posted 2727 recommendations about 2727 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Malden man left this review about Ye Olde Fighting Cocks
The pub makes a strong claim to be the oldest in the country however although there has probably been a drinking house on site since the 8th century it is doubtful that any part of the current buildings are of that age. Old it is though and the gnarled timber beams and posts plus the inglenook fireplace are pleasing on the eye. The lower floored area is apparently the original cock-pit where the fighting would have taken place, now it is a pleasant carpeted room with a dartboard for today's sport.
Outdoor seating to the rear and front make this an enviable spot on a nice day especially with its location close to the park and lake.
Eight beers on, Glamorgan My Darlin' Lemontime, Harbour Brewing Co American Rye, Hop Back Summer Lightning, Mad Squirrel Milk Stout, Woodforde's Norfolk Champion, Robinson's Trooper, Purity Pure Ubu and Brain's Rev James Gold. A good line up and my Lemontime was first class.
I imagine this place to be a cosy spot in winter with a fire going, there are board games and the seating is conventional and rustic in style. I enjoyed it here.
On 18th July 2015
- rating: 7
[User has posted 1708 recommendations about 1681 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Steve of N21 left this review about Ye Olde Fighting Cocks
I used to frequent Ye Olde Fighting Cocks in my student days when it was more of a traditional pub aimed at drinking and wasn’t so food focussed. Had many a good evening spending the student grant in some real history. Who cares if it’s the oldest pub in Britain or not, when it’s a really good damn old pub.
But no surprise it’s had to move more towards being a restaurant, especially given its superb location at the end of Abbey Mill Lane beside the River Ver, just outside the perimeter of Verulamium Park, and not far from St Albans Cathedral in the oldest part of the city.
Fortunately it still retains a lot of the original features, low ceilings, an original bread-oven next to one of the fireplaces, and that strange shape.
Now most of the interior area has been given over to seating for dining, but there remains a small wood floored bar area to the right just for drinking. The couple of seats to the front of the pub and the large beer garden to the rear remains a very good spot for a pint during the summer months.
Four pumps in the bar area but the Harveys was off for my visit and the three left were hardly inspiring, but my pint of Doombar was perfectly fine.
Those that think this is a top pub should have seen it 30 years ago.
On 4th December 2012
- rating: 6
[User has posted 2110 recommendations about 1992 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
John Bonser left this review about Ye Olde Fighting Cocks
Visited in May 2010
Ye Olde Fighting Cocks somewhat dubiously lays claim to being the oldest pub in Britain. Reading the newspaper cuttings inside the pub, however, whilst we learn that there has been a pub here since the 8th century, the present building is mainly 16th century, having been largely rebuilt in 1600 following floods in 1599. The pigeon house that forms the basic central framework of the pub dates back to the 14th century.
We also learn that Oliver Cromwell probably spent a night here during The Civil War, stabling his horse in the bar area. In my usual cynical manner, I was half expecting to read the usual ghost stories ( strange apparitions seen, cutlery rattling, furniture mysteriously moving etc ) - but I must have missed them.
Whatever the whys and wherefores of the pub's age, it's an attractive looking building situated in a pleasant location on the edge of Verulamium Park and a large lake. As rather worn and faded pub signs outside indicate, it's starting to look slightly neglected in parts. The interior is the usual mixture of pillars, low beams and oldish furniture and, apart from a lighter modernised area near the bar, quite attractive and traditional looking.
Perhaps not surprisingly, it's principally a food orientated operation with an emphasis on families and a standard pubco menu is offered. The inevitable noisy kids and large pushchairs were much in evidence.
On my Saturday afternoon visit, beers on were Harveys Best, Doom Bar, Landlord and Abbott. The Harveys was perhaps cheaper than I might have expected at £ 3.00p, but was distinctly below average and I had to ask for a top up.
If you're a first time visitor to St Albans pubs, you'll probably want to include this one and I'm not going to attempt to discourage you, but be aware that there are attractive alternatives close by.
On 21st October 2010
- rating: 6
[User has posted 560 recommendations about 560 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Roger Button left this review about Ye Olde Fighting Cocks
Ye Olde Fighting Cocks is one of the claimants to the throne of Britain’s oldest pub. There has apparently been a pub here since the 8th century but reading between the lines on the various snippets and newspaper cuttings, there is little visible evidence that can be traced before the 14th century with much of the place being add-ons up to the 19th century. Nevertheless it is a hugely attractive building with many fine features. The centerpiece of the rambling interior is a 14th century octagonal pigeon house that was relocated to this site in the 16th century and has been amalgamated into the basic central framework of the pub. There are plenty of screened of areas and a sunken section in one corner that was the original cockpit from which the pub name derives. There are handsome fireplaces, old settles, stuffed animals and plenty of wonky pillars and low beams that have claimed many a 6 footer. Tunnels that apparently date back to the 8th century lead from the pub’s cellar to the nearby cathedral and are the source of the pub’s claim which is good enough for the Guinness Book of Records but a bit thin for my own interpretation. The beer selection was OK with a selection of fairly common but above average ales including Doom Bar, Harvey’s, Landlord and Abbott. For prime time Saturday night the place was hardly heaving which I gather is partly due to having a mixed reputation for food and service and the proximity of so many good pubs in the area. I didn’t eat hereso am unable to comment on that aspect but the service was fine although I would expect it be when the place is virtually empty. Personally I’m a sucker for historic buildings and found the place quite fascinating despite the spurious claims.
On 22nd March 2010
- rating: 7
[User has posted 1239 recommendations about 1233 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Mark Castro-Garcia left this review about Ye Olde Fighting Cocks
Beautiful interior, very good service, a lovely walk down from the Cathedral, past the park, down to the lake
Was serving Timothy Taylor Landlord, Abbot Ale, and Harvey's Sussex Best Bitter. Food was good too
It is reported to be England's oldest pub and currently holds the official Guinness Book of Records title. And reputed to have accomodated Oliver Cromwell during the Civil War
On 15th September 2009
- rating: 10
[User has posted 22 recommendations about 22 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
john mcgraw left this review about Ye Olde Fighting Cocks
Multi-roomed pub down by the river not far from the abbey. Bit of a tourist trap hence the high prices. 3 real ales on tap with Black Sheep in very good form.
On 14th March 2007
- rating: 6
[User has posted 2044 recommendations about 2025 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Emma McMillan left this review about Ye Olde Fighting Cocks
Brilliant pub really olde worlde something for every one and its right next to a huge park and river couples can have romantic peace by the river familys can meet up and feed the ducks and the kids play nice together really good pub how pubs should be
On 9th August 2006
- rating: 10
[User has posted 5 recommendations about 5 pubs]