An interior detail of a bar area and fire place within a historic London public house.
An interior detail of a bar area and fire place at the Cheshire Cheese Public House, New Wine Court, Fleet Street, City of London. © Historic England, Photographer credit Derek Kendall
An interior detail of a bar area and fire place at the Cheshire Cheese Public House, New Wine Court, Fleet Street, City of London. © Historic England, Photographer credit Derek Kendall

England's Historic Pubs

Pull up a bar-stool or make yourself comfortable in your favourite 'snug' and explore our work on understanding, protecting and showcasing England's well-loved but vulnerable historic pubs. As well as us playing 'mine host', you can get involved in sharing your knowledge and photographs of listed pubs.

Listed pub highlights

Listing helps to protect historic pubs and acknowledges that they are an essential part of our common identity, helping to tell the country’s story. Below you can explore some of the extraordinary range of listed pubs that Historic England has celebrated over the years: 

Pubs listing upgrades

A gallery to mark the upgrading of listing for historic pubs in June 2022. 11 pubs have received listings updates and upgrades as part of a listing project to protect rare historic interiors.

Bar with tiled front and sign behind saying 'LUNCHEON BAR'. On a glass door and mirrored walls there's advertising for various drink brands. Period building with etched glass windows of the Prince Alfred pub on ground floor level and cast-iron lamp standards outside on the pavement. Barman smiling behind the bar, surrounded by decorative woodwork and glass features. Three-storey brick row of shops and a pub viewed across a road. Interior view of a tavern with a freestanding bench, table and chairs and imitation wood panelling. Leather bench seating and wall panels with mirrored surround and stained glass windows behind. Pub lounge, showing the fireplace, seating and settle bench which is glazed at the top. Portrait photo of two women standing in front of a wisteria-clad old pub building. Pub interior, showing bar, tiled floor and fireplace. A two-storey brick building, painted white with steep tiled roof covered in moss. Wooden settles and tiled flooring of a pub. Exterior view of The Red Lion pub with three doorways and windows all with ornate etched glass. Manager of a pub leaning against the bar with decorative etched glass mirrors along two walls. Large hearth with wooden settle on either side and terracotta and black chequered floor. Staff member descends a staircase, flanked by yellow tiled walls.

Explore our 'Top 50' map of Grade I listed pubs or former pubs and inns

This selection of our 'Top 50' Grade I listed buildings with present or past historic associations as pubs or inns includes some buildings that are no longer pubs or that are no longer open to the public.

What are your own favourite historic pubs in your area? We'd love you to contribute your knowledge and photographs of them by Enriching the List.

Our public house research

Historic England has carried out and commissioned research to help us understand the historic development of pubs in England. This has thrown new light on often vulnerable buildings that may be great typical, rare or previously overlooked examples of their kind.

Our 'pub-lications'

Enjoy our pub-related reading, discover the story of buildings for brewing and the social history of pub games. Dominoes anyone?

Quirky pub facts and fables

From striking modern designs or ornate Victorian gin palaces to reputedly haunted ancient inns, there is a world of fascinating pub facts and fables to explore through our blogs and features.

Also of interest

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