The Old Ferry Boat Inn

Having been built in Anglo-Saxon times, The Old Ferry Boat Inn -near St Ives- has a very strong claim to be the oldest inn in England. It seems that liquor was first retailed here as early as 560 A.D. I knew retailers live long!

Legend has it that a young girl committed suicide near the cross-roads close to the ferry crossing of the river Ouse in the time of Edward the Confessor. Sometime between 1050-1078. The story runs that she hanged herself having been jilted in love by the local woodcutter, and was thus buried on the banks of the Ouse at the ferry crossing point. It is claimed the Old Ferry Boat Inn public house was built on top of her grave. A stone slab can be found within the pub, set into the floor near the bar area.


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Published:
19.08.08 / 3pm
Category:
places