We really do have some very old pubs here in Manchester, but it’s not often we point out that Greater Manchester actually has one of the oldest pubs in the UK. Murky records and varying definitions mean there’s no true consensus on the crucial question: which is the oldest pub in the UK? But Ye Olde Man & Scythe in Bolton certainly puts up a good fight to prove that it is the oldest.
This watering hole sits pretty on Churchgate, right in the centre of Bolton, and is pretty characteristic of the area and the time it was said to have been built. Classic Medieval style beams adorn this creaky old building, as it was supposedly opened in the 1200s, and there’s a maintained coach house entrance where horses would’ve pulled passengers into the courtyard.
What does ‘Ye Olde Man & Scythe’ mean?
‘Ye Olde Man’ is pretty self explanatory, but a ‘Scythe’, for those unaware, is an agricultural tool used for harvesting crops, much like we see in depictions of the Grim Reaper. Although it would be easy to tie this in with the sinister history of the place, it’s more likely to do with the surrounding Bolton area having a deep connection to agriculture and farmland, much of which is still around today.
Said ‘Olde Man’ seems to keep watch from a painted portrait on the outside of the building, along with golden letters depicting 1251 as the pub’s inception, with it being rebuilt in 1636.
What is the history behind Ye Olde Man & Scythe?
Some of the history of Ye Olde Man & Scythe is also displayed proudly on its façade, reading “In this ancient hostelry James Stanley 7th Earl of Derby passed his last few hours of his life previous to his execution” – which, although perhaps a bit showy and indiscreet, really does tell us about the age of the place.
The pub’s Twitter bio proudly boasts that the first pint was served here in the 11th century, and its name is mentioned in a charter from 1251. Their Instagram bio even goes so far as to lay claim to being the oldest cider house (though they place themselves as merely the fourth-oldest pub in the UK).
Is Ye Olde Man & Scythe haunted?
What makes this place really fascinating is the ghost, said to be the spirit of James Stanley, Earl of Derby, who was executed outside the pub in 1651. Given the Earl’s tribute in gold on the face of the building, is it really a surprise he wants to stick around?
Ye Olde Man & Scythe‘s long, and blood-stained, history doesn’t stop there, however, and there are allegedly 25 spirits – at least! – haunting the place. And we’re not talking about their whiskey and gin selection…
Instagram post via @yeoldemanandscythe
What is it like as a modern pub?
Nowadays, the pub focuses on locally brewed, quality beer, plus plenty of craft and of course crisp cider, alongside lots of music and a great atmosphere. So, why not pay Ye Olde Man & Scythe a visit if you’re ever in the Bolton area, since it’s one of the oldest pubs in the UK?
📍 Ye Olde Man & Scythe, 6-8 Churchgate, Bolton BL1 1HL.
