Pubs are an inherent part of British culture. You?ll find them everywhere, from major cities to small hamlets in the Lake District. In reality, you?re never really too far from a pub in Britain, as their popularity in our culture has made them commonplace. Once known as public houses, pubs have since branched out into gastronomic experiences, but some have kept their origins at the helm. Along with The Seaton Lane Inn, the perfect place for Sunday lunch in Durham, we?ve put together a timeline of the humble British pub, exploring its journey across time.
A pint with the Ancient Romans and beyond
The origins of the great British pub are recorded as being anything but British ? in fact, the pubs that we know and love started out as Italian wine bars as long as 2,000 years ago. An invading Roman army took a refreshment break from constructing the first Roman roads, bringing their namesake to towns and pubs which, in their original format, were wine shops known as ?tabernae?. These were placed strategically to offer working soldiers a chance to quench their thirst. The Romans soon caught on to the popularity of ale and it began flowing freely ? much to the local?s delight ? and the name of these spots was adapted to ?tavern?. These original taverns saw every kind of invader, from Saxons to Jutes and Angles, and Scandinavian Vikings. These houses fed and watered their patrons and inns began to offer a good night?s rest for tiresome travelers, merchants and court officials. In h...