nightlife

Ye Olde Fighting Cocks Public House

Is this the oldest pub in Britain? According to the Guiness Book of Records it is. Ye Olde Fighting Cocks on Abbey Mill Lane is recorded as being an 11th century structure on an 8th century site. This has enabled it to fend off challenges from Ye Olde Trip to Jerusalem (Nottingham), The Old Ferryboat Inn (Cambs) and Ye Olde Man and Scythe (Bolton). One thing's for sure, if you haven't got 'ye olde' in your pub name, don't even think about making a claim.

Located on the edge of Verulamium Park, the pub is family friendly and serves real ales and hot food daily.

Overview

Food/Drink Type:	Pub grub
Venue Type:	Pub / bar
Dates & Times:	Open Mon to Thur 11am-11.30pm, Fri & Sat 11am-midnight, Sun 12-11.30pm. Food served daily from 12-9.30pm.

Contact details

Business Name:Ye Olde Fighting Cocks
Address:16 Abbey Mill Lane
Town:St Albans
County:Herts
Postcode:AL3 4HE
Telephone:01727 869152
Email:info@yeoldefightingcocks.co.uk
Web:www.yeoldefightingcocks.co.uk
Map: View Map

Recent reviews

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Does the job, nothing more

Decent enough pub food, good portions and a more interesting menu than you might expect. Staff could be friendlier - and waiting 'til diners are ready to place their order to tell us about all the unavailable dishes isn't particularly helpful. You used to eat in the dining room bit, but now it seems that diners are mixed in with drinkers in the main section - luckily for us then that the place was absolutely dead when we arrived at 8pm on a Friday night. [Sep 10]

by Poodey

Good but not spectacular

You can't beat the setting, if you like incredibly old pubs with a real history, set in acres of park land. I do. The service was extremely friendly when we went there for a family Sunday lunch. While the food came promptly and tasted good - we all had roasts (big helpings) and tasty puds including a lovely Eton Mess - the drinks service was less good. The downsides for us? Drinks served slowly, slightly cloudy beer served in a slightly dirty glass (happily changed) and prices that are perhaps one or three quid over the norm for the type of fare. Well worth a visit though. [May 09]

by RnK

Fantastic food, atmosphere and service

On a Monday afternoon we decided to wear out the children by running around the lake and then let Daddy have a treat by going to a pub we haven't visited in ages. However a welcome suprise, the pub was a treat for the whole family. It was open and serving food after 2pm and the staff were very efficient and friendly. The children enjoyed being in the garden at the back.

The best bit of all was the food! The children had wonderful fish and chips, the fish had great flavour, was in a lovely light batter and accompanied by a wonderful sauce which kept us guessing what was in it. Nicholas said it was the best fish he had ever had and he is FUSSY. The parents had a 1/2 pint of prawns which were great and ordered some bread to go with it which also came with some dipping olive oil with a delicious balsamic dressing (?). For pudding the children enjoyed chocolate ice cream with chocolate pieces and the adults had a wonderful light bread and butter puddding with creme anglais and other delicious things including I think maple syrup.

Being on a tight budget we do not eat out often as I object to paying for 'adequate' food. This meal was delicious and what a great change to have good food for the children. Just as well that we don't live in St Albans as the budget would suffer from frequent visits although I thought the prices of such excellent food was very good value for money and satisfaction! [Apr 09]

by angela

Old pub likes young folk

I hate taking my son into pubs for food, but sometimes there's no other choice. When we arrived at Ye Olde Fighting Cocks the staff were very friendly and said it was no problem to bring him in. We went into the eating area and discovered we weren't the only ones - a fleet of muddy prams and buggies awaited us and made us feel a bit more at home. I had coriander and carrot soup with home-made bread which was delicious, while my wife had mushrooms on toast.

The pub is in a great location if you're out in nearby Verulamium Park and ideal for lunch. The one down side to it (for evening drinkers) would be the awful energy efficient lightbulbs everywhere. I'm all for saving the environment, but fluorescent light in a building which dates from the 8th century? Come on...

Great for lunch or a summer evening pint in the beer garden, Ye Olde Fighting Cocks is now under new management so look out for good things to come. [Feb 09]

by always about!

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