It’s believed that The Porch House was established by the Saxon Duke of Cornwall, Athelmar, in 947 AD—with its timbers actually carbon back to that time. Claiming to be ‘England’s oldest inn’, over the years, it was a hospice, inn, hotel and pub, but aren’t these things all basically the same thing?
Stow-on-the-Wold, the highest town in the Cotswolds, where you can find The Porch House, is famed for its history. Located on the Fosse Way, where the Roman road meets many other ancient routes, it was originally an Iron Age fort (head to Well Lane to see for yourself). It would later mark the spot of the last battle of the English Civil War in 1646.
Today, the market town is best known for its antique shops and art galleries, traditional pubs and inns, and its beautiful bucolic surroundings—if you’ve ever visited the Cotswolds, you know what to expect. Uniquely, the north door of St. Edward’s Church, nicknamed Doors of Durin, has two yew trees grown into it and inspired J.R.R. Tolkien’s Moria entrance.
Elsewhere in Stow-on-the-Wold, make sure to check out the monthly farmer’s market on the second Thursday of each month for everything from jams to cheeses to meats and more. You can also find cafes (The Hive, Old Bakery Tearoom), a sandwich shop (Cotswold Baguettes), or a cheese shop (The Cotswold Cheese Company), open all year round for picnic bits.
Why visit The Porch House?
While no one can deny The Porch House’s old age, there’s a very modern touch to this traditional pub. Tuck into a menu boasting only British fare sourced from local producers—with the ability to enjoy it from the garden terrace, airy conservatory or the rustic restaurant itself.
You can also stay over in one of 13 unique bedrooms at England’s oldest inn. Being only a short drive away from landmarks like Blenheim Palace, Sudeley Castle, Broadway Tower, or other stunning towns like Cirencester, Bourton-on-the-Water, and Moreton-in-Marsh, it’s perfectly situated for your Cotswolds holiday.