Nottingham's Tourism Superstar at Ye Olde Trip To Jerusalem

(This blog is part one of two. To discover more about the history of Ye Olde Trip To Jerusalem, keep a watch next week for an exclusive interview with Karl!) Its always great to take a moment to celebrate those who keep our city interesting and unique, and so we are thrilled to announce that a dedicated Nottingham local has been once again shortlisted for the Visit England Tourism Superstar Awards.

Karl Gibson, landlord of the much loved Ye Olde Trip To Jerusalem, is contending with tourism stars from nine other cities. Each year the award, which is chosen through a public vote, recognises one passionate individual dedicated to giving tourists in their area special and unforgettable experience during their visits.

The latest of Ye Olde Trip’s mere thirty landlords in the past 230 years, it’s not just pulling pints and paperwork for this pub proprietor. For the past four years Karl has cheerfully welcomed visitors, providing tours of the cellars and caves and sharing the fascinating history of the pub and surrounding area. With almost a thousand years of history within its walls The Trip (as it is affectionately known by locals) certainly has some tales to tell, and Karl knows them all.    

The enduring existence of the pub is owed to it's truly unique position in the city. Situated at the foot of Nottingham Castle and nestled in the sandstone cliff rock, The Trip is thought to be the oldest tavern in Britain.

A well-known pit stop for crusader knights, it is said that King Richard the Lionheart and his men are more than likely to have gathered at this historic royal dwelling before journeying to Jerusalem in 1189AD, thus giving the pub its unusual name.

The caves, once used as the Castle’s own brewery, are part of a labyrinth of over 500 subterranean tunnels which snake under Nottingham's streets. Due to their cool and constant temperature, Nottingham caves have been famed for centuries for their excellent conditions to brew and store ale, and The Trip has thoroughly preserved this history. After exploring the cellars you can learn about the brewing process and medieval pub traditions such as ‘ringing the bull’, making Karl’s tour a fascinating expedition indeed.

But it's not just the subterranean stories that make the pub an extraordinary place to visit. Several of the rooms are in fact caves themselves, carved into the cliff face centuries ago to create cosy drinking alcoves. Various curious relics which festoon the walls also have legends surrounding them; The Cursed Galleon – a model ship smothered in a veil of dust - has been linked to a number of mysterious deaths when it has been cleaned in the past - and a beautiful antique chair is said to increase chances of pregnancy for any woman who takes a seat in it. Descending into the caves the stories become a little more grim, with an underground cockfighting pit and a tiny prison cell which was part of the Castle’s gaol. Today the inn remains a traditional English pub and hosts a fantastic selection of Nottingham’s finest local ales. Whether you've come along to relax in the peaceful garden with a refreshing pint, or explore the stunning history of the Castle Rock, we'd highly recommend witnessing a wealth of Nottingham's history with the cellar tours.   If you commend Karl’s dedication to keeping a fascinating history alive, or if you think Ye Trip To Jerusalem is a truly legendary Nottingham pub, then make sure to spread the word! Get your vote in at The Daily Mirror website and share far and wide to get this local chap to the top as he deserves. The winner will be announced during English Tourism Week (25^th March – 2^nd April) but voting is now open.