Ye Olde Starre Inne

You're walking down Stonegate when you spot the weathered sign swinging above a doorway that's been welcoming drinkers since 1644. Step inside and you'll find yourself in York's oldest licensed pub, where the low beams and flagstone floors aren't just for show – they're the real deal. The Greene King ownership might make purists wince, but the Starre does traditional pub life properly. You'll find locals propping up the bar alongside tourists clutching their cameras, all united by decent pints and the kind of atmosphere you can't manufacture. The courtyard out back is brilliant on sunny afternoons, though the interior's cosy nooks are where this place really shines. Yes, it trades on its age, but unlike some of the more touristy spots around the Minster, this feels like an actual pub that happens to be historic rather than a museum that serves beer.