Ye Olde Good Inn Guide, published by The History Press, includes The Bear Inn, Oxford, which claims to be one of the oldest public houses in England, dating back to 1242.
The Bear’s circa-17th century incarnation stands in Alfred Street, and generations of residents and tourists have sacrificed their neck-wear for a drink.
John Chipperfield, who compiles the Oxford Mail’s Memory Lane feature, said: “The practice of taking ties began in 1954 by the then landlord (and former Oxford Mail cartoonist) Alan Course.
Judy Dewey, curator of Wallingford Museum, said: “On March 3, 1626, a man called John Hobson was stabbed to death during a fight at a pub, probably the George & Dragon.
“Hobson’s fiancée was so distraught that she locked herself in an upstairs room and painted markings on the walls with her tears mixed with soot from the fire.
“She died of grief, but the room became known as the Teardrop Room, as the marks are still visible, and her ghost has also been seen.”
Local stories also say the notorious highwayman Dick Turpin stayed at the George & Dragon, but Mrs Dewey said they are likely just legend.
She said: “The George has a very interesting history and hopefully its place in this book will encourage more people to come to Wallingford and visit the museum, where a lot more fascinating information on the town can be found.”
Also featured in the book, by authors James Moore and Paul Nero, are Ye Olde Reindeer Inn in Banbury and The George in Dorchester-on-Thames, which dates from 1495.
Source: Oxford Mail
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