Somerset's George Inn, built by monks as a money-making venture, is named England's oldest pub by Historic England

Tree-ring dating shows wood in the frames of The George Inn at Norton St Philip dates from between 1430 and 1432. Buildings archaeologist Dr James Wright says rival claimants in Nottingham, St Albans and Lincolnshire rely on myth rather than evidence. Samuel Pepys called the inn 'a very old house' in 1668. After the Monmouth Rebellion, 'hanging judge' George Jeffreys turned it into a courtroom.

Carthusian monks of Hinton Priory built it to house merchants visiting their fairs.

Wright: 'That's the difference between a local legend and a national treasure.'

The Grade I listed inn was a filming location for Martin Clunes comedy 'Mother's Pride'.