40 Stonegate
City Centre
York
YO1 8AS
01904 623063
The splendid gallows sign spanning the street that displays the name of the Olde Starre in York quite likely appears in thousands of tourist photos (photo 1). The sign has straddled the street since 1733 and the twin spires on the west end of York Minster can be seen just above it.
Stonegate, the street where the pub is situated, dates from Roman times. It got its name in the 1100s when it was used to haul stone from a quay on the River Ouse to build York Minster.
The pub itself is down an alleyway off Stonegate in front of a small courtyard (photo 2). It’s an ancient pub with the main timber framed building dating back to the 1500s. It had a makeover around 1890 and wood panelling and benches from that refit are still in place. Also dating from the refit is the wonderful stained glass screen advertising the owners at the time, local brewers Brett Brothers (photo 3). The screen, which was created by JW Knowles & Co., shows that the pub’s name at the time was simply the Star Inn.
The Olde Starre is owned by Greene King and sells their beers plus a few guests, and meals are available all day. There is a weekly open mic session and occasional live acoustic music sessions on Sundays.
On a grimmer note, the pub is haunted by the screams of injured Civil War troops who had limbs amputated in the cellar after the Battle of Marston Moor in 1644.
