Ye Olde Mitre isn’t just old—it’s ancient. It dates back to 1546, built for the servants of the Bishops of Ely. Imagine that: people were grabbing a drink here while Henry VIII was still alive. How wild is that?
The pub’s name comes from the mitre (the fancy hat) worn by bishops. The building itself leans a bit, like it’s tired from all those centuries of standing. You can almost hear the floorboards whispering stories of Tudor merchants and Victorian clerks who needed a quiet pint.
The ‘Bishop’s Finger’ Trick
Look closely at the corner of the pub, near the bar. There’s a small, crooked tree trunk sticking out of the wall. Locals call it the “Bishop’s Finger.” The legend says the Bishop of Ely let the pub use his land, but only if this ancient cherry tree stayed put. The tree is gone now, but that stump remains—a weird, woody handshake across history.
It’s like the pub is winking at you, saying, “I’ve got secrets, and I’m not telling you all of them.” You’ve got to respect that kind of mystery.
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