Early Medieval period Although much of the city's historic centre is built on man-made caves, They consist of two levels of rock-cut cellars with stone-slab shelves used to keep food cool in the days before domestic refrigeration Crusading knights are said to have stopped for food at the alehouse on their way to the Holy Land. Borough records indicate the presence on the site of a hostel for travellers and journeymen in 1414
Modern period Extensions to the inn in 1966 included the hanging of a wrought-iron hand outside which was stolen that same night. The inn was featured along with its rivals Ye Olde Trip to Jerusalem and the Bell Inn in a 1998 episode of the
Channel 4 TV series History Hunters which used records, building architecture and timbers, and local legends to decide which was truly the oldest. The programme makers concluded that while The Sal had the oldest building and
Ye Olde Trip to Jerusalem had the oldest caves,
The Bell Inn was the oldest pub. ==See also==