Britain’s oldest curry house, Michelin-starred Veeraswamy, is working on a plan to stay open after a judge put its legal battle with the Crown Estate on ice. The restaurant faces closure after the King’s property developer refused to renew its lease, but the legal proceedings have now been paused.
Legal Battle Paused
The dispute between Veeraswamy and the Crown Estate has been temporarily halted by a judge, giving the eatery a chance to continue its efforts to remain open. The restaurant, which has been a staple of British dining, is now looking to secure its future.
Britain’s Oldest Landmarks
In a celebration of longevity, here are some of the UK’s oldest everything. Britain’s oldest tree is the Fortingall Yew in Perthshire, thought to be between 2,000 and 3,000 years old, though some believe it could be up to 5,000. Its trunk measured 17 metres around in 1769.
Until recently, the oldest pop group was The Searchers, formed in 1959, who played Glastonbury for the first time last year. The Merseybeat four-piece disbanded soon after, after 68 years in the business.
Oldest Cinema, Pub, and More
The UK’s oldest cinema is the Duke of York’s Picturehouse in Brighton, opened in September 1910, known for the 20-foot can-can dancer legs on its roof. Britain’s oldest pub is often said to be Ye Olde Fighting Cocks in St Albans, claimed to date back to 793AD, but the title is disputed with The Bingley Arms and Ye Olde Trip To Jerusalem among the contenders.
Our oldest surviving road sign is a stone fingerpost near Chipping Campden in Gloucestershire, dating back to 1669, pointing towards Oxford, Warwick, Gloucester and Worcester. The UK’s oldest parish church is St Martin’s in Canterbury, built in 597AD or earlier, and includes the grave of Mary Tourtel, creator of Rupert Bear.
Oldest People and Institutions
Britain’s oldest woman is 116-year-old Ethel Caterham from Shipton Bellingham, Hampshire, also the world’s oldest verified living person. Our oldest man is Hugh Kerr, 110, from Paisley, Renfrewshire.
The oldest art is a series of 10 red horizontal stripes in the Bacon Hole cave in Gower, Swansea, painted around 17,100 years ago. The UK’s oldest football club is Sheffield FC, founded in 1857, which introduced features like free kicks and throw-ins. Britain’s oldest company is the Royal Mint, founded in 886AD, now based in Llantrisant, Wales, after moving to the Tower of London in 1279.
