History

- The Haunch of Venison is one of the regions oldest hostelries and the first record is circa 1320 when the building was used to house craftsmen working on the Cathedral spire. - Under the fireplace there is a former bread oven now with secure iron gate across it beyond which is a smoke preserved mummified hand. It is believed to be from an 18th century demented whist player who lost it in a card game due cheating. The hand has been stolen few times, but now it is securely locked. When the heating system was changed in the Choristers part of the Cathedral the marble tiles were used in the bar to create the unique floor. - The "Horsebox" bar at the front on the right hand side on a ground floor is referred as a "Ladies Snug" dating back to the times where public houses were for men only. The paneled bar counter has a pewter top which is one of a six in the entire country and there is a rare wooden carved elevated arch with seven origin gravity-fed spirit taps fitted in 1909. According to CAMRA there are only five of them left in the United Kingdom. There are no dispensers on the counter and hand pumps are affixed to the bar back-fitting, which also has drawers - very rare as well. The "Horsebox" was reputedly used by Winston Churchill and Dwight Eisenhower during the planning of D-Day landings back in 1944.