York. Dates back to 1644, the year of the Siege of York by the Roundheads when it was first licensed as "The Starre" (it has the longest continuous license of any pub in York). "Old Star" symbolizes Charles I. The Roundheads used the 10th century cellar as a hospital and mortuary during the war. It originally existed at the rear of a busy coaching yard and was a posting house (a spot for changing coach horses). Of course like most old pubs in York it boasts a fair number of resident ghosts. A Royalist officer from 1644, an old lady, 2 black cats who were buried alive in a pillar near the bar (a strange custom at the time!), and apparently at times you can hear the blood curdling screams of injured and dying soldiers coming from the cellar. As times changed more buildings were added resulting in the long narrow passageway (known as a snickleway) that leads to a courtyard today. Inside there is beautiful dark wood and stained glass everywhere you turn and a nice brick enclosed beer garden in the back. It is a Greene King pub and they brew a best bitter for the pub. This is a must if you visit York.