Back in medieval times, a Tavern and an Inn were cousins, but not twins.

A tavern was where you went purely for a drink…ale, mead, wine…whatever the local brewer had bubbling away.

Taverns were lively places, filled with chatter, gossip, the odd bard, and sometimes troublemakers.

You might grab a bite to eat, maybe a hunk of bread or a meat pie, but they weren’t really about food or sleep.

Think of them as the medieval version of your local pub, where locals and travellers mingled just for the company and the ale.

An inn, on the other hand, was where you stayed the night!

These places offered lodging, a proper meal, and a stable for your horse.

Inns were usually found along busy roads or near town gates, perfect for traders or pilgrims on the move.

They served ale as well, but the focus was on food and a bed for the night…though you’d often be sharing that bed with fleas and, if you were unlucky, a stranger or two!

So, if you were out on the road, you’d likely stop at a Tavern to wet your throat, hear the latest rumours, then carry on to an Inn when the sun dipped down for a bit of rest.

One was for fun, the other for function.

So…now you know!