VIEWERS of new Martin Clunes drama Out There on ITV have noticed that alongside The Sugar Loaf mountain and the village of Llangattock, Wales’ ‘oldest pub’ the Skirrid Inn has made a surprise appearance more than once.

The Monmouthshire hostelry at Llanvihangel Crucorney made its debut in a scene in episode one where Clunes’ character takes his son for a swift pint and gets a chance to once again shoot the breeze in a Welsh accent that has divided viewers.

Some have branded Clunes’ take on the accent “a massive insult” and others have just called it “cringey!’

Either way you slice and dice it, he’s having a go. And it was nice to see an iconic local boozer feature on prime-time TV.

Standing in the shadow of its namesake, the Skirrid Inn has been quenching the thirst of eager punters for many a moon.

It is reputedly over 900 years old and it boasts an old-world authenticity and history in every dark nook and cranny.

It also contains rope marks from the numerous public executions that used to take place there!

Back in the days when justice came in the form of a rope, the Inn was used as both a courtroom and place of execution.

Legend has it that the notorious ‘Bloody’ Judge Jefferies presided over proceedings and condemned prisoners to the hangman’s noose for such petty crimes as sheep rustling.

A curious soul can still observe the rope marks on the oak beam above the pub’s staircase where more than 180 poor felons danced the hangman’s jig before they shuffled off this mortal coil.

Local legend has it that some of the hanging judge’s victims are still rumoured to stalk the inn in search of retribution.

As for ‘Bloody’ Judge Jefferies, it’s said he too still roams the inn’s upper floors looking to assuage his terrible appetite by condemning even more souls to swing.

On a brighter note, although it’s said to be something of a goldmine of paranormal activity, not all of the spirits who ply their trade at the Skirrid are malevolent.

Fanny Price, for example, is said to be a friendly sort. Old Fanny used to serve pints at the Skirrid back in the 18th Century but sadly died of consumption aged 35.

She is said to be still lurking within the confines of the Skirrid Inn alongside Father Henry Vaughn and a strange perfumed apparition called the White Lady.

As well as being soaked in superstition the Skirrid is shrouded with layers of colorful historical fact.

During the Welsh revolt against the rule of Henry IV of England, Owain Glyndŵr was set to rally his troops outside the inn before leading them on a raid of nearby settlements that were sympathetic to the English.

Wounded and dying soldiers fighting under Glyndŵr’s flag were also said to have found sanctuary at the Skirrid.

If you visit the Skirrid Inn you’ll be in grand company.

The Great Bard William Shakespeare reputedly once supped a tankard of something refreshing here, alongside kings from all over England and Wales.

We can now add Martin Clunes to that long list of notables. Can’t we boyo!