TOM PARKER BOWLES: The 50 cosiest pubs in Britain
From breathtaking riverside views to a roaring hearth in winter and – after all – a high quality choice of native ales on faucet, there may be nothing fairly as comforting as a comfy British pub.
You journal’s restaurant critic Tom Parker Bowles has chosen his fifty favourites throughout the nation from the Scottish Highlands to Cornwall.
Read on to see his picks, and his favorite dish at each.
LONDON & SOUTH EAST
1. The Dove
Hammersmith, London
This riverside magnificence is in Guinness World Records for having the smallest bar room on the earth. It’s a Fuller’s pub, so has the standard well-kept Pride and ESB on faucet, and respectable meals too.
19 Upper Mall, Hammersmith, London W6
What I’m consuming: Caramelised shallot and thyme tarte tatin, £16
2. Ye Olde Mitre Tavern
Farringdon, London
Hidden away down a tiny Hatton Garden alleyway, Ye Olde Mitre was established in 1546. Queen Elizabeth I used to be stated to have danced across the cherry tree on the entrance with Sir Christopher Hatton. The bars are wood-panelled, the entire pub infused with the froth-topped spirit of some centuries of significant toping.
1 Ely Court, Ely Pl, London EC1
What I’m consuming: Cheese and black cab ham toastie, £6.50
3. The Anglesea Arms
Hammersmith, London
A London stalwart, with roaring fires in winter, a terrace for hotter months and a love of canine. The meals is cracking – trendy European with the lightest of touches. Damned good Sunday roast too. Perfect for a swift half or an extended Saturday session.
35 Wingate Road, Hammersmith, London W6
What I’m consuming: Fresh pappardelle with beef ragu, £19
4. The Golden Heart
Spitalfields, London
There could also be Tracey Emin artworks scattered about, however this pub is all about Sandra Esquilent, the magnificent landlady who was in cost for almost 40 years. Beautiful picket bar? Yup. Wonderful again room with a jukebox? Hell, yeah. And all method of regulars, from cooks and artists to City sorts and vacationers. Don’t anticipate cocktails or sharing plates, simply good beers and well-priced wines.
110 Commercial St, London E1
What I’m consuming: It’s not that form of pub. I’m sticking to crisps!
5. The King’s Arms
Oxford
Lots of well-kept cask ales, good pies, plus picket beams, bar and flooring on the oldest pub in Oxford, which even has a resident ghost.
40 Holywell St, Oxford OX1 3SP
What I’m consuming: Chicken, ham and leek pie, £17.50
6. The Trout Inn
Wolvercote, Oxford
An attractive Seventeenth-century pub sitting on the Thames, a ten-minute drive outdoors Oxford. There’s a terrace that appears over the river, with heaters in winter, plus a big choice of respectable ales and meals. One of these pubs that’s as cosy in winter as it’s bucolic in summer time.
195 Godstow Road, Wolvercote, Oxford OX2 8PN
What I’m consuming: Sea salt & cracked black pepper squid, £8.75
7. The Bell Inn
Aldworth, Berkshire
This no-nonsense pub sits in a Grade II-listed constructing, a former manor home. There’s a wood-burning range, Arkell’s on faucet and generously stuffed sandwiches and baps. Mobile telephones are banned they usually don’t take bank cards. And that’s simply the best way the locals prefer it.
3 Ambury Rd, Aldworth RG8 9TL
What I’m consuming: Ox tongue roll, £4.50
8. The Dove
Dargate, Kent
The Dove Inn was inbuilt 1872, to exchange a a lot older pub on the identical website. It’s a neat, fairly boozer, with a wood-fired range and a picket bar serving up numerous respectable Kentish ales. And it has not too long ago had a facelift, in addition to a menu revamp.
What I’m consuming: Shoulder of lamb, £25
9. The Three Chimneys
Biddenden, Kent
A half-timbered boozer that’s all low eaves, flagstone flooring, hidden nooks and blazing fires. The ales are a mixture of native and well-known, and the restaurant is garlanded with awards. Serious pub grub.
Hareplain Rd, Biddenden, Ashford TN27 8LW
What I’m consuming: Sausage roll with a complete grain mustard mayonnaise, £5.75
SOUTH WEST AND WALES
10. The Golden Lion
Newport
Crackling fires, native ales, Welsh ciders and whiskies, home-made pork pies, Scotch eggs and soups… The Golden Lion is the right base from which to discover this beautiful a part of the world. They enable canine too.
East St, Newport SA42 0SY
What I’m consuming: Homemade Welsh beef lasagne, £16.50
11. The King’s Arms
Pentyrch, Cardiff
A conventional longhouse pub in a reasonably village on the outskirts of Cardiff. There’s native ale from Brains, a flag-stoned cosy, open fires, lime-washed partitions and delightful gardens. Welsh seasonal produce is on the coronary heart of an ever-changing menu. A comfortable cracker.
Church Rd, Pentyrch, Cardiff CF15 9QF
What I’m consuming: Brisket mac and cheese
12. The Wheatsheaf
Chilton Foliat, Wiltshire
A correct quaint village pub, with thatched roof, flint partitions and a big beer backyard. There are well-kept, native beers on faucet (together with Ramsbury Gold), in addition to wonderful, no nonsense pub grub, from Scotch eggs and steamed mussels, to roast rooster and cheeseburgers.
What I’m consuming: Braised beef croquettes, horseradish mayonnaise, £8
13. The Bell Inn
Selsley, Gloucs
A basic Sixteenth-century Cotswold boozer with native ales and almost 100 completely different sorts of gin. The meals ranges from pub classics proper via to an honest Sunday roast. If you’re staying, the breakfast is fairly splendid too.
Enderly House, Bell Ln, Selsley, Stroud GL5 5JY
What I’m consuming: Glazed plums, set vanilla custard and pine nuts, brown bread ice cream, £9
14. The Red lion
Cricklade, Wilts
A Sixteenth-century pub with a flower-strewn façade that brews its personal beer. You can’t get way more native than that. And they’re good beers too, served up within the kind of pub made to linger in all afternoon. Snack on do-it-yourself Scotch eggs and pasties, or get caught into Wiltshire ham and free-range fried eggs.
74 High St, Cricklade, Swindon SN6 6DD
What I’m consuming: Five hour braised lamb shank, £25
15. The Compasses Inn
Chicksgrove, Wilts
The Compasses is all the things you’d anticipate from a conventional Wiltshire pub: flagstone partitions, picket beams, inglenook fireplaces… and wonderful native ale on faucet. The meals is excess of a mere afterthought, with good fish and chips, fish pie and pan fried sea bass. There’s a great wine listing too.
Lower Chicksgrove, Salisbury SP3 6NB
What I’m consuming: Smoked Mackerel rillette, £10
16. Tucker’s Grave
Faulkland, Somerset
The ciders (and beers) at this 200-year-old cider home are served straight from the barrel. There’s not even a correct bar. But don’t fear. It’s an impressive boozer, with Georgian picket panelling, fireplaces, wood-burning stoves and its personal skittle alley.
Faulkland, Somerset BA3 5XF
What I’m consuming: Breakfast bap, from £3.50
17. The Elephant’s Nest
Horndon, Devon
A Sixteenth-century free home with probably the most fantastic gardens, The Elephant’s Nest sits inside Dartmoor National Park, with thick stone partitions, two resident canine, open log fires and the sensation that in right here, all is properly with the world. There are additionally native ales on faucet, chargrilled South Devon steaks and correct puddings. Oh, and charming rooms during which to sleep off any merry extra.
Horndon, Mary Tavy, Tavistock PL19 9NQ
What I’m consuming: Fish and chips fried in ale batter, £19.95
18. The Woolpack Inn
Slad, Gloucestershire
This pub has one of many prettiest views in Britain, wanting over the luscious Gloucestershire valley made well-known by Laurie Lee in Cider With Rosie. This was his boozer too, and it’s a basic. There’s a piano that springs into motion most nights, in addition to a small bar, a hearth and actually wonderful meals.
Slad Road, Stroud GL6 7QA
What I’m consuming: Cheeseburger, £12
19. Cornish Arms
Padstow, Cornwall
A basic Cornish pub, owned by Rick and Jill Stein. The upmarket menu options pies, steaks and scampi, in addition to just a few basic Stein fish dishes. As you’d anticipate.
St Merryn, Padstow PL28 8ND
What I’m consuming: Pondicherry fish curry, £20.95
20. The Pilchard Inn
Burgh Island, Devon
If you may devour a view, then it is a 16-course feast. As The Pilchard Inn gazes out over the seashore, and the ocean past. It’s been round for greater than 700 years, feeding and watering sailors, scallies and smugglers alike. The beers are good, and the meals easy however satisfying.
Burgh Island Hotel, Bigbury-on-Sea, South Devon TQ7 4BG
What I’m consuming: Devonshire roast ham sandwich, £6.50
MIDLANDS AND EAST ANGLIA
21. The Old Contemptibles
Birmingham
Named in honour of the British Expeditionary Force of 1914. It’s a worthy tribute, as this grand outdated metropolis pub has the grandeur of a correct gin palace, with limitless gleaming wooden and excessive home windows. There are often half a dozen or extra cask ales, in addition to a critical choice of sausages and chops.
176 Edmund St, Birmingham B3 2HB
What I’m consuming: Slow cooked pulled duck croquettes, £8
22. The Royal Oak
Whatcote, Warwickshire
Very a lot an area pub, albeit a fairly sensible one. But chef proprietor Richard Craven is one hell of a chef. Expect recreation in season, from pheasant with three-cornered leek to duck with beetroot. Home-made bread comes with dripping butter, and there’s wonderful fish too.
2 Upper Farm Barn, Whatcote, Shipston-on-Stour CV36 5EF
What I’m consuming: Only set menus can be found, from £75
23. The Vine Inn
Brierley Hill, West Midlands
Better referred to as the Bull and Bladder, it is a correct Black Country pub. Better nonetheless, it’s bang subsequent door to Batham’s Brewery, which makes a gentle and bitter, two of my favorite beers on Earth. Food, served solely within the day, contains pasties, cob rolls, faggots and about half a dozen styles of scratching.
10 Delph Rd, Brierley Hill DY5 2TN
What I’m consuming: Homemade pork pie, £1.25 (small).
24. The Crown Inn
Weston, Northamptonshire
They say that The Crown was the final place Lord Lucan was ever seen. The inn has been right here because the Sixteenth century, and there are good ales, fires and beams, whereas the ornament is comfortably trendy. The meals likewise.
2 Helmdon Rd, Weston NN12 8PX
What I’m consuming: Half roasted Cotswold white rooster, £20
25. The White Horse
King’s Sutton, South Northamptonshire
Dog-friendly pub with a strong oak bar, blazing fires in winter, good draught ale and even its personal gin bar. The meals is tip-top too, with the likes of Confit duck leg, and a great Sunday roast.
2 The Square, King’s Sutton, Banbury OX17 3RF
What I’m consuming: Black pudding scotch egg, £10
26. The Talbot
Knightwick, Worcestershire
The Talbot has been taking care of punters because the 14th century, and good cheer is soaked deep into its soul. It has all the standard conventional pub charms, plus its personal in-house brewery and bakery. Food contains gradual braised venison, baked cod risotto and a good Ploughman’s.
Bromyard Rd, Knightwick, Worcester WR6 5PH
What I’m consuming: Talbot rooster pie
27. The Gunton Arms
Thorpe Market, Norfolk
The Gunton Arms sits inside a 1,000-acre Norfolk deer park and encompasses a very critical artwork assortment on its partitions together with works by Freud, Emin, Hirst and Auerbach. Fire is on the coronary heart of this pub, with the pub’s venison cooked over an unlimited open fireplace, in addition to beef from an area herd.
Cromer Rd, Thorpe Market, Norwich NR11 8TZ
What I’m consuming: Gunton venison stew, £19.50
28. The Ship
Dunwich, Suffolk
Adnams on faucet, a good looking beer backyard, wood-burning stoves and, in accordance with some, the most effective fish and chips within the nation. Don’t miss the native smoked mackerel too, or the do-it-yourself sausage rolls.
St James’s St, Dunwich, Saxmundham IP17 3DT
What I’m consuming: Those well-known fish and chips, £19.50 (with a pint of Adnams or glass of home wine)
29. The Black Horse
Thorndon, Suffolk
A basic Seventeenth-century village pub. The sort all of us dream of getting down the highway. The village is gorgeous, canine are welcome on the bar, draught beer and ales are properly stored, and there’s an enormous beer backyard.
The Street, Thorndon Eye, Suffolk IP23 7JR
What I’m consuming: Steak and ale pie, £16.45
30. Duncombe Arms
Ellastone, Staffordshire
An 1850s inn that has been lovingly restored and is now the nice and cozy, beating coronary heart of the village. There are fires and flagstone flooring and good-looking gardens. The meals is a minimize above the standard pub grub, whereas not being overly pretentious. Ham hock terrine, Turkey, stuffing & cranberry pie and darkish chocolate fondant. Nice.
Ellastone, Ashbourne DE6 2GZ
What I’m consuming: Cherry and almond steamed sponge pudding, £8
NORTH EAST AND NORTH WEST
31. The Broad Chare
Newcastle
Downstairs is a spot for an honest pint. House ales are from Wylam Valley, and an area own-label brew. And with the nice Terry Laybourne watching over the menu, the meals is predictably good. Crispy blood pudding, Pork Belly with Braised Chicories and Mushroom and Spelt Suet Pudding… and that’s simply the weekly specials,
25 Broad Chare, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 3DQ
What I’m consuming: Grilled cheese and onion toastie, £7
32. Free Trade Inn
Newcastle
The pub might have a beautiful view over the Tyne, however beer is the star right here. Mainly native keg and cask ales, with just a few friends in too. And some good cider. The jukebox is presumably the most effective within the nation, whereas there are two beer gardens. The meals stretches to good sandwiches and pies, however not a lot else apart from. A real Newcastle gem.
12 St Lawrence Rd, Newcastle upon Tyne NE6 1AP
What I’m consuming: Ham, egg and chips, £5.45
33. Royal George
Staithes
The Royal George is small however completely fashioned with coal fires, actual ales and respectable meals. And solely 100 yards from the ocean too. You’ll additionally discover native crab sandwiches, steak and ale pie and respectable fish and chips.
Cleveland Corner, High St, Staithes, Saltburn-by-the-Sea TS13 5BH
What I’m consuming: Crab sandwiches
34. Whitelock’s Ale House
Leeds
Built in 1715, Whitelock’s is the oldest public home in Leeds. And it’s good-looking as hell, brimming with late Victorian and Edwardian appeal, all stained-glass home windows, coal fires, polished wooden and fairly mosaics. Twelve cask ales, and two kegs, plus correct pub meals.
Turk’s Head Yard, Leeds LS1 6HB
What I’m consuming: Black pudding scotch egg, £7.50
35. The White Horse Inn (aka ‘Nellies’)
Beverley, Yorks
The White Horse, higher referred to as ‘Nellies’, was initially a Seventeenth-century teaching inn, it nonetheless has gasoline lights, chandeliers, snugs, stone flagged corridors and open fires. Tables are marble topped, the chairs historic however padded, and there’s a sense of a spot caught in a time warp. A great one. The meals is nothing to write down dwelling about however the Samuel Smith’s draught Old Brewery bitter is affordable and respectable.
22 Hengate, Beverley HU17 8BN
What I’m consuming: Decent pub pork pies and sausage rolls
36. Freemasons
Wiswell
A mixture of nation pub and capturing lodge, this Ribble Valley magnificence is an award-winning pub that melds native with some critical cooking. So there are summer time barbecues, Sarsons on the desk and ‘chippy teas’ alongside Chef proprietor Steven Smith’s resolutely trendy menus. Good beers too, and nice worth. In the phrases of Smith, ‘an exceptional dining experience, but without the formality.’ Damned good bitter too.
8 Vicarage Fold, Wiswell, Clitheroe BB7 9DF
What I’m consuming: Oxtail and beef cheek
37. The Circus
Manchester
The smallest pub in Manchester, with one of many smallest bars within the nation. But small doesn’t imply second-rate. Hell no. It’s owned by Tetley’s brewery and there are fireplaces, picket panelling and sash home windows. But not sufficient room for queuing up on the bar. So it’s desk service just for the 45 or so fortunate punters who discover their means inside.
86 Portland St, Manchester M1 4GX
What I’m consuming: No meals, however a pint of Tetley’s. Obviously.
38. The Star Inn
Harome, North Yorkshire
With its thatched roof and timbered ceilings, The Star might appear to be your common cosy British pub, nevertheless it’s greater than that, as chef/patron Andrew Pern holds a Michelin star. It’s simply considered one of just about each award going. Expect trendy British meals with a Yorkshire burr.
Main St, Harome, close to Helmsley YO62 5JE
What I’m consuming: Roasted crimson legged partridge, £27
39. City Arms
Manchester
Eight hand pulls, primarily native ales, at this cosy two-room pub. But there are leather-based banquettes, stained-glass home windows and the sensation of an old school boozer. At lunch there’s a menu, however scorching pies can be found all day. Along with pickled eggs. In a world of chain pubs, The City Arms provides the actual factor.
46-48 Kennedy St, Manchester M2 4BQ
What I’m consuming: Gammon and egg, £6.75.
40. Philharmonic Dining Rooms
Liverpool
Better referred to as ‘The Phil’, this stunner of a Liverpool city-centre pub sits reverse the Philharmonic Hall. And it’s probably the most good-looking of pubs, with excessive ceilings, repoussé copper panels, mosaics, mahogany and stained glass. And two smaller, cosy rooms named Brahms and Liszt. Geddit?
36 Hope St, Liverpool L1 9BX
What I’m consuming: Runny scotch egg, £6.50
SCOTLAND AND NORTHERN IRELAND
41. Crosskeys Inn
County Antrim
Both Ireland’s oldest thatched pub (it was inbuilt 1654) and famed for its reside conventional music, The Crosskeys is an hour from Belfast, and has peat burning fires, good Guinness, limitless antiques, sandwiches, steak and even the occasional eel dinner (the critters are caught in close by Lough Neagh). Settle in for a correct session.
40 Grange Rd, Toomebridge, Antrim BT41 3QB
What I’m consuming: Irish stew
42. The Crown Liquor Saloon
Belfast
An excellent Victorian gin palace, this Belfast basic has all of it – elaborate tiling, stained glass, mosaic flooring and much of carved wooden. But regardless of its measurement, The Crown in some way manages to stay cosy. You’ll discover well-kept cask ales (Nicholson’s Pale Ale) and, like in all Nicholson’s pubs, respectable chops and sausages. But go for the ambiance, that’s as intoxicating as it’s inspiring.
46 Great Victoria St, Belfast BT2 7BA
What I’m consuming: Crown fish and chips, £15
43. Kelly’s Cellars
Belfast
It won’t be probably the most elegant of Belfast’s many pubs, however Kelly’s Cellars (typically referred to as Smelly Kelly’s), is among the oldest, inbuilt 1720. The partitions are whitewashed, the flooring uneven, however there’s an open hearth, good ale and often a singalong or two. Plus, it’s a famed music venue, with an ever-revolving forged of visitor bands.
30-32 Bank St, Belfast BT1 1HL
What I’m consuming: Irish stew
44. Spey Inn
Craigellachie, Speyside
Right within the centre of whisky nation, that is the most effective pub on the town, small, with low ceilings and a sense of real hospitality. You’ll discover two cask ales, an unbelievable choice of whisky, some respectable cocktails and severely spectacular meals. There’s a crackling hearth in winter, a solar terrace for the hotter months and the choice, when you really feel the urge, to go to among the most well-known distilleries on Earth.
Victoria Street, Craigellachie, Speyside, AB38 9SR
What I’m consuming: Ghillies board choice of smoked fish, £22
45. The Boat Inn
Aboyne
Perched on the banks of the River Dee, within the coronary heart of Royal Deeside, The Boat Inn is an upmarket boozer with excellent meals. Wood-burning fires, actual ales, limitless whiskies, stuffed stags’ heads and wooden burning stoves. This is Scotland in consolation, however you’re as welcome to cease by for a pint as you’re to e-book in and keep for 3 days.
Charlestown Rd, Aboyne AB34 5EL
What I’m consuming: Pie of the day
46. The Clachaig Inn
Argyll
Clachaig has been slaking thirsts for over 300 years and is within the coronary heart of Glencoe. There are three separate bars, with log fires, tough stone flooring, cask conditioned ales and extra Scotch you could shake a Sporran at. It’s additionally famed for its reside music, however for a little bit of peace along with your pint, escape to The Snug. Decent Scottish scran too.
Ballachulish PH49 4LA
What I’m consuming: Stornoway black pudding, £9.95
47. The Dreel Tavern
Anstruther
The Dreel Tavern has been serving Anstruther fortunately for a few years, with its tough stone partitions, giant hearth, cask beer on rotation and much on draught. Throw of their stunning beer backyard, overlooking the Dreel burn and a few respectable meals, and you’ve got a pub during which you need to linger.
16 High St W, Anstruther KY10 3DL
What I’m consuming: Haggis bites, £8.50
48. The Ship Inn Elie, Fife
A good-looking pub with a cricket pitch on the seashore in entrance. Fixtures are tide-dependent. There’s additionally a terrace overlooking the sand, with barbecues in summer time and fires in winter. The bar is stuffed with actual ale and Scottish malts, making this a comfortably upmarket seaside pub.
The Toft, Elie, Leven KY9 1DT
What I’m consuming: Cullen skink, £10.50
49. The Oxford Bar
Edinburgh
Probably finest identified for being John Rebus’s favorite Edinburgh boozer, The Ox is a spot the place locals and Ian Rankin followers drink fortunately collectively. It’s lengthy attracted writers and artists, drawn to its small, compartmented rooms and its austere however heat appeal. There’s actual ale at this basic pub, one fully unaffected by its worldwide fame.
8 Young Street, Edinburgh EH2 4JB
What I’m consuming: Nuts and crisps. This place is for boozing, not consuming.
50. The Bridge Inn (reopens in March after refurbishment)
Ratho, Midlothian
At The Bridge you’ll discover a lot of respectable Scottish ales, limitless whiskies, a crackling hearth and do-it-yourself pork scratchings. Plus high-end pub grub, utilizing their very own pork and greens.
27 Baird Rd, Ratho, Newbridge EH28 8RA
What I’m consuming: Aberdeenshire beef shin, £25.95
