Tom Parker Bowles and Olly Smith on the 100 best pubs in the UK

What makes a cosy pub? For us, it’s one with a roaring fire, comfy nooks to dwell in, ideally dogs welcome, great grub and a carefully chosen gathering of ales and wines. We’ve collected 100 of our favourites, places that fill us with delight – and we hope you enjoy these gems too. Cheers!   

Our critics Tom Parker Bowles (right) and Olly Smith (left). ‘We’ve collected 100 of our favourites, places that fill us with delight – and we hope you enjoy these gems too. Cheers!’

London and the south east 

Tom’s Picks 

1. The Dove

Hammersmith, London

This riverside beauty is in Guinness World Records for having the smallest bar room in the world. It’s a Fuller’s pub, so has the usual well-kept Pride and ESB on tap, and decent food too.  

19 Upper Mall, Hammersmith, London W6

What I’m eating South Coast lamb shepherd’s pie, £14.50. 

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 was said to have danced around the cherry tree at the front with Sir Christopher Hatton. The bars are wood-panelled, the whole pub infused with the froth-topped spirit of a few centuries of serious toping.

1 Ely Court, Ely Pl, London EC1

What I’m eating Honey-glazed ham and cheese toastie, £2.10. 

3. The Anglesea Arms

Hammersmith, London

A London stalwart, with roaring fires in winter, a terrace for warmer months and a love of dogs. The food is cracking – modern European with the lightest of touches. Damned good Sunday roast too. Perfect for a swift half or a long Saturday session.

35 Wingate Road, Hammersmith, London W6

What I’m eating Fresh pappardelle with beef ragu, £9.

4. The Golden Heart

Spitalfields, London

There may be Tracey Emin artworks scattered about, but this pub is all about Sandra Esquilent, the magnificent landlady who was in charge for nearly 40 years. Beautiful wooden bar? Yup. Wonderful back room with a jukebox? Hell, yeah. And all manner of regulars, from chefs and artists to City types and tourists. Don’t expect cocktails or sharing plates, just good beers and well-priced wines.

110 Commercial St, London E1

What I’m eating It’s not that kind of pub. I’m sticking to crisps!

5. The King’s Arms

Oxford

Lots of well-kept cask ales, good pies, plus wooden beams, bar and floor at the oldest pub in Oxford, which even has a resident ghost.

40 Holywell St, Oxford OX1 3SP

What I’m eating Chicken pie, £14.50. 

The Trout Inn. A beautiful 17th-century pub sitting on the Thames, a ten-minute drive outside Oxford

The Trout Inn. A beautiful 17th-century pub sitting on the Thames, a ten-minute drive outside Oxford

6. The Trout Inn 

Wolvercote, Oxford 

A beautiful 17th-century pub sitting on the Thames, a ten-minute drive outside Oxford. There’s a terrace that looks over the river, with heaters in winter, plus a large selection of decent ales and food. One of those pubs that is as cosy in winter as it is bucolic in summer. 

195 Godstow Road, Wolvercote, Oxford OX2 8PN 

What I’m eating Salt and Szechuan pepper squid, £6.95. 

7. The Blackbird

Newbury, Berkshire

It may look like an old-fashioned pub, but since it was taken over by chef Tom Robinson the food has gone up a few notches – it now has a Michelin star. Nothing silly or fancy, just assured modern, seasonal cookery.

Bagnor, Newbury RG20 8AQ

What I’m eating Wild sea bass with Bombay potatoes, £30.

8. The Bell Inn

Aldworth, Berkshire

This no-nonsense pub sits in a Grade II-listed building, a former manor house. There’s a wood-burning stove, Arkell’s on tap and generously filled sandwiches and baps. Mobile phones are banned and they don’t take credit cards. And that’s just the way the locals like it.

3 Ambury Rd, Aldworth RG8 9TL

What I’m eating Crusty bap filled with crab terrine, £3.30.

9. The Dove

Dargate, Kent

The Dove Inn was built in 1872, to replace a much older pub on the same site. It’s a neat, pretty boozer, with a wood-fired stove and a wooden bar serving up various decent Kentish ales. And it has recently had a facelift, as well as a menu revamp.

What I’m eating Rack of Kentish lamb, £34.50 for a two-course dinner.

10. The Three Chimneys

Biddenden, Kent

A half-timbered boozer that is all low eaves, flagstone floors, hidden nooks and blazing fires. The ales are a mix of local and well known, and the restaurant is garlanded with awards. Serious pub grub.

Hareplain Rd, Biddenden, Ashford TN27 8LW

What I’m eating Cheddar rarebit on toast, £7.95.

Olly’s picks 

11. The Grenadier

Belgravia, London

The pub was originally built as an officers’ mess in 1720. The beer’s great, bar sausages tasty and it’s perhaps most infamous for hosting my stag party in 2002 – a blue plaque is surely due?

18 Wilton Row, London SW1

What I’m drinking Timothy Taylor’s Landlord, £5.

The Grenadier Belgravia, London. The pub was originally built as an officers’ mess in 1720

The Grenadier Belgravia, London. The pub was originally built as an officers’ mess in 1720

12. The White Horse

Parsons Green, London

Offering beautiful beers with seasonal tap takeovers from cask to craft, this London institution is a must-visit. Long nicknamed The Sloaney Pony, it was a favourite haunt of the Eighties Sloane Ranger.

1-3 Parsons Green, London SW6

What I’m drinking Pilsner Urquell, £5.50

13. The Guinea Grill

Mayfair, London

Chef Nathan Richardson has made this iconic London pub the cosy capital for beef. Godfreys butchers has a dry-ageing room dedicated solely to The Guinea Grill, which has been slaking London’s hunger for steaks since 1952. Expect old-school charm with wood panelling as the backdrop to your hearty feast.  

30 Bruton Pl, London W1 

What I’m drinking Château de Parenchère Bordeaux Supérieur, £9.95 (175ml). 

14. The Spread Eagle

Homerton, London

The Spread Eagle delivers an entirely vegan offering, from cosy bar to kitchen, fixtures and fittings, creating a modern take on a classic East End boozer.  

22 4 Homerton High St, London E9

What I’m drinking Arndorfer Grüner Veltliner, £6.90 (175ml). 

15. The Wykeham Arms

Winchester

My dad’s old haunt when he was a teacher in the town several centuries ago. Seventy wines, five ales on tap, tasty food and lovely rooms to stay in. 

75 Kingsgate St, Winchester SO23 9PE

What I’m drinking A pint of Seafarers English ale, £4.

The Wykeham Arms. Seventy wines, five ales on tap, tasty food and lovely rooms to stay in

The Wykeham Arms. Seventy wines, five ales on tap, tasty food and lovely rooms to stay in

16. The Withies Inn

Compton, Surrey

This pub has the dubious honour of serving me my first (legal) pint on turning 18. In the colder months it feels like stepping into a 16th-century hot-water bottle – warming and historic.

Withies Ln, Compton, Guildford GU3 1JB

What I’m drinking A pint of Hazy Hog cider, £4.50

17. Lion & Lobster

Hove, East Sussex

Within striking distance of the seaside, the food is grand with a late-night menu. With the fire flickering, warm yourself from spine to your soul.

24 Sillwood St, Brighton BN1 2PS

What I’m drinking Spanish Ailala-Ailalelo, £28 (bottle).

18. The Ram Inn

Firle, East Sussex

The Ram has been faithfully feeding and watering the village of Firle for 500 years, and with one of Britain’s finest breweries, Burning Sky, a stone’s throw away, you can’t ask for more.

29 The Street, West Firle, Lewes BN8 6NS

What I’m drinking A pint of Burning Sky Plateau, £4.50.

19. The Jolly Sportsman

East Chiltington, East Sussex

Probably my favourite pub in Sussex for its cosy sections, excellent cooking and dreamy list of beer, whisky, cider – the whole caboodle. In winter beside the bar’s fire is the place to be, but when the weather is warmer the garden is a gem.

Chapel Ln, East Chiltington, Lewes BN7 3BA

What I’m drinking Lilley’s rhubarb cider, £4.95.

20. The Swan

Lewes, East Sussex

Simple, hearty and affordable pub food with good veggie options: a local boozer with soul. Expect the fire to be roaring, games available to be played, dogs welcome and me to be propping up the bar. 

30A Southover High St, Lewes BN7 1HU

What I’m drinking Harvey’s Best Bitter, £3.90.  

South west and Wales

Tom’s Picks 

21. The Golden Lion

Newport

Crackling fires, local ales, Welsh ciders and whiskies, home-made pork pies, Scotch eggs and soups… The Golden Lion is the perfect base from which to explore this stunning part of the world. They allow dogs too.

East St, Newport SA42 0SY

What I’m eating Welsh farmer’s platter, £12.95.

22. The King’s Arms

Pentyrch, Cardiff

A traditional longhouse pub in a pretty village on the outskirts of Cardiff. There’s local ale from Brains, a flag-stoned snug, open fires, lime-washed walls and beautiful gardens. Welsh seasonal produce is at the heart of an ever-changing menu. A cosy cracker.

Church Rd, Pentyrch, Cardiff CF15 9QF

What I’m eating Welsh rarebit, £5.50.

23. The Bell Inn

Selsley, Gloucs

A classic 16th-century Cotswold boozer with local ales and nearly 100 different kinds of gin. The food ranges from pub classics right through to a decent Sunday roast. If you’re staying, the breakfast is pretty splendid too.

Enderly House, Bell Ln, Selsley, Stroud GL5 5JY

What I’m eating Citrus cake with marmalade ice cream, £6.50.

24. The Red lion

Cricklade, Wilts

A 16th-century pub with a flower-strewn façade that brews its own beer. You can’t get much more local than that. And they’re good beers too, served up in the sort of pub made to linger in all afternoon. Snack on homemade Scotch eggs and pasties, or get stuck into Wiltshire ham and free-range fried eggs.

74 High St, Cricklade, Swindon SN6 6DD

What I’m eating Fifteen-hour cider-braised pork belly, £17.

25. The Compasses Inn

Chicksgrove, Wilts

The Compasses is everything you’d expect from a traditional Wiltshire pub: flagstone walls, wooden beams, inglenook fireplaces… and excellent local ale on tap. The food is far more than a mere afterthought, with good fish and chips, Welsh rarebit, fish pie and whole lemon sole. There’s a good wine list too.

Lower Chicksgrove, Salisbury SP3 6NB

What I’m eating Rare-grilled ox heart with sautéed potatoes, £10.

26. Tucker’s Grave

Faulkland, Somerset

The ciders (and beers) at this 200-year-old cider house are served straight from the barrel. There’s not even a proper bar. But don’t worry. It’s a magnificent boozer, with Georgian wooden panelling, fireplaces, wood-burning stoves and its own skittle alley. 

Faulkland, Somerset BA3 5XF

What I’m eating Cheese sandwich, £2.

27. The Elephant’s Nest

Horndon, Devon

A 16th-century free house with the most wonderful gardens, The Elephant’s Nest sits within Dartmoor National Park, with thick stone walls, two resident dogs, open log fires and the feeling that in here, all is well with the world. There are also local ales on tap, chargrilled South Devon steaks and proper puddings. Oh, and charming rooms in which to sleep off any merry excess.

Horndon, Mary Tavy, Tavistock PL19 9NQ

What I’m eating Fish and chips fried in beef dripping, £16.95. 

28. The Woolpack  

Slad, Gloucestershire 

This pub has one of the prettiest views in Britain, looking over the luscious Gloucestershire valley made famous by Laurie Lee in Cider With Rosie. This was his boozer too, and it’s a classic. There’s a piano that springs into action most nights, as well as a small bar, a fire and really excellent food. 

Slad Road, Stroud GL6 7QA 

What I’m eating Cheeseburger, £15. 

The Woolpack in Slad, Gloucestershire. This pub has one of the prettiest views in Britain, looking over the luscious Gloucestershire valley made famous by Laurie Lee

The Woolpack in Slad, Gloucestershire. This pub has one of the prettiest views in Britain, looking over the luscious Gloucestershire valley made famous by Laurie Lee

29. Cornish Arms

Padstow, Cornwall

A classic Cornish pub, owned by Rick and Jill Stein. The upmarket menu features pies, steaks and scampi, as well as a few classic Stein fish dishes. As you’d expect.

St Merryn, Padstow PL28 8ND

What I’m eating Goan fish curry, £14.95.

30. The Pilchard Inn

Burgh Island, Devon

If you can devour a view, then this is a 16-course feast. As The Pilchard Inn gazes out over the beach, and the sea beyond. It’s been around for more than 700 years, feeding and watering sailors, scallies and smugglers alike. The beers are good, and the food simple but satisfying.

Burgh Island Hotel, Bigbury-on-Sea, South Devon TQ7 4BG

What I’m eating Pirates pilchards on toast, £5.50.

Olly’s picks 

31. The Felin Fach Griffin

Felinfach, Brecon

Always book ahead! This is a peach of a pub where fab food is a fanfare for local producers. Beer is impeccably kept and the excellent wines are carefully picked from beyond the beaten track – you can even buy them to take away at retail price. Feast to the brink before being subsumed by the ample sofas.

Felinfach, Brecon LD3 0UB

What I’m drinking Local Welsh fizz from Ancre Hill, £9 (175ml).

32. Warwicks

Abergavenny, Monmouthshire

The blazing fire is glorious in the colder seasons in this traditional country pub. There’s a decent list of beer and cider with several local options from the stunning countryside around. If the beef and Otter Ale pie is on, don’t hesitate – it’s as warming as swallowing a duvet.

Tal-y-coed, Abergavenny NP7 8TL

What I’m drinking Foncalieu Picpoul de Pinet, £18 (bottle).

33. The Ebrington Arms

Ebrington, Gloucs

With its own Yubby beer, snug luxuriant rooms to stay in and dishes that deliver endless satisfaction, it’s hard to leave this country gem once you step through the door. Beams, firelight, food that celebrates local glory and brilliantly brewed beer – this is among the very best of British pubs.

May Lane, Ebrington, Chipping Campden GL55 6NH

What I’m drinking Yubby Cotswold Bitter – the beer that belongs here, £3.80.

34. Harbourmaster 

Aberaeron, Ceredigion 

I stayed here while filming The Secret Supper Club for Channel 4, and its enduring charm as an oasis of good taste with a warm welcome has not been forgotten. A decent wine list as well as excellent local seaside produce cooked superbly secures its ongoing reputation. 

1 Quay Parade, Aberaeron SA46 0BT 

What I’m drinking Château Lynch Bages 2008, which might seem steep at £120, but it’s worth splashing out for. 

Harbourmaster in Aberaeron, Ceredigion. A decent wine list as well as excellent local seaside produce cooked superbly secures its ongoing reputation

Harbourmaster in Aberaeron, Ceredigion. A decent wine list as well as excellent local seaside produce cooked superbly secures its ongoing reputation

35. Highbury Vaults

Bristol

The atmospheric conditions lie somewhere between Withnail & I and Great Expectations. There are good guest beers dotted around the Young’s range, but my steer is to head for the all £18-a-bottle wine list and sip a glass of glory on Slow Roasted Sunday. The beef brisket is usually marvellous.

164 St Michael’s Hill, Bristol BS2 8DE

What I’m drinking Norton Porteño Malbec, £18 (bottle).

36. Old Green Tree

Bath

Get to this tiny beer paradise early to grab a seat by the fire – it’s small but perfectly formed. Expect wood panelling and a beer selection to thrill. Try the roast beef sandwich and enjoy conversing with whoever you sit nearest. Blissfully free of distractions, this place is magic in miniature.

12 Green St, Bath BA1 2JZ

What I’m drinking Cask beers are great here – but take advice from the bottle selection too.

37. The Square And Compass

Worth Matravers, Dorset

My favourite cider pub in the world. Landlord Charlie Newman’s own cider is absolutely epic and the place itself is magical. The whole snug and mellow vibe feels from another realm. Gorgeous views as well, but go easy on the cider – more than a couple and I have to listen to George Harrison to calm down.

Worth Matravers, Swanage BH19 3LF

What I’m drinking A pint of Eve’s Idea, Charlie’s medium cider. And then another, £3.60.

38. The Lazy Toad

Brampford Speke, Devon

This Grade II-listed 18th-century inn is all about freshly prepared local food and drink and the menu is delicious. I love feasting here with my mum and dad, a stone’s throw from charming walks down the River Exe. There’s also a splendidly handsome resident dog who seems to have his own portrait on the wall.

Brampford Speke, Exeter EX5 5DP

What I’m drinking Exeter Brewery Fraid Not, £3.90.

The Lazy Toad. There’s a splendidly handsome resident dog who seems to have his own portrait on the wall

The Lazy Toad. There’s a splendidly handsome resident dog who seems to have his own portrait on the wall

39. Ferry Boat Inn

Helford Passage, Cornwall

Perched on the shore of the North Helford passage, this charming pub entranced me during a stay on the river. Great views beyond the fireside, a farm-to-table approach on food and decent kids’ menu options make this an absolute beauty for a cosy winter session.

Helford Passage, Falmouth TR11 5LB

What I’m drinking Portuguese house white, £18 (bottle).

40. The Gurnards Head

Near Zennor, Cornwall

Jack Stein – son of Rick – recommended this characterful yet cosy pub to me. Well worth the trip to Cornwall’s deep west near Zennor, especially when the wind over the promontory is belching from deep in the Atlantic’s salty belly. The refuge of sheer cosiness and unbeatable cooking is the perfect foil. With locals singing on a Monday, food that chefs love and an intelligently surprising wine list, make the trip to this parallel universe where pleasure rules supreme.

Near Zennor, St Ives TR26 3DE

What I’m drinking Klima red wine from Crete, £28.50 (bottle). 

Midlands and East Anglia

Tom’s picks  

41. The Old Contemptibles

Birmingham

Named in honour of the British Expeditionary Force of 1914. It’s a worthy tribute, as this grand old city pub has the grandeur of a proper gin palace, with endless gleaming wood and high windows. There are usually half a dozen or more cask ales, as well as a serious selection of sausages and chops.

176 Edmund St, Birmingham B3 2HB

What I’m eating Barnsley lamb chop, £15.95.

42. The Royal Oak

Whatcote, Warwickshire

Very much a local pub, albeit a rather smart one. But chef owner Richard Craven is one hell of a chef. Expect game in season, from roe deer tartare to pheasant with snails. Home-made bread comes with dripping butter, and there’s excellent fish too.

2 Upper Farm Barn, Whatcote, Shipston-on-Stour CV36 5EF

What I’m eating Pig’s head and black pudding lasagne, £8.50.

43. The Vine Inn

Brierley Hill, West Midlands

Better known as the Bull and Bladder, this is a proper Black Country pub. Better still, it’s bang next door to Batham’s Brewery, which makes a mild and bitter, two of my favourite beers on Earth. Food, served only in the day, includes pasties, cob rolls, faggots and about half a dozen varieties of scratching.

10 Delph Rd, Brierley Hill DY5 2TN

What I’m eating Homemade pork pie, £1.25 (small).

44. The Crown Inn 

Weston, Northamptonshire 

They say that The Crown was the last place Lord Lucan was ever seen. The inn has been here since the 16th century, and there are good ales, fires and beams, while the decoration is comfortably modern. The food likewise.

2 Helmdon Rd, Weston NN12 8PX 

What I’m eating Poached fillet of Cornish hake, £21.50. 

The Crown Inn Weston, Northamptonshire. They say that The Crown was the last place Lord Lucan was ever seen

The Crown Inn Weston, Northamptonshire. They say that The Crown was the last place Lord Lucan was ever seen

45. The White Horse

King’s Sutton, South Northamptonshire

Dog-friendly pub with a solid oak bar, blazing fires in winter, good draught ale and even its own gin bar. The food is tip-top too, with the likes of crisp pig’s head with pancetta, local duck breast with duck faggot and a good Sunday roast.

2 The Square, King’s Sutton, Banbury OX17 3RF 

 What I’m eating Smoked mackerel Scotch egg, £7.10.

46. The Talbot 

Knightwick, Worcestershire 

The Talbot has been looking after punters since the 14th century, and good cheer is soaked deep into its soul. It has all the usual traditional pub charms, plus its own in-house brewery and bakery. Food includes cottage pie, free-range egg and chips and respectable Ploughman’s. 

Bromyard Rd, Knightwick, Worcester WR6 5PH 

What I’m eating Confit goose millefeuille, £18.  

The Talbot in Knightwick, Worcestershire. The Talbot has been looking after punters since the 14th century, and good cheer is soaked deep into its soul

The Talbot in Knightwick, Worcestershire. The Talbot has been looking after punters since the 14th century, and good cheer is soaked deep into its soul

47. The Gunton Arms

Thorpe Market, Norfolk

The Gunton Arms sits within a 1,000-acre Norfolk deer park and features a very serious art collection on its walls inluding ing works by Freud, Emin, Hirst and Auerbach. Fire is at the heart of this pub, with the pub’s venison cooked over a vast open hearth, as well as beef from a local herd.

Cromer Rd, Thorpe Market, Norwich NR11 8TZ

What I’m eating Gunton red deer rump, £20.

48. The Ship

Dunwich, Suffolk

Adnams on tap, a beautiful beer garden, wood-burning stoves and, according to some, the best fish and chips in the country. Don’t miss the local smoked mackerel too, fish pie and the homemade Scotch eggs.

St James’s St, Dunwich, Saxmundham IP17 3DT

What I’m eating Those famous fish and chips, £13.50.

49. The Black Horse

Thorndon, Suffolk

A classic 17th-century village pub. The type we all dream of having down the road. The village is lovely, dogs are welcome at the bar, draught beer and ales are well kept, and there’s a huge beer garden. 

The Street, Thorndon Eye, Suffolk IP23 7JR

What I’m eating The local steak and kidney pie, £12.95.

50. Duncombe Arms 

Ellastone, Staffordshire

An 1850s inn that has been lovingly restored and is now the warm, beating heart of the village. There are fires and flagstone floors and handsome gardens. The food is a cut above the usual pub grub, while not being overly pretentious. Celeriac soup, chicken, ham and mustard pie and peach melba soufflé. Nice. 

Ellastone, Ashbourne DE6 2GZ

What I’m eating Nutmeg custard tart, £7.50.

Olly’s picks 

51. The Wellington

Birmingham

Beer fans! Twenty-seven hand-pulls with eight regular beers, nine guests, six kegs, five traditional ciders and more. I’m a huge fan of Oakham Citra on tap, which was one of the first modern craft hoppy beers to shoot sheer flavour into my face.

37 Bennetts Hill, Birmingham B2 5SN

What I’m drinking Oakham Citra (£3.90).

52. The Bottle and Glass Inn

Dudley, West Midlands

Filming here for Saturday Kitchen felt more like appearing in Time Team. Amazing setting and a historic spit-and-sawdust pub that’s tucked in the Black Country Living Museum, which features in Peaky Blinders. Quite a range of gins here along with its very own beer. 

Tipton Road, Dudley, West Midlands DY1 4SQ

What I’m drinking Black Country Real Ale, £4 (bottle).

53. Firefly

Hereford

This 17th-century pub emerged anew in 2016 serving vegan food and impeccably curated craft beer. A refreshingly modern take on the cosy boozer.

16 King St, Hereford HR4 9BX

What I’m drinking Ask for a recommendation of their latest craft beer cans. Top selection. 

54. Coopers Tavern 

Burton-on-Trent, East Staffs 

My first stop filming How Beer Changed The World with Dom Joly. It’s historic and authentic, and the cosy back bar is irresistible. Bass brewers used to come here to taste in this snug pub that was once part of Burton’s mega brewing industry, serving the British Empire. Today the legacy lives on. 

43 Cross St, Burton-on-Trent DE14 1EG 

What I’m drinking Bass, for the memories, £3.30. 

Coopers Tavern in Burton-on-Trent, East Staffs. Bass brewers used to come here to taste in this snug pub that was once part of Burton’s mega brewing industry, serving the British Empire

Coopers Tavern in Burton-on-Trent, East Staffs. Bass brewers used to come here to taste in this snug pub that was once part of Burton’s mega brewing industry, serving the British Empire

55. The Cambridge Blue

Cambridge

The pub I drink in when visiting Cambridge on my Three Wine Men tasting tours, as it lives up to its billing as a traditional pub with modern beer and a real-ale paradise. 

85-87 Gwydir St, Cambridge CB1 2LG

What I’m drinking The cider is good but I go for real ale – Animal Brewing’s Hop Kitty is £3.60.

56. The Nutshell

Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk

Britain’s smallest pub, with a bar that’s only 15ft x 7ft, which certainly makes it among the cosiest too. I stumbled on it while filming locally and it’s sobering to think thirst has been slaked here since 1867.

17 The Traverse, Bury St Edmunds IP33 1BJ

What I’m drinking Greene King Abbot, brewed around the corner.

57. The Golden Fleece

Wells-next-the-Sea, Norfolk

I come here for the fine food and the views over the harbour. Crabbing on the quay with the kids followed by a feast in this local bull’s-eye is essential. There is a good selection of gin – but rum is the surprise hit in the winter months. 

18 The Quay, Wells-next-the-Sea NR23 1AH

What I’m drinking A glass of Diplomatico rum, £4.75.

58. The Fat Cat Brewery Tap

Norwich

An excellent beer shrine run by Mark White and his wife Laura Hedley. The award-winning range is outstanding and the cheeseboards are ruddy epic. Make your pilgrimage.

98-100 Lawson Rd, Norwich NR3 4LF

What I’m drinking Dark beer – if it’s on, Titanic Brewery Plum Porter Grand Reserve, £4.

59. The Moon And Mushroom

Swilland, Suffolk

A tucked-away local near my friends Mark & Anna, this Suffolk hideaway is mysteriously alluring. I come here for the real ales – pretty sure it was the venue for my first pint of Wherry brewed over the border in Norfolk. High Rd, Swilland IP6 9LR

What I’m drinking Earl Soham’s Victoria Bitter, £3.80.

60. Low House

Laxfield, Suffolk

Also goes by the name The King’s Head. This dog-friendly pub is as dreamy and mellow as the beers served from its tap room. Since May 2018 it’s been a free house and the beers couldn’t be better looked after. 

Gorams Mill Lane, Laxfield IP13 8DW

What I’m drinking Adnams Best, £3.30. 

North East and North West

Tom’s Picks 

61. The Broad Chare

Newcastle

Downstairs is a place for a decent pint. House ales are from Wylam Valley, and a local own-label brew. And with the great Terry Laybourne watching over the menu, the food is predictably good. Mince and dumplings, braised oxtail, steak and kidney pudding and chicken, mushroom and bacon pie… and that’s just the daily specials,

25 Broad Chare, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 3DQ

What I’m eating toasted Montgomery’s Cheddar and onion sandwich, £4.50

62. Free Trade Inn

Newcastle

The pub may have a wonderful view over the Tyne, but beer is the star here. Mainly local keg and cask ales, with a few guests in too. And some good cider. The jukebox is possibly the best in the country, while there are two beer gardens. The food stretches to good sandwiches and pies, but not much else besides. A true Newcastle gem.

12 St Lawrence Rd, Newcastle upon Tyne NE6 1AP

What I’m eating Amble butcher’s pie, £3.50

63. Royal George

Staithes

The Royal George is small but perfectly formed with coal fires, real ales and decent food. And only 100 yards from the sea too. You’ll also find local crab sandwiches, steak and ale pie and decent fish and chips.

Cleveland Corner, High St, Staithes, Saltburn-by-the-Sea TS13 5BH

What I’m eating crab sandwiches

64. Whitelock’s Ale House

Leeds

Built in 1715, Whitelock’s is the oldest public house in Leeds. And it’s handsome as hell, brimming with late Victorian and Edwardian charm, all stained-glass windows, coal fires, polished wood and pretty mosaics. Twelve cask ales, and two kegs, plus proper pub food.

Turk’s Head Yard, Leeds LS1 6HB

What I’m eating pork and black pudding Scotch duck egg, £5.50

65. The White Horse Inn (aka ‘Nellies’)

Beverley, Yorks

The White Horse, better known as ‘Nellies’, was originally a 17th-century coaching inn, it still has gas lights, chandeliers, snugs, stone flagged corridors and open fires. Tables are marble topped, the chairs ancient but padded, and there’s a feeling of a place stuck in a time warp. A good one. The food is nothing to write home about but the Samuel Smith’s draught Old Brewery bitter is cheap and decent. 

22 Hengate, Beverley HU17 8BN

What I’m eating Decent pub pork pies and sausage rolls

66. Freemasons

Wiswell

A mix of country pub and shooting lodge, this Ribble Valley beauty is an award winning pub that melds local with some serious cooking. So there are summer barbecues, Sarsons on the table and ‘chippy teas’ alongside Chef proprietor Steven Smith’s resolutely modern menus. Good beers too, and great value. In the words of Smith, ‘an exceptional dining experience, but without the formality.’ Damned good bitter too.

8 Vicarage Fold, Wiswell, Clitheroe BB7 9DF

What I’m eating Smoked wild hare

67. The Circus

Manchester

The smallest pub in Manchester, with one of the smallest bars in the country. But small doesn’t mean second-rate. Hell no. It’s owned by Tetley’s brewery and there are fireplaces, wooden panelling and sash windows. But not enough room for queuing up at the bar. So it’s table service only for the 45 or so lucky punters who find their way inside.

86 Portland St, Manchester M1 4GX

What I’m eating No food, but a pint of Tetley’s. Obviously. 

68. The Star Inn 

Harome, North Yorkshire 

With its thatched roof and timbered ceilings, The Star may seem like your average cosy British pub, but it’s more than that, as chef/patron Andrew Pern holds a Michelin star. It’s just one of pretty much every award going. Expect modern British food with a Yorkshire burr. 

Main St, Harome, near Helmsley YO62 5JE 

What I’m eating Partridge with truffle bread and butter pudding, £21.  

Partridge with truffle bread and butter pudding at The Star Inn in Harome, North Yorkshire

Partridge with truffle bread and butter pudding at The Star Inn in Harome, North Yorkshire

69. City Arms

Manchester

Eight hand pulls, mainly local ales, at this cosy two-room pub. But there are leather banquettes, stained-glass windows and the feeling of an old-fashioned boozer. At lunch there’s a menu, but hot pies are available all day. Along with pickled eggs. In a world of chain pubs, The City Arms offers the real thing.

46-48 Kennedy St, Manchester M2 4BQ

What I’m eating Gammon and egg, £6.75. 

70. Philharmonic Dining Rooms 

Liverpool 

Better known as ‘The Phil’, this stunner of a Liverpool city-centre pub sits opposite the Philharmonic Hall. And it’s the most handsome of pubs, with high ceilings, repoussé copper panels, mosaics, mahogany and stained glass. And two smaller, snug rooms named Brahms and Liszt. Geddit? 

36 Hope St, Liverpool L1 9BX 

What I’m eating Gloucester Old Spot sandwich, £6.95. 

Philharmonic Dining Rooms. Better known as ‘The Phil’, this stunner of a Liverpool city-centre pub sits opposite the Philharmonic Hall

Philharmonic Dining Rooms. Better known as ‘The Phil’, this stunner of a Liverpool city-centre pub sits opposite the Philharmonic Hall

Olly’s picks 

71. The Drunken Duck

Barngates, Ambleside

Because of its superb reputation for splendid food, come early for brunch or lunch (which you can’t book for) or book in advance for dinner. This former farmhouse with its Barnsgate microbrewery that names its beers after former pets is known locally as The Duck and has a great sense of refined character. Check the website for tempting seasonal offers to stay.

Barngates, Ambleside LA22 0NG

What I’m drinking Barngates Cracker Ale, £4.

72. Tower Bank Arms

Near Sawrey, Lake District

Just in front of Hilltop, Beatrix Potter’s cottage, the sloping roof on this hidden gem is as relaxed as the atmosphere inside. With organic soft drinks and great local beers, your best bet is to grab a table beside the fire and settle in to sample the lot. The pub’s original slate floor is a reminder of its 17th-century roots – and it even features in the Beatrix Potter classic, Jemima Puddleduck!

Near Sawrey, Ambleside, Cumbria LA22 0LF

What I’m drinking Windermere Pale Ale, £3.80.

73. Shoulder of Mutton

Middleton Tyas, North Yorks

Passing Scotch Corner Services? Dive in here to find a cosy, dog-friendly pub with a seriously tasty steak and ale pie. I spent several happy hours here during the wedding weekend of my mates James and Zoe, and the range of beers served us fabulously. Skip the services, bring the dog and warm up here. 

Middleton Tyas, Richmond DL10 6QX

What I’m drinking Black Sheep ale, £3.40.

74. Harrogate Tap

Harrogate, North Yorks

Leaving beautiful Harrogate is always tinged with sadness. But dropping in to the Harrogate Tap at the station makes it feel all right. You can get there via Platform 1 (or Station Parade) and you really should, for the discreet grandeur of the panelling, curvy leather banquets and huge range of world beers.

Harrogate Station, Station Parade, Harrogate HG1 1TE

What I’m drinking Roosters Baby-Faced Assassin, £4.30.

75. The Blue Lion

East Witton, North Yorks

Log fire, cosy settees, epic food? I’m in. The Blue Lion, a former shooting lodge, is down the road from Masham – home to the Black Sheep brewery, which is well worth a visit. The original sign is still carefully preserved on the front of the pub, which inside has a fun wine list with fairly priced house wines made by prestigious Mas de Daumas Gassac served by the bottle, glass, carafe or even magnum. 

Main Road, East Witton, Nr Leyburn DL8 4SN

What I’m drinking The fine house red, £5.95 (175ml).

76. Fanny’s Ale House

Shipley, Bradford

The nooks and crannies of Fanny’s Ale House are rightly famous and the fires, together with gas lights, warm-coloured walls adorned with pub memorabilia and decent selection of drinks, is the recipe for a no-frills boozer that lifts the spirits. Real ales and cider are both brilliant, but don’t miss their growing selection of craft beers too.

63 Saltaire Rd, Shipley BD18 3JN

What I’m drinking Timothy Taylor’s Landlord, £3.35.

77. The Craven Arms

Appletreewick, North Yorks

Once seen, the heather-thatched cruck (curved timber) barn behind the pub, built in 2006, is never forgotten! Said to be the first cruck to be built since the reign of Henry VIII, it’s the event space for the Craven, and well worth a look. As for the pub itself, gas lighting, real fires and a cellar for cask-conditioning all make it worth the trip to Wharfedale.

Appletreewick, Wharfedale, Yorkshire Dales BD23 6DA

What I’m drinking Theakstons Old Peculier, £5. 

78. The Blues Bar 

Harrogate, North Yorks 

Not technically a cosy pub, but it’s brilliant so I’m sticking it in anyway. More of a music venue, it’s the warmth of this compact place, together with the decent drinks, that gets my vote. When I was there the band was brilliant, the beer tasted epic and I left grinning like I’d just swallowed summertime. 

4 Montpellier Parade, Harrogate HG1 2TJ 

What I’m drinking Roosters Highway 51, £3.30. 

The Blues Bar in Harrogate, North Yorkshire. More of a music venue, it’s the warmth of this compact place, together with the decent drinks, that gets my vote

The Blues Bar in Harrogate, North Yorkshire. More of a music venue, it’s the warmth of this compact place, together with the decent drinks, that gets my vote

79. Beermoth Cafe

Manchester

Modern and magical, this is one of my favourite places to drink in Britain. Booths are snug, snacks are good, and setting cosiness aside, the beer is among the best-kept and the bottles list is epic. Sourced from around the world with some rare bottles as well as home-grown favourites, this place rightly gets busy – my tip is to head there mid-afternoon. Follow @CB_cellar on Twitter for instant updates of which beers are on and off.

Brown St, Manchester M2 1DA

What I’m drinking Crooked Stave St Bretta Pomelo. One of my favourite US breweries – sour, funky and fruity. And worth the hefty price of £14.15!

80. Marble Arch

Manchester

I once spent a memorable evening with Oz Clarke drinking in this Grade II-listed Mancunian landmark and we both agreed the beer was special. The original home of the Marble Brewery with nine hand pulls, eight kegs and various ciders, it’s hard to fault the drinks in this characterful refuge. It’s stacked with period features such as the mosaic floor, which contrasts with the open kitchen serving bang-up-to-date cooking. A gem.

73 Rochdale Rd, Manchester M4 4HY

What I’m drinking Manchester Bitter, £3.40. 

Scotland and Northern Ireland

Tom’s picks 

81. Crosskeys Inn

County Antrim

Both Ireland’s oldest thatched pub (it was built in 1654) and famed for its live traditional music, The Crosskeys is an hour from Belfast, and has peat burning fires, good Guinness, endless antiques, sandwiches, steak and even the occasional eel dinner (the critters are caught in nearby Lough Neagh). Settle in for a proper session.

40 Grange Rd, Toomebridge, Antrim BT41 3QB

What I’m eating Irish stew, £7.95

82. The Crown Liquor Saloon

Belfast

A glorious Victorian gin palace, this Belfast classic has it all – elaborate tiling, stained glass, mosaic floor and masses of carved wood. But despite its size, The Crown somehow manages to remain cosy. You’ll find well-kept cask ales (Nicholson’s Pale Ale), and, like in all Nicholson’s pubs, decent chops and sausages. But go for the atmosphere, that is as intoxicating as it is inspiring.

46 Great Victoria St, Belfast BT2 7BA

What I’m eating Scampi and chips, £9.75

The Crown Liquor Saloon in  Belfast. A glorious Victorian gin palace, this Belfast classic has it all – elaborate tiling, stained glass, mosaic floor and masses of carved wood

The Crown Liquor Saloon in  Belfast. A glorious Victorian gin palace, this Belfast classic has it all – elaborate tiling, stained glass, mosaic floor and masses of carved wood

83. Kelly’s Cellars

Belfast

It might not be the most elegant of Belfast’s many pubs, but Kelly’s Cellars (often known as Smelly Kelly’s), is one of the oldest, built in 1720. The walls are whitewashed, the floors uneven, but there’s an open fire, good ale and usually a singalong or two. Plus it’s a famed music venue, with an ever-revolving cast of guest bands.

30-32 Bank St, Belfast BT1 1HL

What I’m eating The beef stew, £3.95

84. The Copper Dog

Craigellachie, Speyside

Right in the centre of whisky country, this is the best pub in town, small, with low ceilings and a feeling of genuine hospitality. You’ll find two cask ales, an incredible selection of whisky, some decent cocktails and seriously impressive food. There’s a crackling fire in winter, a sun terrace for the warmer months and the option, if you feel the urge, to visit some of the most famous distilleries on Earth.

Victoria Street, Craigellachie, Speyside, AB38 9SR

What I’m eating Fresh langoustines, £XX

85. The Boat Inn

Aboyne

Perched on the banks of the River Dee, in the heart of Royal Deeside, The Bell Inn is an upmarket boozer with very good food. Wood-burning fires, real ales, endless whiskies, stuffed stags’ heads and wood burning stoves. This is Scotland in comfort, but you’re as welcome to stop by for a pint as you are to book in and stay for three days.

Charlestown Rd, Aboyne AB34 5EL

What I’m eating Beef and haggis pie, £10

86. The Clachaig Inn

Argyll

Clachaig has been slaking thirsts for over 300 years, and is in the heart of Glencoe. There are three separate bars, with log fires, rough stone floors, cask conditioned ales and more Scotch that you can shake a Sporran at. It’s also famed for its live music, but for a bit of peace with your pint, escape to The Snug. Decent Scottish scran too.

Ballachulish PH49 4LA

What I’m eating Stornoway Black Pudding, £6.45

87. The Dreel Tavern

Anstruther

The Dreel Tavern has been serving Anstruther happily for many years, with its rough stone walls, large fire, cask beer on rotation and lots on draught. Throw in their beautiful beer garden, overlooking the Dreel burn and some decent food, and you have a pub in which you want to linger.

16 High St W, Anstruther KY10 3DL

What I’m eating Haggis bon bons in peppercorn sauce, £5 

The Dreel Tavern in Anstruther. The Dreel Tavern has been serving Anstruther happily for many years, with its rough stone walls, large fire, cask beer on rotation and lots on draught

The Dreel Tavern in Anstruther. The Dreel Tavern has been serving Anstruther happily for many years, with its rough stone walls, large fire, cask beer on rotation and lots on draught

88. The Ship Inn Elie, Fife 

A handsome pub with a cricket pitch on the beach in front. Fixtures are tide-dependent. There’s also a terrace overlooking the sand, with barbecues in summer and fires in winter. The bar is filled with real ale and Scottish malts, making this a comfortably upmarket seaside pub. 

The Toft, Elie, Leven KY9 1DT 

What I’m eating A bowl of Cullen Skink, £6.95. 

89. The Oxford Bar

Edinburgh

Probably best known for being John Rebus’s favourite Edinburgh boozer, The Ox is a place where locals and Rankin fans drink happily together. It’s long attracted writers and artists, drawn to its small, compartmented rooms and its austere but warm charm. There’s real ale at this classic pub, one entirely unaffected by its international fame.

8 Young Street, Edinburgh EH2 4JB

What I’m eating Nuts and crisps. This place is for boozing, not eating. 

90. The Bridge Inn

Ratho, Midlothian

At The Bridge you’ll find lots of decent Scottish ales, endless whiskies, a crackling fire and homemade pork scratchings. Plus high-end pub grub, using their own pork and vegetables.

27 Baird Rd, Ratho, Newbridge EH28 8RA

What I’m eating Trio of pork, £21.

Olly’s picks

91. Whites Tavern

Belfast

Since 1630 the booze is said to have flowed from this site. It wasn’t that long ago that I swung by after hosting a wine event locally and the range of bottles behind the bar is impressive – especially if whiskey is your thing. 

2-4 Winecellar Entry, Belfast BT1 1QN

What I’m drinking A large glass of Bushmills Irish whiskey, £3.70.

92. The Lounge

Lerwick, Shetland

Top of my list to visit, in part due to my great-great-granny being a Shetlander, but also for the compact lively feel of this legendary lounge. With live music upstairs, the fire is burning and it’s a welcome refuge on a brisk wintry day.

4 Mounthooly St, Lerwick, Shetland ZE1 0BJ

What I’m drinking Lerwick 60 Degrees North beer, £3.80.

93. The Moulin Inn

Pitlochry, Perthshire

The doors have been open since 1695, and since 1995 the nearby brewery has been pumping beer. I was struck by the sheer history of the place. It’s all wood and fireplaces with comfortably cushioned seats and the odd flourish of stained glass.

11-13 Kirkmichael Rd, Moulin, Pitlochry PH16 5EW

What I’m drinking Ale of Atholl, £3.60.

94. Auchterarder 70

Gleneagles, Perthshire

I’m lucky enough to have stayed at Gleneagles before. The Auchterarder 70 bar is a recent development that takes its name from the old phone number for Gleneagles. It overlooks the 18th hole, and inside, the dark wood and leather chairs are cosy and classy, as is the food.

Auchterarder Perthshire PH3 1NF

What I’m drinking Auchterarder 70 craft beer, £5.

95. The Bow Bar

Edinburgh

A stroll down West Bow always makes me feel like celebrating. An essential stop is the Bow Bar with its cheery blue frontage. Inside, cosy and smart, its bar is impeccably laid out. Really interesting beer along with deep drams of whisky make it a must.

80 West Bow, Edinburgh EH1 2HH

What I’m drinking Lagavulin Distillers Edition Pedro Ximénez 16yrs, £11.

96. The Sheep Heid Inn

Edinburgh

When I was a student in Edinburgh, a stroll to this iconic pub was always a joy. These days the cocktails still look mighty tempting. The allure of the curved bar in the snug setting never fails to charm, and then there’s the old skittle alley… 

43-45 The Causeway, Edinburgh EH15 3QA

What I’m drinking Old Fashioned, £9.50.

97. Kay’s Bar

Edinburgh

A tiny, convivial bar on Jamaica Street in Edinburgh’s New Town that specialises in whisky. Sports are on the box if you wish, or tuck into the back room and leaf through ancient copies of Spotlight. The old barrels and red velvet seating are as splendid as the service. 39 Jamaica St, Edinburgh EH3 6HF

What I’m drinking Malt of the Moment, £3.50.

98. The Ben Nevis

Glasgow

I come here for whisky and I never leave disappointed. Can get very busy but weekdays are calm and splendid for cutting into their excellent list. Stone around the place gives a craggy mountain vibe and the folk sessions are fun if you stumble into one.

1147 Argyle St, Glasgow G3 8TB

What I’m drinking Any whisky bottlings they suggest.

99. The Belle

Glasgow

My dear friends Tom and Cathy took me here when they were expecting their first child, and aside from our convivial and celebratory glow, the warm atmosphere of The Belle has stayed with me. A fire burning in winter with good craft beers and a homely feel are good reasons to pop in.

617 Great Western Rd, Glasgow G12 8HX

What I’m drinking Easy Trail IPA, £4.60.

100. The Bonnie Badger

Gullane, East Lothian

I’m picking out this Gullane makeover as a future winner. Just open, it’s been refurbished and designed by Tom Kitchin’s wife Michaela. I don’t feel I’m going out on a limb here when I say the food will be ruddy epic.

Main Street, Gullane EH31 2AB

What I’m drinking Any beer by Harviestoun. 

 

 

 

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