Britain’s Very Best Pubs & Inns

A proper British pub is more than somewhere to drink a pint. It’s a refuge, a gathering place, a keeper of local stories. The best pubs marry genuine hospitality with real character – whether that’s ancient oak beams, a roaring inglenook fire, or a kitchen turning out thoughtful, seasonal food that speaks to its surroundings. In recent years, the pub with rooms has become a refuge of its own: a place where you can escape to the countryside, eat exceptionally well, and sleep between fine linens, all without sacrificing the warmth and informality that makes the British pub so appealing.

Below, we’ve gathered 20 exceptional pubs and inns across Britain. You’ll find intimate village locals where regulars are welcomed by name, grand coaching inns that have hosted centuries of travellers, and modern takes on the pub that prove the format is far from tired.

The Bradley Hare Inn – Maiden Bradley, Wiltshire

Opened in February 2026, this stylish country inn in the small village of Maiden Bradley is the latest addition to the Beckford Group, whose properties include The Beckford Arms, The Bath Arms and The Talbot Inn. Surrounded by the West Wiltshire Downs, the location is the big thing here, with lots of fabulous walks – plus the liveliness of Frome, Bruton and Bath are within easy reach. That said, you’ll find it hard to leave. It’s all super cosy with centuries-old oak furniture, a charming sitting room with roaring fires and deep antique chairs, alongside a terrace and small garden. Set within the pub and the Coach House, there are 12 beautifully appointed bedrooms. Each has sumptuous beds with Siberian goose down duvets, 18th- and 19th-century pieces and grand rolltop baths with Bramley products. Don’t miss the little larder, stocked with the best local produce. The food is excellent: headed up by chef Jack Kelly, the kitchen serves classic seasonal pub food shaped by the South West larder – plus a well-stocked bar of local beers and world-class wines to boot. Be sure to sleep it off, as morning promises a hearty breakfast spread.

Doubles from £150; +44 (0)1985 801018; bradleyhare.com

The Cat Inn – West Hoathly, West Sussex

A spell at The Cat will leave you purring with contentment. With its regulars chatting at the bar, its blazing fire in the huge inglenook, its hops, pewter tankards, and mix of airy and cosy dining areas, this early 16th-century, timber-framed village inn exudes character and bonhomie. Landlord Andrew Russell, previously the general manager at nearby Gravetye Manor, combines professionalism with a natural air for people. As for the food from chef duo Scott Ryan and Simon Coote, there’s no trumpeting or fuss and as a result, its superb quality is all the more delightful. ‘I recommend the pie and chips,’ says Russell – and what a steak, mushroom and ale pie it is. Leave space for a homemade pud, too: perhaps dark chocolate tart or apple, pear and blackberry nut crumble. Upstairs there are four attractive bedrooms: one is a suite with a dining area; another has a view of the pretty church. In the morning, after a sophisticated breakfast worthy of Gravetye, follow the path through the churchyard for a spectacular view across the valley or spend the day visiting the many beautiful gardens and vineyards nearby.

Doubles from £180; +44 (0)1342 810369; catinn.co.uk

The Bull Inn – Totnes, Devon

This radically ethical pub with rooms at the top of Totnes High Street is run with a people-and-planet-first ethos and guided by a triumvirate of its own ‘no-bull rules’ for how to dine, trade and work in the most eco-minded way possible. That means organic beer and wine alongside simple, seasonal veg-led food (grown not flown), day-boat fish and ‘mindful meat’ for the daily changing menu in the restaurant. Highlights include hogget chop with whipped tahini, chilli honey, sumac onions and dukkah, or pollock with fennel, chicory and pangrittata. Opposite the pub is also the recently-opened Albatross Pizza Shop, which serves a fabulous seasonal menu which changes weekly. Nine sustainably designed rooms feature lime-plastered walls, reclaimed furniture, reworked vintage fabrics, handmade tiles, organic mattresses and linens, and artisan-made lighting. None of this comes as a surprise when you learn that the owner is Geetie Singh-Watson, who opened the world’s first officially organic pub, The Duke of Cambridge in Islington, in 1998. For families, there is The Albatross, a four-bedroom, self-catering apartment across the road with a private terrace.

Doubles from £130; +44 (0)1803 640040; bullinntotnes.co.uk

The Collective at Woolsery – Woolsery, Devon

Set in the pretty village of Woolsery in North Devon, The Collective is the genius creation of tech entrepreneurs Michael and Xochi Birch. In 2018, the couple transformed local pub The Farmers Arms into a fantastic restaurant, steeped in humour and style. Since then, they have breathed new life into the local chippy, village store and Post Office and a 150 acre farm. There are a handful of beautiful cottages, suites and rooms housed in village buildings, from the retro-feminine Shop Suite 1 with its fabulous pastel palette to a former smithy-turned-contemporary cottage for two. Families will love Hillside Cottage, with its four roomy bedrooms. Foodies are kept happy: headed up by chef Toby Neal, the kitchen knocks out unapologetically British classics on the Pub Menu and pulls out all the stops on the five-course Birch Farm Tasting Menu, using produce foraged or straight from the farm. Don’t miss the sharing style Sunday Lunch. Locally brewed ales and beers alongside unusual wines, seasonal cocktails and soft drinks crafted from own-made syrups and cordials line the cosy bar. The picturesque towns of Bideford, Barnstaple and Bude are also nearby.

Doubles from £220; +44 (0)1237 488480; woolsery.com

Coorie Inn Restaurant & Rooms – Muthill, Crieff

Nestled in Muthill, a historic village in the foothills of the Scottish Highlands, this former 18th-century coaching inn has nailed that wonderful balance of being somewhere a little less formal yet with elegant bedrooms and top-notch cuisine. Six stylish bedrooms feature plush beds and stunning en-suite bathrooms, each beautifully furnished with quirky accents and elegant touches, complementing a rich colour scheme. There are cots available for babies and well-behaved dogs are welcome too. Its award-winning AA rosette restaurant features local fare with a creative twist, using locally sourced ingredients, including catch of the day from the local fish market. In the morning, a hearty Scottish breakfast will set you up for the day and to tackle one of the stunning hikes nearby. There’s also the grouse moor – keen shots will appreciate the police-approved gun cupboard on site. The world-famous Gleneagles Estate is a stone’s throw away for a round of golf. Afterwards, unwind with a local beer beside a roaring fire in the bar. The friendly staff top it off, offering menu recommendations, wine pairings, and insider tips on the area.

Doubles from £190; +44 (0)1764 681773; coorie-inn.com

The Felin Fach Griffin – Brecon, Powys

This was the first of Edmund and Charles Inkin’s three wonderfully unpretentious and enjoyable establishments. Set amid magnificent scenery between the Black Mountains and the Brecon Beacons, the old inn has become a sanctuary for food lovers, walkers and bookish visitors to nearby Hay-on-Wye. Guests love the honest simplicity and warm welcome, along with the colourful and comfortable interiors. Ground-floor public rooms – such as the Library, Tack Room and Aga Room – offer cosy retreats, while upstairs, the bedrooms boast the best beds around, complete with Welsh blankets and British-produced, natural Refia products in the bathrooms. Curl up with a book, listen to your Roberts Radio or gaze out at the hills (room eight, at the top of the building, offers a glorious vantage point over the fields beyond). After a refined dinner cooked by head chef Gwenann Davies, featuring the finest local ingredients and a fantastic wine list, you will head to bed with a big smile on your face. And don’t miss Bottle Shop Tuesdays, where you can try lovely wines for less.

Doubles from £185; +44 (0)1874 620111; felinfachgrifin.co.uk

The Gunton Arms – Thorpe Market, Norfolk

Set on the edge of a private deer park within the Gunton Estate, this pub with rooms has been reimagined with remarkable flair. Originally the steward’s house, it was transformed in 2011 by art dealer Ivor Braka, with interiors by the late Robert Kime. Behind its gabled flint façade, the pub strikes a balance between rustic grandeur and eccentricity. Rooms are layered with rich textiles and antique furnishings, offset with contemporary art by Tracey Emin, Damien Hirst and Lucian Freud. Bathrooms, clad in reclaimed marble sourced from historic Alexandrian villas, add a note of quiet indulgence. At its heart lies the dining room: centred around an open fire, this is where head chef Stuart Tattersall oversees a daily changing menu rooted in the best of Norfolk’s larder, while his wife, Simone, leads the front of house. Expect estate-reared venison, organic produce from the pub’s walled garden, and seafood from the nearby coast (such as Cromer crab). Cooking is confident and elemental, allowing exceptional ingredients to speak for themselves, while long, sharing tables create a convivial yet quietly refined atmosphere.

Doubles from £200; +44 (0)1263 832010; theguntonarms.co.uk

The Horse & Groom – East Ashling, West Sussex

The Horse & Groom is renowned for its delicious food, served in the dining room which has a backdrop of mid 20th-century paintings, a handcrafted oak floor, and interesting collections of Italian sardine pots and vintage gardening books. This centuries-old former blacksmith’s shop turned public house was restored by John Ayton and his wife Annoushka Ducas. There are ten cosy rooms, all with traditional oak furniture, exposed wooden beams, a palette of soft, calming hues and original artwork from the owners’ collection. Guests can polish off dishes such as Calcot Farm 40-day air-dried steaks or a Sunday roast with all the trimmings. The locals’ bar, with its stone floors, pine tables and welcoming fire, offers superb beers on tap, including Hip Hop, a hoppy ale from Langham Brewers of Petworth. Located in East Ashling, four miles west of Chichester on the edge of the South Downs National Park, The Horse & Groom is very popular with walkers and those attending local highlights such as Glorious Goodwood, Goodwood Revival, Chichester Festival Theatre or Pallant House.

Doubles from £147.50; +44 (0)1243 575339; thehorseandgroom.pub

The Harcourt Arms – Stanton Harcourt, Cotswolds

Just a short drive from Oxford, this 17th-century pub sits in the charming Oxfordshire village of Stanton Harcourt. While it ticks all the boxes of a lovely village pub – cosy nooks and crannies, roaring log fires and wood burners – it has the feel of a stylish, baronial countryside manor. The 12 rooms are comfortable and cosy: the family room sleeps four; accessible Burford has direct access to the garden; two suites, including the regal Blenheim, feature beamed vaulted ceilings, leather sofas and wooden four-poster beds. The atmosphere is both rarified and relaxing. Sink into a sofa by the fire to enjoy a cocktail, glass of wine or one of the many fine ales on offer. When you feel peckish, order classic dishes like spatchcock poussin or bar snacks such as the renowned wild boar Scotch egg with piccalilli, which you can eat on the charming summer terraces. Service and attention to detail is excellent, and as the gateway to the Cotswolds, there is plenty to do – from pottering around towns like Witney and Burford to concerts at Blenheim Palace and retail therapy at Bicester Village.

Doubles from £110; +44 (0)1865 416516; theharcourtarms.com

The Merry Harriers – Godalming, Surrey

Set within the pretty village of Hambledon in the Surrey Hills, this historic pub was given a new lease of life at the end of 2023 when it was taken over by Alex Winch and Sam Fiddian-Green – best known as owners of the nearby, beloved Hilltop Kitchen. At The Merry Harriers, guests can expect farm-to-fork dining centred around local and seasonal produce (including from the pub’s own farm) and a daily changing menu inspired by British classics. At the bar, choose from award-winning ales, innovative cocktails and a carefully curated wine list celebrating the best vineyards around the world. All this is underpinned by Fiddian-Green’s experience as a pastry chef at a two Michelin-starred restaurant in Denmark, and Winch’s time as a sommelier as well as manager of London’s Portland Restaurant. The pub has 14 rooms: four on the first floor, with ancient oak beams and contemporary furnishings; five garden rooms adjacent to the large garden; and five shepherd’s huts. During the day, there are plenty of wonderful walks – plus the National Trust’s Winkworth Arboretum and the beautiful town of Godalming are nearby.

Doubles from £160; +44 (0)1428 682883; merryharriers.com

The Methuen Arms – Corsham, Wiltshire

Standing on Corsham’s charming high street, this characterful coaching inn is an ideal gateway to the Wiltshire countryside, whether you want to spend your days on dog walks in Corsham Park or visiting nearby Bath. The building’s handsome façade is Georgian, just like many of its neighbours’, including the stately home and beautiful grounds of Corsham Court next door. Food is front and centre here, with a focus on local and seasonal produce (much of which is sourced from the on-site kitchen garden) and an innovative take on pub classics. Spend your stay in one of 19 bedrooms, each reassuringly calm with comfy armchairs and Roberts radios. Outside, a pergola-covered and heated terrace, donned with festoon lights and foliage, is the perfect spot for al fresco drinking and dining. And while there might be a convivial buzz in the bar downstairs (where the Duke of Edinburgh once played skittles and darts with his compatriots from the HMS Arthur naval training school in Corsham), all is cool and harmonious in the decoration: think Farrow & Ball colours, stone and wood floors, tweed cushions and leather banquettes.

Doubles from £125; +44 (0)1249 717060; themethuenarms.co.uk

The Riverside At Aymestrey – Leominster, Herefordshire

On the banks of the River Lugg, this attractive black-and-white-timbered, 16th-century inn offers guests the perfect opportunity to unwind. The six original bedrooms are homely and comfortable, but the three beautifully designed garden rooms – with all creature comforts and full of character – are stand-out. Each has its own veranda overlooking the glorious, unspoiled Herefordshire countryside. At the central point of the scenic Mortimer Trail, The Riverside is ideally located for walkers; it’s also perfectly positioned for fishing. But what people really come here for is the food. Chef-patron Andy Link, a star of the local Slow Food movement, grows 50 different fruits and vegetables and specialises in cooking with the best Herefordshire, Shropshire, and Welsh-border produce. His creative touch with local crops shines through in treats such as hay and meadowsweet ice cream and lavender fudge. The hotel has just taken things to another level with Wild Escapes, a new eco spa and retreat – unwind in the hot tub surrounded by nature, detox in the wood-fired sauna, or treat yourself to a full body massage with herbs from the garden.

Doubles from £110; +44 (0)1568 708440; riversideaymestrey.co.uk

The Rose & Crown – Romaldkirk, County Durham

Anyone seeking a traditional English inn should look no further than The Rose & Crown in the picturesque village of Romaldkirk. Run by the Robinson family, who also own the popular County Durham hotel Headlam Hall, this 18th-century coaching inn continues to do what it has always done so well: fine hospitality in a beautiful rural location. It is ideal for visiting Barnard Castle, walking in the Dales countryside, mountain biking through Hamsterley Forest and fly fishing on the River Tees (tuition can be arranged). Great food is at the inn’s heart and dishes are made with local ingredients: think homemade homity pie, treacle marinated pork chops and smoked red lentil and rosemary soup. In the bar, you’ll find age-old flagstone floors, a beamed ceiling and an open fireplace for hunkering down beside in winter. The 14 bedrooms are split between the main inn (where period features and antiques blend with handmade furniture), the courtyard (these are more contemporary), and 17th-century Monk’s Cottage around the corner, which overlooks a magnificent Saxon church. Well-behaved dogs are welcome.

Doubles from £165; +44 (0)1833 650213; rose-and-crown.co.uk

The Sun Inn – Dedham, Essex

The Sun Inn, on the Essex-Suffolk border in the heart of Constable country, is a charming base from which to explore pretty Dedham Vale. Rent a boat on the River Stour (a five-minute stroll away) or borrow bikes from the pub – staff will even make you a picnic to take with you. The bright yellow façade of this independently owned, handsome old coaching inn beckons you inside, where thick beams, meandering wooden floors, open fires and an elm bar (often lined with locals and their dogs) create a warm atmosphere. There are boules in the garden, magazines and travel books to read, board games to play, and deep sofas to sink into. The seven bedrooms are individually decorated and have centuries-old character and sumptuous beds – the perfect place to unwind. The restaurant’s seasonal, modern British food is big on flavour, inspired by fantastic local produce: think homemade pasta; excellent fish from east coast day boats; local meat, fruit and veg; and game in season. Plus, there’s a stellar selection of local ales and an eclectic wine list brimming with rare finds.

Doubles from £185; +44 (0)1206 323351; thesuninndedham.com

(Dean Hearne)

The Swan Inn – Fittleworth, West Sussex

This restored 14th-century coaching inn hit the headlines for all the right reasons when it re-opened last year. Set in the village of Fittleworth, it was once a favourite haunt for Victorian artists such as JMW Turner and John Constable, who would pay for their lodgings with paintings, some of which still hang in the wood-panelled dining room today. Locals pile in for sensational Sunday lunches and locally brewed beers in the bar, and in summer for wood-fired pizzas and soft serve in the garden. There are ten rooms in the main building, plus two in a converted stable block, each of which have a private garden. All are named after famous former guests (Rudyard Kipling, Edward Elgar, Emmeline Pankhurst) and furnished with a mix of antique furniture, handmade bedframes and Frette linens. Colour palettes – from soft reds, blues and greens to warm neutrals – are calming; beautiful wallpapers and British fabrics feel sumptuous. Breakfast takes place in The Barn overlooking the courtyard, which has a log-burning stove for winter. Petworth is only a fifteen minute drive away, a town best known for its treasure trove-like antiques shops.

Doubles from £195; +44 (0)1798 697030; swaninnfittleworth.com

The Wellington Arms – Baughurst, Hampshire

There’s something pretty special about The Welly, which celebrated its 21st anniversary last year. Thought to have originated as the Duke of Wellington’s hunting lodge on the edge of his Stratfield Saye estate, it’s now a real foodies’ pub, owned and run with great charm by Jason King (award-winning chef) and Simon Page (front of house). Set in countryside on the Hampshire/Berkshire border, it has a prolific kitchen garden and a field where hens, bees, sheep, geese and pigs are kept. The dining room – there are just 12 highly prized tables – is delightfully informal. King uses homegrown ingredients in most of his carefully prepared, country-style dishes. There are four bedrooms: the Apartment is a one-bedroom suite above the pub; there are two guest rooms in a converted 17th century oak-framed, brick and timber hay store; and the Cart House is a green oak barn. They have all the extras, from rain showers with Aesop products to Nespresso coffee machines and excellent beds dressed in top quality linen. Breakfast is a feast, with eggs straight from their hens and divine tea cosies knitted by Page’s mum. Who could ask for more?

Doubles from £160; +44 (0)1189 820110; thewellingtonarms.com

The Village Pub – Barnsley, Gloucestershire

The first PIG pub – and a gorgeous one. Just four miles from the market town of Cirencester, this Grade II-listed inn is right in the middle of the countryside and is filled with oak-beamed ceilings and roaring open fireplaces. The pub started life as three cottages, which were converted in the early 18th century. Today, there are six gorgeous bedrooms tucked into the eaves, plus three-bedroom Home Farm House. Perfect for families, it has a farmhouse kitchen, cosy sitting room, garden and games room. The food is proper pub food done very well: tuck into bangers and mash, smoked haddock fish cakes and pork chops with brandy sauce (Thursday steak nights are also particularly popular). All are complemented by local ales straight from the barrel, ice-cold IPAs and Guinness on draft, and a serious wine list to match. For breakfast, a traditional full English sets you up for the day. The PIG – In The Cotswolds is just across the lane, where you can enjoy a treatment at the magical spa or book a table at the restaurant, with its superb ’25-mile’ menu. Bibury, Burford and Bourton-on-the-Water are all within striking distance for exploring.

Doubles from £165; +44 (0)1285 740421; thevillagepub.co.uk

The White Hart Inn – Mersea Island, Essex

This pub with rooms reopened in June 2022 after a seven-month refurbishment following its nine-year closure. It is part of the same family as cheerily yellow-fronted The Sun Inn, Dedham. Located on England’s most easterly inhabited island, it sits opposite the church green, just minutes from the beach. Six cosseting, colourful rooms (one has a sea view, others look over the green) all have superking beds, huge walk-in showers and contemporary local art. The seasonally changing menu features local ingredients: oysters and seafood, fruit and vegetables grown on the island, and meat from East Anglia. Highlights are Mersea skate with samphire, Jerusalem artichoke, and caper butter; wild mushroom ravioli with black cabbage; wild duck with mulberries; and Sunday roasts. Relax in the snug or head out to explore, from beach strolls and a circuit of the island (around four hours) to boat trips, watersports and birdwatching. There are also bikes to borrow and car charging on site. Do check the hotel website before setting off – high tide cuts off the island from the mainland once a day.

Doubles from £185; +44 (0)1206 583212; whitehartinnmersea.co.uk

The White Horse – Chilgrove, West Sussex

Less than 15 minutes’ drive from Chichester, this recently refurbished, dog-friendly pub with rooms sits in the village of Chilgrove in the beautiful South Downs, surrounded by countryside. The look in the 15 bedrooms is rustic elegance meets contemporary design: botanical-pattern headboards, velvet cushions and sleek tiled bathrooms with Bramley products. Downstairs, food runs the gamut from Scotch eggs (washed down with a pint of Butcombe Brewery’s award-winning ale) to Sunday lunches, pub classics and mains that include Cornbury estate venison haunch with salt-baked celeriac, and pork rib-eye with green peppercorn, caper and walnut sauce. For special occasions and larger gatherings, the private dining room in the converted barn seats 14, or you can take over the garden for supper and a spot of croquet in the summer. It’s also a very handy base for sporting events at Goodwood Estate, beach days at sandy West Wittering, and exploring the many local cycling and walking trails. Breakfast – whether a bacon butty, shakshouka or full English – will set you up nicely for the day.

Doubles from £110; +44 (0)1243 519444; whitehorsechilgrove.co.uk

The Wild Rabbit – Kingham, Oxfordshire

This beautiful 17th-century inn, built from golden Cotswold stone, is an idyllic place to dine, drink and sleep. Slow luxury is at the heart of The Wild Rabbit, with nature and sustainability in every detail (the pub is powered by 100 percent renewable energy). The bar is welcoming with open log fires and comfy armchairs, and is generously stocked with wines from independent vineyards, craft beers and local ales. The dining room serves an imaginative selection of contemporary seasonal dishes. There is an emphasis on local produce – plus a zero-food waste policy. The pub rooms feel warm and welcoming, with hand-picked antiques, organic textiles, books on the shelves and playful linocuts by Hugo Guinness. They offer all the considered touches you would expect from a luxurious stay: fine linen sheets, natural botanical products in the bathroom and other thoughtful additions. There are also 34 traditional stone cottages within a two-mile radius of Daylesford. During your stay, explore Daylesford’s organic farm, its flagship farmshop, Michelin Green Star café, or retreat to the Bamford Wellness Spa.

Doubles from £179; +44 (0)1608 692866; thewildrabbit.co.uk

This feature appears in the 2026/27 Great British & Irish Hotel Guide.