36 of the UK’s best pubs

Words: Will Hawkes

The UK is a good place to be thirsty. With almost 40,000 pubs, there are plenty of places to enjoy a pint. But not all pubs are created equal. The best offer a heady blend of atmosphere, décor, great drinks and a warm welcome. They have a strong sense of tradition yet are fully at home in the modern world. Across 12 regions – and based on our five select criteria – these are the establishments that every visitor to the UK should experience.

London

The Hand & Marigold, SE1

Reopened in 2025, The Hand & Marigold is a Bermondsey stalwart reinvented for the 21st century. Owners Oli Carter-Esdale and Alice Hayward are craft beer veterans, and the quality of the ales served here is excellent. A touch off the beaten track, it’s a lovely welcoming space for a drink with a beautifully decorated interior: check out the marvellous 19th-century parquet floor, salvaged from a building in Essex.

Atmosphere 8/10
Décor 7/10
Drinks 9/10
Sense of place 7/10
Snacks 6/10

The Southampton Arms, NW5

The Southampton Arms might just be the quintessential London pub. There’s great beer and cider at an affordable price, marvellous (albeit largely pork-based) snacks, a soothingly old-fashioned interior and an elegant small garden. Live music adds to rather than eliminates gentle chat, and the welcome extends to all. Opened in 2009, it still seems fresh and appealing.

Atmosphere 8/10
Décor 7/10
Drinks 8/10
Sense of place 9/10
Snacks 9/10

The Coach & Horses, W1

Soho is not short of pubs but many of them are not up to snuff. That cannot be said of The Coach & Horses. This charismatic Greek Street corner pub is famous for the patronage of writers, actors and artists down the years, and you still get a quirkier class of customer. Its former publican Norman Balon styled himself as “London’s rudest landlord”. Current manager Ali Ross is much friendlier. The Coach serves the best cask ale in town.

Atmosphere 9/10 
Décor 8/10
Drinks 7/10
Sense of place 9/10
Snacks 6/10

Book flights to London City, Gatwick or Heathrow 

North East

Free Trade Inn, Newcastle

It doesn’t take long to fall in love with the red-brick Free Trade Inn. One glance at the view over the Tyne should do it. Very few city pubs have a better outlook, and consequently there’s plenty of space to sit outside, but the Free Trade is just as charming inside. The atmosphere is both bohemian and exuberantly Geordie – the perfect blend for a night out in Newcastle.

Atmosphere 9/10
Décor 7/10
Drinks 8/10
Sense of place 8/10
Snacks 7/10

The Victoria Inn, Durham

This charming city has plenty of good pubs, but few match the Grade II-listed Victoria in terms of pure atmosphere. Frequently full of students and lecturers, the vibe is always on the right side of raucous and longstanding landlord Michael Webster is in complete control behind the bar. The two-room interior is a delight, with plenty of cosy little nooks to hide away in.

Atmosphere 9/10
Décor 9/10 
Drinks 7/10
Sense of place 8/10
Snacks 6/10

The Ship Inn, Low Newton, Northumberland

If you fancy a great walk with a beautiful pub at the end, look no further. Northumberland’s coast is one of the UK’s great treasures, and relatively unknown. Indeed, visitors might find they have a huge expanse of sandy beach almost to themselves. The Ship is similarly enticing, with its warm wooden interior, on-site brewery and excellent, simple food. Visit before 3pm to nab a delectable crab sandwich.

Atmosphere 7/10
Décor 7/10
Drinks 7/10
Sense of place 8/10 
Snacks 9/10

Book a flight to Newcastle

North West

Roscoe Head, Liverpool

Liverpool boasts some of Britain’s most magnificent pubs, but in terms of atmosphere the diminutive Roscoe Head beats the lot. One of only five pubs in the UK to have appeared in every edition of CAMRA’s Good Beer Guide, the Roscoe Head is run by landlady Carol Ross, who won a ten-year battle with the pub’s previous owners to prevent it shutting. There are four tiny rooms – the snug at the back being our favourite – and hot pies are served all day.

Atmosphere 8/10
Décor 8/10
Drinks 7/10
Sense of place 8/10
Snacks 8/10

City Arms, Manchester

Manchester is very proud of its pubs, and the City Arms is one of the best for beer. Located on Kennedy Street in the heart of the city, it’s a lively two-room establishment where, on sunny evenings, drinkers spill out on to the street. No wonder it’s a favourite with Manchester United fans looking forward to that evening’s big match – yes, they sometimes lose. You can’t lose with the City Arms, though.

Atmosphere 8/10
Décor 6/10
Drinks 9/10
Sense of place 7/10
Snacks 8/10

The Castle, Macclesfield

With its half-timbered exterior, handpumps and succession of tiny rooms, The Castle on cobbled Church Street is a slice of Merry Old England, albeit a restored version: owners Paul Harrison and Tim Broster rescued it from semi-dereliction after it shut in 2014. A great option for catch-ups with friends, it was recently lauded as “one of the cosiest pubs in England”.

Atmosphere 8/10
Décor 8/10
Drinks 8/10
Sense of place 8/10
Snacks 8/10

Book a flight to Manchester

Yorkshire

Kelham Island Tavern, Sheffield

Kelham Island, a post-industrial chunk of northern Sheffield, has a reasonable claim to be Ground Zero for Britain’s craft-beer revolution. Not only was one of the key early breweries founded here – named, a little unimaginatively, Kelham Island – but there’s also a handful of excellent, long-standing pubs. A favourite is Kelham Island Tavern, which belies its down-to-earth appearance with a bar heaving under the weight of 13 cask-conditioned beers.

Atmosphere 7/10
Décor 6/10
Drinks 9/10
Sense of place 7/10
Snacks 8/10

The George & Dragon, Hudswell, North Yorkshire

You’ll rarely enjoy such a warm welcome in a British pub as at The George & Dragon. Perched at the top of Swaledale, a valley in North Yorkshire, this is a classic village boozer – albeit with much better beer than normal. On any given night, you’ll find locals thronging the main bar and the garden (if the weather is good). The views of the Dales are fantastic.

Atmosphere 9/10
Décor 6/10
Drinks 8/10
Sense of place 8/10
Snacks 7/10

The Fox & Goose, Hebden Bridge, West Yorkshire

You have to walk almost to the edge of Hebden Bridge to find its best pub. The Fox & Goose, the first co-operatively owned pub in West Yorkshire, is appealingly old-fashioned in terms of décor, and it has a remarkable ace up its sleeve. Walk up the stairs to the left of the main bar and you’ll find yourself in the beer garden. It extends up the side of the Calder Valley and offers wonderful vistas.

Atmosphere 8/10
Décor 6/10
Drinks 8/10
Sense of place 8/10
Snacks 7/10

East Midlands

Holly Bush Inn, Makeney, Derbyshire

If you’re looking for one of the cosiest spaces in the UK, look no further. Holly Bush Inn has a lot going for it – immaculate beer, a superb range of pies, proximity to the delightful Peak District – but perhaps its crowning attribute is the snug, situated right in the middle of the pub, which boasts an open range, a quarry-tiled floor and bench seating. It’s tiny, so you’ll have to get there pretty early to secure a spot, but it’s worth it.

Atmosphere 9/10
Décor 9/10
Drinks 9/10
Sense of place 9/10
Snacks 9/10

The Blue Boar, Leicester

Opened in 2016, The Blue Boar has the feel of somewhere much more historic. From the cobs on the bar to maps of Leicester on the wall, it just feels right. On sunny days, the place is full of lively customers quaffing craft cask ales and chatting away – this pub “eschews electrical entertainment”, so conversation is everything.

Atmosphere 8/10
Décor 7/10
Drinks 8/10
Sense of place 7/10
Snacks 8/10

The Strugglers Inn, Lincoln

Why is this pub called The Strugglers? Make the walk up the hill from Lincoln Station to this lovely spot by the castle and see how you feel when you arrive. It’s worth it, though. This is a genuinely marvellous two-room pub dating back to 1841. It’s beautifully laid-out, boasts friendly service and a solo visitor can’t help but chat to other drinkers.

Atmosphere 9/10
Décor 8/10
Drinks 8/10
Sense of place 7/10
Snacks 7/10

West Midlands

The Woodman, Birmingham

Located just yards from HS2’s forthcoming Birmingham terminus, The Woodman is a thoughtfully restored Victorian street-corner classic. The main room snakes around a curved bar, but the real cognoscenti head for the (smokeless) Smoke Room, where you can order through a hatch and listen in as lecturers from the two nearby universities discuss the frustrations of their jobs. Bass beer, beloved of owner John Brearley, is a speciality here.

Atmosphere 9/10
Décor 9/10
Drinks 8/10
Sense of place 8/10
Snacks 9/10

Beacon Hotel, Dudley

Few parts of England boast as many great traditional pubs as the Black Country, and they don’t come much more traditional than the Beacon. All beer is brewed on-site, including a Dark Ruby Mild that has won dozens of awards. The interior is interesting, with a glazed serving compartment at its heart. The sense of tradition extends to the opening hours, as the pub closes in the afternoon. 

Atmosphere 9/10
Décor 8/10
Drinks 8/10
Sense of place 9/10
Snacks 8/10

The Great Western, Wolverhampton

Located yards from Wolverhampton Station, this Tardis-like street-corner pub is a charming spot for a drink. A perhaps inevitable railway theme runs throughout the pub: in the front room for example, there are signs reading ‘Beware of Trains’ and ‘Booking Office and Waiting Room’, plus dozens of photos from the golden age of steam. The pub is owned by Holden’s, a much-loved Black Country brewery, but it also serves Bathams, another local icon. Why not try both?

Atmosphere 7/10
Décor 8/10
Drinks 8/10
Sense of place 8/10
Snacks 8/10

South East

Halfway House, Brenchley, Kent

Sometimes you walk into a pub and feel as if you’ve stepped back in time. The Halfway House, ensconced in a particularly charming bit of the Kent countryside, is like that. The rustic main bar is often full on a midweek afternoon – a rarity for a rural pub in this day and age – with many more customers enjoying fine weather in the sizable garden. Excellent beer and a lively atmosphere draw customers from miles around. 

Atmosphere 9/10
Décor 7/10
Drinks 8/10
Sense of place 8/10
Snacks 8/10

The Snowdrop Inn, Lewes, East Sussex

The first surprise at The Snowdrop in Lewes is the name, which is not a nod to the flower but a reference to how the pub came into being. In 1836, a huge volume of snow fell from the cliffs that overlook the pub, crushing the cottages that once sat here. The pub was built in 1840. Further surprises await inside, from tables created from old sewing machines to the marvellous, riotously colourful bar. 

Atmosphere 8/10
Décor 9/10
Drinks 7/10
Sense of place 8/10
Snacks 7/10

The Cock Inn, Broom, Bedfordshire

The Cock is one of a handful of traditional British pubs that doesn’t have a bar. Indeed, this 19th-century inn retains its entire historic layout, taking in a variety of rooms – one of which boasts an old bar skittles table – and a cellar from where drinks are fetched. It’s an atmospheric, charismatic place, from its uneven, red-tiled floor to the old beer bottles displayed on shelves in the front room. The beer glasses, meanwhile, are emblazoned with the slogan, ‘The Pub With No Bar’.

Atmosphere 8/10
Décor 9/10
Drinks 7/10
Sense of place 9/10
Snacks 7/10

Book flights to London City, Gatwick or Heathrow 

East of England

The Free Press, Cambridge

One of Cambridge’s various delights is its back-street pubs, of which there are two more within a minute’s walk of The Free Press. Neither, though, is as charming as this two-room classic, where you can expect a warm welcome and a delicious pint of locally brewed ale. It’s a very English place with an international clientele, made up of residents, students and visitors to the city. 

Atmosphere 8/10
Décor 7/10
Drinks 9/10
Sense of place 8/10
Snacks 9/10

The Alexandra Tavern, Norwich, Norfolk

Norwich likes to boast that it has a pub for every day of the year – which may or may not be true, but doesn’t seem unlikely when you wander around the city. Its speciality is easygoing suburban establishments such as this, where, if you’re lucky, you’ll manage to nab a cheese roll to accompany a delicious pint. This is a great spot to overhear interesting conversations, from business proposals to discussions of long-gone English folk bands.

Atmosphere 8/10
Décor 8/10
Drinks 7/10
Sense of place 8/10
Snacks 8/10

The Lord Nelson, Southwold, Suffolk

Adnams is one of England’s great traditional breweries, and this is a very fine place to enjoy its ales. Southwold has become hugely fashionable in recent years, and it’s easy to see why: there’s a gentle Englishness here that draws tourists in. With its crackling open fire and muddy dogs, The Lord Nelson is a must-do. On fine days, sun-trap benches at the front are, understandably, in high demand.

Atmosphere 7/10
Décor 8/10
Drinks 8/10
Sense of place 8/10
Snacks 9/10

South West

Old Spot Inn, Dursley, Gloucestershire

Dursley sits in a truly delightful bit of Gloucestershire, overlooked by the conical Cam Peak. The Old Spot, undistinguished from the outside, is equally appealing once you cross the threshold. This is a beer-focused place, and the ale is predictably good quality – but all sorts of visitors enjoy the good weather in the garden at the back. There are sausage rolls on the bar for those in need of a snack.

Atmosphere 8/10
Décor 8/10
Drinks 9/10
Sense of place 7/10
Snacks 8/10

The Albert Inn, Totnes, Devon

Those who venture towards The Albert Inn may well hear it before they see it. This charismatic Totnes pub – named after Queen Victoria’s husband but now bearing Einstein’s image on its sign – hosts live music, and the front room is full of happy, boisterous customers. The back room is a more relaxed affair, but you’ll still manage to find yourself embroiled in a series of conversations. As with all the best pubs, there are no strangers here.

Atmosphere 9/10
Décor 7/10
Drinks 8/10
Sense of place 7/10
Snacks 8/10

The King’s Head, Bristol

Bristol’s quirky geography can make it hard to navigate, but the Grade II-listed King’s Head is pretty much slap-bang in the middle. This is a slim, charismatic place, retaining much of its Edwardian and Victorian character – in particular, a seating area known as the Tramcar at the back and an 1865 backbar (advertising everything from claret to cigars) that may be the oldest in the country. There is also an impressive selection of Caribbean food (and pickled eggs, if that’s your thing).

Atmosphere 7/10
Décor 9/10
Drinks 8/10
Sense of place 7/10
Snacks 8/10

Scotland

The Laurieston Bar, Glasgow

There are many delightful details at The Laurieston, from its Formica-topped fixed 1960s tables to the counter-top pie display, but the key element is human. Full of life at any time of the day, this two-room pub is well worth the short walk across the Clyde from Glasgow Central. Run for many years by the Clancey family, it retains the culture they instilled – and a much-mythologised ‘middle’ Guinness tap, from which the legendary Irish beer is dispensed at cellar temperature. Locals swear by it.

Atmosphere 8/10
Décor 9/10
Drinks 7/10
Sense of place 9/10
Snacks 8/10

The Bow Bar, Edinburgh

The Bow Bar is a very Scottish pub. Whisky takes centre stage, with around 400 different bottles stacked on the handsome back bar. The barman is more than happy to talk visitors through the various options (including a rather delicious Islay malt). Cask beer is served from ‘Aitken founts’, a traditional Scottish method that has gone out of fashion – although if the delicious pints of 80 Shilling are anything to go by, it needs to make a comeback.  

Atmosphere 8/10
Décor 8/10
Drinks 9/10
Sense of place 8/10
Snacks 8/10

Speedwell Bar, Dundee

Known as Mennie’s (after the family that ran it for much of the 20th century), this is a warm, elegant place, with a marvellous Edwardian interior. There’s plenty of whisky, as you’d expect, but also high-class beer and wine. The opening of Dundee’s V&A Museum a few years back has focused fresh attention on the city – any visitor wanting to get to know Dundee should pop in here during their visit. 

Atmosphere 8/10
Décor 8/10
Drinks 8/10
Sense of place 8/10
Snacks 7/10

Book a flight to Edinburgh or Glasgow

Wales

Dyffryn Arms, Pontfaen, Pembrokeshire

Run for many years by Bessie Davies, the Dyffryn Arms is a unique reminder of what rural pubs must have been like all over the UK in the 19th and early 20th centuries. Bass ale is served from a jug, conversation is inevitable, courtesy of the layout and size of the Public Bar, and the rustic furniture is comfortable but never lavish. Remote but well worth the trip.

Atmosphere 9/10
Décor 7/10
Drinks 7/10
Sense of place 9/10
Snacks 6/10

The Mansel Arms, Porthyrhyd, Carmarthen

A former coaching inn, The Mansel Arms has a huge mural on one exterior wall, depicting events and places of local importance – from The Rebecca Riots, a series of 19th-century protests, to the now extinguished tradition of coal mining. It’s a nice reminder of how central this cosy pub is to the community – as any visitors will soon discover.

Atmosphere 8/10
Décor 7/10
Drinks 8/10
Sense of place 9/10
Snacks 7/10

The Pilot Inn, Mumbles, Swansea

With a magnificent view across Swansea Bay and a brewery at the back, The Pilot may be the perfect Welsh pub. That’s certainly what the Campaign for Real Ale thinks, having once named it the best pub in Wales. You don’t have to be a beer buff, though, to enjoy this down-to-earth classic. It’s an easygoing place, cherished locally as much for its food as its beer, and very popular with walkers.

Atmosphere 7/10
Décor 7/10
Drinks 8/10
Sense of place 7/10
Snacks 6/10

Northern Ireland

The Duke of York, Belfast

You could spend a lifetime inspecting the varied bits of brewery marketing and other historic bits and bobs (photos, old bottles, printing equipment and much more) on the walls at The Duke. Much of it is Guinness-related, and it’s hard to resist a pint of Ireland’s most famous beer here – although there’s a good selection of whiskey too. If you want to get a flavour of Belfast, this is the perfect place to start.

Atmosphere 8/10
Décor 9/10
Drinks 7/10
Sense of place 8/10
Snacks 6/10

Sunflower Public House, Belfast

“No Topless Bathing,” declares a sign on the outside of the Sunflower. “Ulster has suffered enough.” It gives you an idea of what you’ll find at this quirky, warm-hearted place not far from the centre of the city. A simple corner pub with good beer and regular live music, it still has a security cage on the door, a reminder of more difficult times in this part of the world.

Atmosphere 9/10
Décor 7/10
Drinks 7/10
Sense of place 8/10
Snacks 8/10

The Dog & Duck Inn, Lisbellaw, County Fermanagh

This smart, modern pub has something for everyone. Good beer, high-quality food, a distillery on site and a pub dog – a spaniel called Kincade, who’s as popular as any of the delicious products on offer. Five miles from Enniskillen, Lisbellaw is a quiet, some-would-say sleepy place, but in the Dog & Duck it has something very special indeed.

Atmosphere 8/10
Décor 7/10
Drinks 8/10
Sense of place 8/10
Snacks 8/10