10 cosy British pubs
By Laura Tait
It’s getting chillier by the day, it’s dark before we know it, and quite frankly all we want to do is curl up on the sofa in front of a roaring fire, have a drink and eat comfort food. But that shouldn't mean holing up at home all winter with just your blanket for company. If you like a pub that’s like a home from home (but better because there’s beer on tap) then here are ten of the cosiest drinking establishments around. Just forgive our overuse of the phrase 'Roaring Fire'.
1. The Bridge Inn, Topsham, Devon
A step into The Bridge is a little like a step back in time, with its Real Ales, grandfather clock, old fashioned fire place and sign that reads ‘this room is prohibited from all amusements on Sunday – W Gibbings, Proprieter’. There are also signs prohibiting the use of mobiles, but you’ll probably forget they’ve been invented yet anyway. You know in 1998 when the Queen visited her first ever pub? This was it. And if it’s good enough for HRM...
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2. The Sheep’s Heid Inn, Duddingston, Edinburgh
As close to a country pub as you’ll get in a capital city, you’ll find the Sheep’s Heid nestled at the bottom of landmark Arthur’s Seat. With its comfy leather armchairs and impressive selection of board games you can have a game of Scrabble in front of the Roaring Fire, drinking hot toddies. If the only thing missing from this picture is a woolly jumper, then knit yourself one at 'The Wool Pack’ - their knitting club, first Tuesday of every month.
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3. The King’s Head, Laxfield, Suffolk
Known by the locals as ‘The Low House’, this cracking little thatched cottage pub in the Suffolk countryside is bursting with character, from its low ceilings and narrow passages to its Roaring Fire. You’ll get tasty meals of generous portions in the quaint dining room and great selection of ales, served straight from the barrel, in the taproom (there’s no bar!). The kind of place where everyone chats to everyone, although there are plenty of segregated little areas if you want to keep to your group.
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4. Hollybush, Hampstead, London
Another countrified city pub – you'll likely feel disorientated when you get outside and realise you're a stone's throw from the tube. With its old photos and mismatched furniture, from sofas to wooden stools, it has a real nineteenth-century old world pub feel, and serves top grub alongside a great selection of beers and wines. With a Roaring Fire to boot.
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5. The Queen's Head, Glanwydden, Wales
Idyllic country pub in the heart of the idyllic country village of Glanwydden, with a comfy modern lounge bar with brown plush wall banquettes and Windsor chairs around neat black tables. And a Roaring Fire. You’re welcome just to pop in for a few drinks (indeed, you’ll be spoilt for choice with the real ales and weekly guest beer on hand pump, and decent section of wine) but it would be a shame to miss an opportunity to eat there – their meals are renowned for being top-notch.
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6. The Village Inn, Twyning, Gloucestershire
Cosy, traditional, family-run boozer, serving proper pub grub – like Ploughman’s for lunch and pie and chips for dinner - and a selection of real ales. There’s also a skittles alley, a pool table, a dart board and a shove-ha’penny board. And the resident dog, Crumpet. Its low beamed ceilings and fireplace give it a cosy living room feel, and the ever-so-friendly staff and locals will make you feel right at home.
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7. Crown and Anchor, Holy Island, Northumberland
The pretty little historic island of Lindisfarne (aka Holy Island), accessible only twice each day at low tide by a three-mile long causeway, is best viewed from the window of this comfy old pub - whether you're there to fuel up on the great food, sample one of their real ales, peruse the fishing memorabilia adorning the walls, stay the night in one of their guest rooms, or simply warm your cockles by the Roaring Fire.
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8. Scarsdale Tavern, Kensington, London
A warm welcome awaits you at this West London haunt. That’ll be the Roaring Fire. Or if you're sitting in the impressive outside seating area, that'll be the heaters. It's the kind of place you want to want to start a lazy Sunday reading the papers, stay for a tasty homemade Sunday roast then chill out all Sunday afternoon drinking good beer and chatting to regulars. Doesn't have to be a Sunday. Any day, really.
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9. The Old Bear, Cobham, Surrey
The pub goes at least as far back as 1719, though local historians believe parts of the building date from medieval times, and whilst it’s been modernised, it hasn’t lost an ounce of its cosy, traditional country pub feel – there’s the Roaring Fires, the natural wooden beams, oak floors, antique prints and couches and oversized arm chairs. They also have a great chef serving yummy British food, like sausage and mash, or pork crackling.
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10. The Tempest Arms, Skipton, North Yorkshire
On the edge of the Yorkshire Dales lies this 18th century stone inn, with a bar that boats cushioned armchairs, built-in wall seats with comfy cushions, wooden tables with stools, exposed stonework, amusing prints on the walls, an extensive list of brews and a friendly back Labrador names Molly. What could be cosier? A Roaring Fire, you say? It has three.
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