Ask someone to name the tentpoles of British culture and they’ll probably mention the pub soon enough. In fact, for certain Brits, they’ll probably mention the pub whatever conversation you’re having. But there’s no escaping the fact that a country walk, a long weekend or a summer holiday are often enhanced by the warm, welcoming presence of a picturesque pub or an idyllic inn. So, to help you find the UK’s prettiest village pubs during your summer travels, here’s a rundown of establishments offering serene, postcard-worthy settings and, of course, Inspector-approved cooking.
The Wild Rabbit's beautiful terrace area. © The Wild Rabbit
The Cotswolds: Natural Home of the Country Pub
The Wild Rabbit – Kingham, Oxfordshire
The Cotswolds is so synonymous with pubs and prettiness that this entire list could be taken up with its chocolate-box establishments. Key purveyors of the classic Cotswolds inn are the Daylesford Organic Farm group – who specialise in local produce and immaculately renovated historic buildings. The Wild Rabbit in Kingham is a prime example, packed with charm from its bright restaurant to the cosy bar and lovely terrace. For similar Daylesford delights, seek out The Fox in Lower Oddington and The Bell in Charlbury.The Bell Inn – Langford, Oxfordshire
If you wanted to bottle what an English village inn should be, the result would be something a lot like this. Its beauty is of the rustic variety, with bags of individual character in every corner; that means stone floors, an impressive inglenook fireplace and an abundance of beams. Adding to the appeal is the smooth, affable service from a bright and cheery team. On the cooking front, the accessible menu moves between pubby fare and more refined dishes with ease.
The Castle Inn, located in the time-capsule village of Castle Combe. © Castle Inn
The Castle Inn – Castle Combe, Wiltshire
At the other end of the Cotswolds, you’ll find one of its stand-out villages. Visiting Castle Combe is like stepping back in time, quite literally, as its centre has had no new houses built since the 1600s. No tall buildings or shiny surfaces here, just golden-hued stone and rural charm. The Castle Inn mirrors its location, with the 12th-century pub boasting plenty of antiques and original period features. It’s the ideal setting for a comforting, restorative meal when exploring this gorgeous part of the world.The Bath Arms – Horningsham, Wiltshire
Actually located a little south of the Cotswolds – but still worth incorporating into your trip around the area – The Bath Arms is situated on the Longleat Estate, which makes for a good day out in itself. The ivy-clad pub is a joy to behold, with cosy interiors and a relaxed air throughout. It’s popular with dog-walkers too, so expect to hear the patter of tiny feet. The owners also run The Beckford Bottle Shop in Bath, a city that somehow still feels like a pretty little village in spite of its size.Explore more of the Cotswolds with our comprehensive guide and itinerary.
The impeccable interior design at The Alice Hawthorn Inn. © Jim Poyner
Moors, Dales and MICHELIN Stars in Yorkshire
The Alice Hawthorn Inn – Nun Monkton, North Yorkshire
After the Cotswolds, North Yorkshire is probably the best area in Britain for finding pretty village pubs. It helps, of course, that the windswept beauty of the North York Moors and stunning views of the Yorkshire Dales are right on the doorstep of many of its inns. Closer to the city of York is The Alice Hawthorn Inn, where a series of interconnected dining rooms could have been pulled from the pages of a magazine, with all the exposed brick walls and tasteful décor you’d expect.The Star Inn at Harome – Harome, North Yorkshire
The most fervent foodies among you should make this your must-visit destination when in Yorkshire. A cute and quaint village inn that also serves MICHELIN-Star cooking, it’s a real place to be treasured. As soon as you glimpse its thatched roof, you know you’re in for a treat, with the hugely characterful and quirky interior delivering on the promise. What’s most endearing about the place is that you really know you’re in Yorkshire, with the area’s finest produce proudly used across the enticing menus.
One of the charming sitting areas at The Lime Tree Inn. © Olivia Brabbs
The Lime Tree Inn – Great Ouseburn, North Yorkshire
A substantial property on the edge of the village, what The Lime Tree Inn lacks in age it makes up for in size, packing in an array of different sitting areas, dining rooms and snugs for you to explore with a pint in hand. The décor fuses smart modernity with rustic and vintage touches, like its tartan floor and stone fireplace. If that doesn’t provide quite enough prettiness for you, then head to the nearby town of Harrogate, famously one of the most picturesque spots in the country.The Plough – Wombleton, North Yorkshire
You will find few more adorable village names than Wombleton. It’s a tiny little place, sandwiched between the beauty spots of the Howardian Hills and the North York Moors – and at its heart is The Plough. Serving traditional dishes cooked with real skill, it may be a great dining spot, but it’s also still a proper pub. Enter into the bar area and you’ll see plenty of locals enjoying an ale while their dogs sit patiently by their side. The 16th-century building is full of charm, with low beams and a roaring fire for the winter.
The rich, dark-hued interior of Heston Blumenthal's The Hinds Head in Bray. © The Fat Duck Group
Picturesque Day Trips from London
The Hinds Head – Bray, Berkshire
Escaping the city seems like a necessity sometimes – and The Hinds Head provides that respite within easy reach of London, via the Elizabeth Line. The younger sibling of Heston Blumenthal’s Three-MICHELIN-Star The Fat Duck, it offers Star-level cooking of its own, with a heartier, simpler style that packs in fewer inventive tricks than the chef is usually known for. There’s a richness to the dark-wood panelling and soft lighting that makes ‘beautiful’ or ‘sumptuous’ seem a better descriptor than ‘pretty' – but it’s good to look at, either way.The Nut Tree Inn – Murcott, Oxfordshire
Nothing screams ‘pretty village pub’ quite like a thatched roof and at The Nut Tree Inn, you have both a thatched roof and MICHELIN-Star cooking. Quite frankly, what more could you want? Reachable from London in under two hours’ drive, the place really looks the part as you approach it. Inside, the front bar area provides the pubby character you expect, while the restaurant section has a bit more formality. The cooking showcases high-end produce with textbook skill.
One of the immaculately renovated rooms at The Great Bustard. © Dave Watts
The Great Bustard – Great Durnford, Wiltshire
Okay, we might be pushing it a little recommending this for a day trip – it’s slightly over two hours from London – but it’s well worth visiting for the no-expense-spared renovation that’s been lavished on this village inn. Plus, the attached bedrooms make it perfect for a romantic weekend overnighter. There’s a lovely warmth to the pub area, while the smart restaurant certainly has less of a traditional feel but still provides a sense of rural charm and an escape from the city.Prefer a city break? Check out:
The MICHELIN-Starred Masons Arms in Knowstone. © Andy Francis
Summer Holiday Stop-Offs in Devon & Cornwall
The Masons Arms – Knowstone, Devon
Another of the UK’s MICHELIN-Starred pubs, The Masons Arms is a long-standing fixture of the Devon dining scene. It’s still just as enjoyable as ever, with tried-and-tested dishes executed with an experienced and skilled hand. The look of the place is equally delightful, with the thatched roof instantly raising its prettiness credentials. Its setting on the edge of Exmoor National Park boosts its beauty too – and makes it an ideal stopping point during your summer explorations.St Kew Inn – St Kew, Cornwall
While Cornwall is best known for its traditional seaside spots and beautiful beaches, it’s worth heading slightly inland for more of a countryside feel. Just a short distance from Rock, Padstow and Port Isaac, St Kew is a tiny bucolic village with the added distinction of being home to this gorgeous pub. From the outside, it’s pretty as a picture, adorned by foliage and especially attractive in the Cornish sunshine. As you’re so close to the coast, look out for fresh local seafood on the menu.
The Black Bear Inn, one of Wales' prettiest pubs. © Benjamin Pryor – Feast Photo
Brecon Beacons Beauty Spots
The Black Bear Inn – Bettws Newydd, Monmouthshire
The cute village pub is sometimes regarded as a quintessentially English phenomenon; but head an hour or so west of the Cotswolds and you’ll soon discover that Wales has more than its fair share. One particularly lovely example is The Black Bear Inn on the edge of the Brecon Beacons National Park, its whitewashed exterior peppered with climbing vines and striking red doors. Inside, its prettiness is of the rustic kind, the wooden surfaces and stone fireplace coming with a warm, genuine feel.The Felin Fach Griffin – Felinfach, Powys
On the other side of the Beacons mountain range, closer to the market town of Brecon itself, the team at The Felin Fach Griffin will welcome you in with open arms and a friendly smile. Situated on the outskirts of the miniature village of Felinfach, it has a real sense of ruralness to it, counting far more fields than buildings as neighbours. The kitchen team offer honest, satisfying dishes, making it the ideal place to recuperate and treat yourself after a long day of hiking.
The picturesque whitewashed exterior of The Kilberry Inn. © Kilberry Castle Estate
Lose Yourself in Rural Scotland
The Kilberry Inn – Kilberry, Argyll and Bute
If it’s the remoteness of a village pub that most appeals to you, then this might be the one for you. Located way out in the west of Scotland, Kilberry isn’t the easiest place to get to, but you’re sure to be rewarded by the breathtaking views and unparalleled serenity. The pub itself is a small-scale delight, packing bags of cosy charm into a compact space. The enthusiastic and welcoming team value genuine hospitality and quality Scottish produce above frills and formality, leading to brilliant results.The Kildrummy Inn – Kildrummy, Aberdeenshire
Slightly closer to civilisation than Kilberry, thought not by much, Kildrummy is in fact a hamlet, not a village – that’s how small it is. Part of the vast Kildrummy Estate, the inn has undergone a lavish restoration in recent years, lending it a grandeur you rarely find in a pub – from the smart dining area to the luxuriously appointed sitting rooms. For a final dose of Scottish hospitality, head to the cosy whisky snug for a dram or two after dinner. Once you get settled in here, you’ll never want to leave.Love all things MICHELIN?
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Hero Image: The beautiful thatched roof at The Nut Tree Inn, Murcott. © Nut Tree Inn
Thumbnail Image: An overhead shot of The Black Bear Inn in Bettws Newydd, one of the UK’s prettiest village pubs. © Benjamin Pryor – Feast Photo
