They are all family-friendly and have great food too
The Old Crown pub at Kelston entrance(Image: Sophie Grubb/Bristol Live)
A day out could be the ideal alternative for anyone struggling to find a thoughtful Father’s Day gift – especially if they’ve missed the window for online delivery.
While a trip to the pub might not sound like much, it does avoid a last-minute scramble for socks and guarantee some quality time as a family.
Bristol is home to some fantastic pubs but to make the most of this weekend’s sunshine, venturing into the surrounding countryside will be a tempting option. Perhaps you want to try the pub with ‘Britain’s best beer garden’, or the ‘hidden’ pub serving the best Ploughman’s in the West Country.
With so much choice within a short drive of the city, we’ve narrowed down our selection to the pubs we can vouch for ourselves, having reviewed them in the past year. Take a look at the summary below including locations and prices, or click the headlines to read the full reviews.
With just days to go it’s likely many will be booked up for the day itself (Sunday, June 15), unless you’re just after drinks, but these are all great options for the rest of summer too if you want to extend the celebrations:
Spring flowers in the garden of The Old Crown pub at Kelston(Image: Sophie Grubb/Bristol Live)
Despite its size, home to just a couple of hundred people, Kelston pulls in people from much further afield thanks to the Bath Soft Cheese Café and shop. The village is also home to The Old Crown Inn, which dates back to the 17th century and is surely home to one of the prettiest beer gardens in the area, filled with flowers.
As a Butcombe pub there are some local favourites on tap such as Rare Breed, Tall Tales pale ale and Stan’s Cheddar Valley Thatchers, although it was a pint of Ashton Press cider that went down a treat during our visit. The roast dinners looked really impressive as they were being brought out to neighbouring diners, with prices starting at £16 for the vegetarian option.
Location: Kelston, near Bath, 25 minutes from Bristol
Our bill: A half pint of Madri, along with a pint of Ashton, came to £8.30
The stylish interior of The Sheep & Penguin has already won awards(Image: Bristol Live)
Once a traditional Victorian city centre boozer with multiple screens for Sky Sports, The Mermaid was derelict for 10 years and a local eyesore with broken windows and graffiti on the boarded up door.
It was rescued by Nick James and his family, who reopened it as The Sheep & Penguin after an impressive revamp. It has already won awards for its range of beers, both cask and keg, but it’s the food that sets The Sheep & Penguin apart from other pubs in Wells, with a full menu at lunch and in the evening.
We went for one of the pricier options on the menu, a lamb shoulder pie (£25) which boasted excellent pastry and was packed with tender, deep flavoured meat. The drinks choice included the pub’s own Sheep & Penguin Bitter, New Bristol Brewery’s The Joy of Sesh IPA, That’s What She Said Pale Ale and Electric Red Rye IPA – with Pulpt Flare for cider drinkers.
Location: Wells, Somerset, 50 minutes from Bristol
Our bill: £5.60 for the ‘deceptively strong’ Glastonbury Golden Chalice
Pork belly sandwich at The Chequers Inn, Hanham(Image: Bristol Live)
The Chequers at Hanham is known for its claim to have the ‘best beer garden by the River Avon’. The benches overlooking the water were understandably empty during our visit in winter, but are bound to fill up now peak season for al fresco sipping has arrived.
Situated five miles outside the city centre, this scenic spot was taken over by Young’s brewery in 2017 and advertises “the best cask ales and craft beer, delicious seasonal menu and an exceptional collection of craft gins”. Service was swift and super friendly during our lunch
Location: Hanham, just across the Bristol border in South Gloucestershire
Our bill: A half pint of Pilsner, posh sandwich plus a tip came to £16.50
The beer garden at The Temple Inn at Temple Cloud
The Temple Inn at Temple Cloud near Bristol may be a rural pub dating from the 17th Century but it’s thoroughly modern in every other respect, right down to an electric vehicle charging point that’s free to customers. After a comprehensive renovation in 2017 by Red Oak Taverns, the pub reopened with renewed vigour, its ten smart bedrooms being a particular draw for tourists visiting Bristol, Bath and Wells.
The well-stocked bar serves Bristol Beer Factory beers and cider drinkers can choose between North Street Cider and three types of draught Thatchers (Gold, Haze and Dry). Other drinks on tap include Peroni, Foster’s and a blackboard of summer cocktails. The food menu is extensive and sensibly priced, with various weekday deals being advertised during our visit in summer last year.
Location: Temple Cloud, Somerset, half an hour from Bristol
Our bill: A pint of ‘Best of Us’ Bristol Beer Factory beer was priced at just £4.50
Beeses riverside bar in Brislington
This might stretch the definition of a ‘country pub’ given that it sits within Bristol city’s boundaries, but legendary riverside pub-cafe Beeses really does feel like you’re in the countryside. Set on the water’s edge surrounded by trees, its location in Conham River Park means you’ll often see people paddle-boarding or boating past on a sunny day.
It’s a bit tricky to get there if you’re coming from the other side of the river, but they have a fun solution – a £1 ferry crossing that will take you right to the entrance. If you’re arriving by car, there is a small car park but it does get busy.
We had a delicious roast dinner there but it also serves small plates, salads and burgers. On draught there is usually a selection of Bristol Beer Factory and Butcombe Brewery drinks, as well as Thatchers or North Street for cider drinkers.
Location: Near Brislington, in Bristol
Our bill: £16.50 for a vegetarian roast, £7 for a chocolate mousse and £1 for the boat crossing
If you’ve got a great suggestion for a country pub near Bristol, we’d love to hear your recommendations in the comments section below