{"id":499419,"date":"2025-10-14T18:13:36","date_gmt":"2025-10-14T18:13:36","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/499419\/"},"modified":"2025-10-14T18:13:36","modified_gmt":"2025-10-14T18:13:36","slug":"the-definitive-guide-to-britains-best-pubs-so-did-your-local-make-the-cut-experts-visited-hundreds-of-boozers-across-the-country-and-these-are-the-ones-you-must-visit","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/499419\/","title":{"rendered":"The definitive guide to Britain’s best pubs… so did YOUR local make the cut? Experts visited hundreds of boozers across the country – and these are the ones you must visit"},"content":{"rendered":"

There are 39,000 pubs currently in operation in the UK – ranging from sticky carpeted ‘old man pubs’ in London’s East End, to Buckingham’s two-Michelin-starred establishment, The Hand and Flowers.<\/p>\n

But however you take your tipple, the public house is an undeniably British institution that deserves its flowers.<\/p>\n

And who better to celebrate these watering holes than The Fence, a quarterly print magazine dedicated to life in the UK and Ireland?<\/p>\n

In the new book, The Pub, The Fence raises a glass to pubs across the nation through tales and trivia, with contributions from Tom Parker\u00a0Bowles, restaurant critic Charlotte Ivers and etiquette expert William Hanson.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\"In <\/p>\n

In the new book, The Pub, The Fence raises a glass to pubs across the nation through tales and trivia<\/p>\n

CENTRAL LONDON<\/p>\n

THE COCKPIT, ST ANDREW\u2019S HILL, EC4V 5BY<\/p>\n

Once the site of a cockfighting arena (until the sport was outlawed in 1835), these days the only preening cocks on display in this magnificent backstreet boozer are the gilet-sporting City boys.<\/p>\n

THE STAG\u2019S HEAD, NEW CAVENDISH STREET, W1W 6XW<\/p>\n

The Stag\u2019s Head is one of the most cultured pubs in London<\/a>: it used to be the haunt of such literary heavyweights as Dylan Thomas and Julian MacLaren-Ross.<\/p>\n

\"Once <\/p>\n

Once the site of a cockfighting arena, these days the only preening cocks on display at the Cockpit are the gilet-sporting City boys<\/p>\n

NORTH LONDON<\/p>\n

THE ORANGE TREE, HIGHFIELD ROAD, N21 3HA<\/p>\n

With Emma Bunton<\/a>, Myleene Klass<\/a> and Louise Redknapp<\/a> all having lived there at one point, Winchmore Hill is very much a hub for fin de si\u00e8cle pop girlies. Did they all drink together in the splendour of The Orange Tree? Almost certainly not.<\/p>\n

THE KING\u2019S HEAD, BLACKSTOCK ROAD, N4 2DR<\/p>\n

If the bacchanalia of karaoke, cheap drinks or majestic interiors aren\u2019t enough to entice you into Finsbury Park\u2019s best pub, check out the baffling black-and-white mural on the side of the pub, which features Diddy, Suge, Biggie and Pac playing pool, presumably at The King\u2019s Head.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\"The <\/p>\n

The King’s Head on Blackstock Road, Finsbury Park<\/p>\n

EAST LONDON<\/p>\n

THE HARE, CAMBRIDGE HEATH ROAD, E2 9BU<\/p>\n

Come for the raucous atmosphere, stay for the fact it\u2019s located at the end of the alley where The Libertines filmed the music video for \u2018Up the Bracket\u2019.<\/p>\n

DUKE OF WELLINGTON, HAGGERSTON ROAD, E8 4EP<\/p>\n

Despite this excellent sports pub staunchly resisting the gentrification that the rest of E8 has undergone, there are some signs of change: they recently got rid of the ceramic ashtrays next to the urinals.<\/p>\n

\"Come <\/p>\n

Come for the raucous atmosphere at East London’s The Hare, stay for the fact it\u2019s located at the end of the alley where The Libertines filmed the music video for \u2018Up the Bracket\u2019<\/p>\n

WEST LONDON<\/p>\n

THE SHEPHERD & FLOCK, GOLDHAWK ROAD, W12 8HA<\/p>\n

The sort of Irish pub that, no matter what time you go in, will feature six old men dotted around the room, silently nursing a pint, not interacting with each other.<\/p>\n

THE PRINCE OF WALES, WESTERN ROAD, UB2 5ED<\/p>\n

There\u2019s no greater combination than pints and grilled, curried meat. In this corner of west London, the desi pubs do it very well indeed, with The Prince of Wales the pick of the bunch.<\/p>\n

\"There\u2019s <\/p>\n

There\u2019s no greater combination than pints and grilled, curried meat. The Prince of Wales does it very well indeed<\/p>\n

MANCHESTER<\/p>\n

PEVERIL OF THE PEAK, GREAT BRIDGEWATER STREET, M1 5JQ<\/p>\n

It\u2019s pub perfection: the mustard tiles, the mahogany panelling, the weathered floral carpet \u2013 and it just might be the best in \u2018Manneh\u2019.<\/p>\n

THE MARBLE ARCH, ROCHDALE ROAD, M4 4HY<\/p>\n

This beer-lover\u2019s haven is located a little outside the city centre, but is worth the trip out for its magnificent ceilings alone.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\"It\u2019s <\/p>\n

It\u2019s pub perfection: the mustard tiles, the mahogany panelling and the weathered floral carpet<\/p>\n

LIVERPOOL<\/p>\n

YE HOLE IN YE WALL, HACKINS HEY, L2 2AW<\/p>\n

Ye Hole in Ye Wall is probably the Platonic ideal of a side-street city pub \u2013 and also has the accolade of being the last Liverpool pub to be only for men, until as recently as 1976.<\/p>\n

COOPERS TOWN HOUSE, CASES STREET, L1 1HW<\/p>\n

There\u2019s an incredible 15 pubs on the block over the road from Liverpool Central station. Coopers Town House, a poky, bacchanalian boozer that became famous for livestreaming its karaoke on TikTok, is probably the best of the lot.<\/p>\n

\"Ye <\/p>\n

Ye Hole in Ye Wall is probably the Platonic ideal of a side-street city pub \u2013 and also has the accolade of being the last Liverpool pub to be only for men, until as recently as 1976<\/p>\n

BRIGHTON<\/p>\n

THE BAT & BALL, DITCHLING ROAD, BN1 4SB<\/p>\n

The last remaining spit-and-sawdust boozer in Brighton, The Bat & Ball is so named after the original Brighton cricket ground located on the Level, although nowadays it\u2019s more MD20\/20 than T20.<\/p>\n

\"The <\/p>\n

The last remaining spit-and-sawdust boozer in Brighton, The Bat & Ball is so named after the original Brighton cricket ground located on the Level<\/p>\n

BIRMINGHAM<\/p>\n

THE OLD JOINT STOCK, TEMPLE ROW WEST, B2 5NY\u00a0<\/p>\n

Originally a library, this ornate Fuller’s pub with a theatre upstairs is worth a visit for the swish interirs alone.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\"Originally <\/p>\n

Originally a library, this ornate Fuller’s pub with a theatre upstairs is worth a visit for the swish interirs alone<\/p>\n

LEEDSTHE DUCK & DRAKE, KIRKGATE, LS2 7DR<\/p>\n

It\u2019s stunning inside, but the tiki-inspired beer garden is what really sets The Duck & Drake apart from other Leodensian pubs.<\/p>\n

THE TEMPLAR HOTEL, TEMPLAR STREET, LS2 7NU<\/p>\n

Never mind Leeds, The Templar\u2019s one of the best places in the whole of Yorkshire to get a pint in, all conspiratorial booths and stained-glass partitioning.<\/p>\n

\"It\u2019s <\/p>\n

It\u2019s stunning inside, but the tiki-inspired beer garden is what really sets The Duck & Drake apart from other Leodensian pubs<\/p>\n

NOTTINGHAM<\/p>\n

YE OLDE TRIP TO JERUSALEM, BREWHOUSE YARD, NG1 6AD<\/p>\n

Ye Olde Trip perhaps spuriously claims to be the oldest pub in England, which instantly makes it full of curious tourists. Don\u2019t let that put you off though \u2013 it really is one of the best in the city.<\/p>\n

\"Ye <\/p>\n

Ye Olde Trip perhaps spuriously claims to be the oldest pub in England, which instantly makes it full of curious tourists. Don\u2019t let that put you off though \u2013 it really is one of the best in the city<\/p>\n

NORWICH<\/p>\n

THE FAT CAT, WEST END STREET, NR2 4NA<\/p>\n

This is what a community drinking space should look like: open to everyone, and with a sensational selection of hooch to see you through the evening\u2019s festivities.<\/p>\n

\"The <\/p>\n

The Fat Cat pub is what a community drinking space should look like: open to everyone, and with a sensational selection of hooch to see you through the evening\u2019s festivities<\/p>\n

SHEFFIELDTHE RUTLAND ARMS, BROWN STREET, S1 2BS<\/p>\n

The Rutland Arms veers just the right side of shabby chic and is a very good place to drink indeed, despite the strange floral bar stools.<\/p>\n

\"The <\/p>\n

The Rutland Arms veers just the right side of shabby chic<\/p>\n

NEWCASTLE<\/p>\n

THE BRIDGE HOTEL, CASTLE GARTH, NE1 1RQ<\/p>\n

There\u2019s no better place to enjoy Robert Stephenson\u2019s magnificent High Level Bridge than plonked in the beer garden of The Bridge Hotel with a few halves of Ruddles.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\"There\u2019s <\/p>\n

There\u2019s no better place to enjoy Robert Stephenson\u2019s magnificent High Level Bridge than plonked in the beer garden of The Bridge Hotel with a few halves of Ruddles<\/p>\n

\"The <\/p>\n

The Bridge Hotel in Castle Garth<\/p>\n

BRISTOL\u00a0<\/p>\n

THE SEVEN STARS, THOMAS LANE, BS1 6JG<\/p>\n

There are 37 pubs in the UK named The Seven Stars, which is believed to have originated from the seven provinces of the Netherlands. Is this one in Bristol the best?\u00a0<\/p>\n

THE CAT & WHEEL, CHELTENHAM ROAD, BS6 5QX<\/p>\n

A good pub should have at least some entertainment on offer. The Cat & Wheel feels like it was designed by someone with ADHD. There\u2019s karaoke, live music, DJs, pinball, darts, pool, foosball, the Wii, fruities, quiz nights and, of course, plenty of screens for the Barclays.<\/p>\n

\"There <\/p>\n

There are 37 pubs in the UK named The Seven Stars, which is believed to have originated from the seven provinces of the Netherlands. Is this one in Bristol the best?<\/p>\n

HULL\u00a0<\/p>\n

YE OLDE BLACK BOY, HIGH STREET, HU1 1PS<\/p>\n

Allegedly the oldest pub in Hull, as it dates all the way back to 1729. Still just as good to drink in as it was back then.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\"Allegedly <\/p>\n

Allegedly the oldest pub in Hull, Ye Olde Black Boy dates all the way back to 1729. Still just as good to drink in as it was back then<\/p>\n

EDINBURGH<\/p>\n

THE BLUE BLAZER, SPITTAL STREET, EH3 9DX<\/p>\n

Contrary to popular belief, this pub is not named after the lovely reps at Pontins holiday parks.<\/p>\n

THE DIGGERS, ANGLE PARK TERRACE, EH11 2JX<\/p>\n

The Diggers actual name is The Athletic Arms, but the pub\u2019s location between two cemeteries \u2013 and the fact it was used as a post-work p*ss-up spot for thirsty gravediggers \u2013 earned it its slightly macabre nickname.<\/p>\n

\"Contrary <\/p>\n

Contrary to popular belief, Edinburgh pub The Blue Blazer is not named after the lovely reps at Pontins holiday parks<\/p>\n

GLASGOW<\/p>\n

THE LAURIESTON BAR, BRIDGE STREET, G5 9HU<\/p>\n

It\u2019s the most famous pub in Glasgow, and after one drink inside you\u2019ll see why: it\u2019s a portal to another time and really does have one of the most special atmospheres of any pub anywhere.<\/p>\n

THE POT STILL, HOPE STREET, G2 2TH<\/p>\n

If Glasgow occasionally has shades of New York in its rigid grid structure, then The Pot Still is the city\u2019s equivalent of a divey Manhattan corner bar.<\/p>\n

\"The <\/p>\n

The Laurieston is the most famous pub in Glasgow, and after one drink inside you\u2019ll see why: it\u2019s a portal to another time and really does have one of the most special atmospheres of any pub anywhere<\/p>\n

SWANSEA<\/p>\n

THE BUILDERS ARMS, OXFORD STREET, SA1 3HT<\/p>\n

Brick pillars, faded Victorian wallpaper, a Morrisesque carpet \u2013 The Builders Arms is one of those truly special pubs you could spend entire days in.<\/p>\n

THE RAILWAY INN, SILOH ROAD, SA1 2NX<\/p>\n

This sporting pub is situated a stone\u2019s throw away from the Liberty Stadium, and as such gets pretty packed on match days. \u2018Probably the best pub in the world\u2019 proclaims a sign out front \u2013 probably not, but a very decent establishment.<\/p>\n

\"A <\/p>\n

A sporting pub, The Railway Inn is situated a stone\u2019s throw away from the Liberty Stadium, and as such gets pretty packed on match days<\/p>\n

CARDIFF<\/p>\n

THE FOUR ELMS, ELM STREET, CF24 3QR<\/p>\n

The perfect beer garden to sink pints with your mates in, as the late summer sun sets.\u00a0<\/p>\n

THE GOLDEN CROSS, HAYES BRIDGE ROAD, CF10 1GH<\/p>\n

One of the best LGBTQ+ pubs around, with an exceptional tiled exterior.<\/p>\n

\"The <\/p>\n

The Golden Cross is one of the best LGBTQ+ pubs around, and has an exceptional tiled exterior<\/p>\n

BELFAST<\/p>\n

MADDENS, BERRY STREET, BT1 1FJ<\/p>\n

The nicer and more traditional version of Kelly\u2019s Cellars round the corner. Just on the edge of town on the way out towards the west. Good place for traditional music.<\/p>\n

THE REPORTER, UNION STREET, BT1 2JF<\/p>\n

Always quite a nice crowd because of its proximity to the Kremlin, the city\u2019s sole Russia-themed gay nightclub. D\u00e9cor is mainly old newspaper headlines. Some cute snugs at the back.<\/p>\n

\"Maddens <\/p>\n

Maddens is the nicer and more traditional version of Kelly\u2019s Cellars round the corner. Just on the edge of town on the way out towards the west. Good place for traditional music<\/p>\n

Adapted from The Pub by The Fence (Ebury Publishing, \u00a316.99). \u00a9 The Fence 2025. To order a copy for \u00a315.29 (offer valid to 29\/10\/25; UK P&P free on orders over \u00a325) go to mailshop.co.uk\/books<\/a> or call 020 3176 2937.\u00a0<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"There are 39,000 pubs currently in operation in the UK – ranging from sticky carpeted ‘old man pubs’…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":499420,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[5018,3,4],"tags":[748,92,393,4884,257,1144,712,183,16,15,1764],"class_list":{"0":"post-499419","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-britain","8":"category-uk","9":"category-united-kingdom","10":"tag-britain","11":"tag-dailymail","12":"tag-england","13":"tag-great-britain","14":"tag-london","15":"tag-northern-ireland","16":"tag-scotland","17":"tag-travel","18":"tag-uk","19":"tag-united-kingdom","20":"tag-wales"},"share_on_mastodon":{"url":"https:\/\/pubeurope.com\/@uk\/115373883066648854","error":""},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/499419","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=499419"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/499419\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/499420"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=499419"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=499419"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=499419"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}