25 cosy pubs for winter walkers

By now we have now shaken off the worst excesses of the festive season and are available to grasp that abstinence doesn’t go well with us all that nicely both. Absolutely there may be a substitute for the hair-shirt regime of weight loss program and Dry January? After all there may be!

It’s universally agreed {that a} wholesome stroll earns the walker the fitting to refuel within the method of their selecting, so one of the simplest ways to mix new 12 months virtuousness with justified indulgence is to stride out – having checked beforehand that there’s a cosy hostelry on the finish of the route.

There isn’t a extra satisfying feeling than easing off the boots beside a roaring hearth after a considerable hike, with a restorative tipple at hand and an appetising menu to select from.

Our educated associates at Sawdays journey guides have put within the onerous yards to analysis the advantageous choice overleaf: what’s conserving you?

THE MERRY HARRIERS
Hambledon, Surrey

This can be a good old school pub; it’s distant, however there’s lots happening. Stroll one of many many trails on the Greensand Manner or the close by Winkworth Arboretum, or e book in for winter llama trekking. Head chef Nick Ash seems heartwarming pub favourites sourced from no additional away than 15 miles, together with homegrown herbs and greens, so lunch is a deal with. In case you fancy staying a bit longer, enquire a couple of weekend break. 

Double rooms from £130 per night time;
sawdays.co.uk/themerryharriers

THE CAT INN
East Grinstead, Sussex

A advantageous medieval corridor home with a Victorian extension, this Sixteenth-century free home has a buzzing ambiance and heaps of character. Inside are beamed ceilings and panelling, planked flooring, splendid inglenooks and an ethereal room that results in a backyard on the again, furnished with teak and posh parasols. Harvey’s Ale and a few top-notch pub meals, passionately put collectively from contemporary native elements by chef Alex Jacquemin, appeal to a stable crowd: retired locals, foodies and walkers. The setting is idyllic and there’s a beautiful strolling loop to Gravetye Woods – an hour in complete from the pub and to not be missed. 

Double rooms from £130 per night time;
sawdays.co.uk/thecat

THE JOLLY CRICKETERS
Seer Inexperienced, Buckinghamshire

Only a 25-minute practice trip from London, this particular person free home exhibits off the most effective of native ales and fabulous walks into the Chiltern Hills from the doorstep. Comply with the Jubilee Path from the village, which takes round two hours and passes by way of the Quaker village of Jordans, the burial place of William Penn. There’s a wonderful seasonal menu, which showcases native suppliers, and convey the canine alongside to benefit from the home made canine biscuits from the bar.

sawdays.co.uk/pubs/thejollycricketers

THE PHEASANT
Hungerford, Berkshire

Sitting within the coronary heart of the North Wessex Downs, famed for its strolling and mountain climbing trails, sits this cool and quirky pub. Take a woodland stroll at Welford Park, recognized for its Queen Anne home, then a brief drive to the pub. There’s a comfy comfortable, with deep armchairs, open fires and boardgames, or tuck into conventional British dishes. There are nation stylish rooms for in a single day guests, too – three are model new for this 12 months and had been designed by Isabella Worsley.

Double rooms from £115 per night time;
sawdays.co.uk/thepheasant

THE MOLE INN
Toot Baldon, Oxfordshire

You’re deep within the countryside right here, and solely a stone’s throw from Harcourt Arboretum, so really spoilt for selection with strolling trails. Sarah, the proprietor of the charming Mole Inn, recommends the round route previous Toot Baldon church and thru fairly fields, with superb views throughout the Chilterns. Again on the pub there are roaring fires and cosy corners, pints of the native ale Hooky and treats for four-legged associates. 

sawdays.co.uk/pubs/themoleinn

THE GREYHOUND INN
Letcombe Regis, Oxfordshire

This 18th-century red-brick pub is ready within the coronary heart of a small village near the Uffington White Horse and is a well-liked draw for locals and guests. Pop in to choose up a strolling map: the traditional Ridgeway path is on the doorstep, or take the footpath to Warborough Hill above the village and luxuriate in dramatic views. When you’ve walked up an urge for food, return for a pint subsequent to the fireplace and possibly one thing from the domestically sourced menu. Showcasing seasonal produce is chef Liam Whittle’s speciality. 

Rooms for 2 from £95 per night time;
sawdays.co.uk/thegreyhoundoxfordshire

THE BELL AT SKENFRITH
Monmouthshire, Wales

The Bell stands by an historical stone bridge in a little-known valley, with stunning hills rising behind and a Norman fort paddling within the river a couple of ft from the entrance door. Inside, you’ll discover a locals’ bar for the odd recreation of rugby, sofas in entrance of a wood-burner within the sitting room, the Canine and Boot bar for canines and walkers with muddy boots, then an ethereal restaurant for some superb meals. There are six round walks from the door by way of a few of Monmouthshire’s most stunning countryside: the Coedanghred Hill stroll has legendary views of Sugar Loaf, Graig Syfyrddin, the Monnow Valley and Garway Hill. 

Double rooms from £150 per night time;
sawdays.co.uk/thebellatskenfrith

LLYS MEDDYG
Newport, Wales

Stroll from the door and in only a few minutes you may be on the estuary path that can take you over the Nevern Estuary and onto the seashore. There are miles of sand dunes to discover, or be part of the Pembrokeshire Coast Path in both course. Ebook forward for Llys Meddyg’s wonderful restaurant; you eat in model with a fireplace burning at one finish of the restaurant and good artwork hanging on the partitions. 

Double rooms from £100 per night time;
sawdays.co.uk/llysmeddyg 

THE HARP
Radnor, Powys

Deep within the nation, with rolling views, this historical Welsh longhouse is an genuine pub through which to relaxation after a stroll. Hergest Ridge is a close-by  favorite, with wild ponies, monkey puzzle bushes and breathtaking views. Contained in the Harp you’ll discover 14th-century slate flooring within the bar, tongue-andgroove in a room that matches a dozen diners, nooks and crannies filled with memorabilia, an historical curved settle, an vintage reader’s chair, two fires and a contented crowd. Accompany a pint of Wye Valley or Three Tuns bitter with domestically sourced steak and chips, sea bass with salsa verde, or a vegan or vegetarian dish.

Double rooms from £105 per night time;
sawdays.co.uk/theharp

THE DURHAM OX
close to York, Yorkshire

Discover comfortable workers, scrumptious well-sourced meals and plenty of house right here – it’s an excellent cease for walkers and canine lovers. The Crayke Property Stroll is a superb round route that begins proper from the pub and takes in pretty views previous Crayke Fort – it takes round two hours however word some fields might be muddy in winter, so deliver the wellies. Heat up afterwards with a domestically brewed gin on the bar.

Rooms for 2 from £165 per night time;
sawdays.co.uk/thedurhamox

THE ROEBUCK INN
Knutsford, Cheshire

The residents within the village of Mobberley are handled to not one, however three pubs from the Cheshire Cat crew – and the Roebuck dates again to 1708, now restored with love and elegance. Deliver your wellies for the four-mile route by way of the village’s woodland and fields; there’s a really helpful route and you’ll decide up instructions from the pub earlier than you start. Don’t overlook to pop into the Pub Hub store earlier than you permit, the place you’ll be able to decide up wonderful native specialities and expertly sourced wine.

Room for 2 from £130 per night time;
sawdays.co.uk/theroebuck

THE GOLDEN LION
Settle, Yorkshire

Generations of travellers have loved the welcome at this grand Seventeenth-century teaching inn, and Twenty first-century guests will find it irresistible simply as a lot. There’s lots to admire within the unique options, together with clean oak flooring and a wonderful inglenook fire within the grand entrance corridor. The pub is situated on the foot of the Pennines, amid the breathtaking surroundings of North Yorkshire, making it a wonderful base for walks. Return to a domestically sourced menu which locations its emphasis on consolation: attempt Settle Pudding (tender braised beef with a suet lid) and home made fish pie with parsley mash.

Double rooms from £75 per night time;
sawdays.co.uk/lionatsettle

THE QUEEN’S HEAD
Askham, Cumbria

Take a stroll across the Lowther property, a riverside stroll above the River Lowther, or in the event you’re in search of spectacular surroundings or one thing tougher, stroll up Askham Fell. When you’ve labored up an urge for food sit down for super-posh pub grub; just about every part that passes by way of the kitchen is reared, foraged and grown on the property’s farms. No matter you rise up to, you’ll be delighted to heat up in entrance of the wood-burner or prop up the sensible bar with a nightcap; you’ll be able to keep in a single day in one of many six sensible bedrooms, too. And ask about their common seasonal feasts, with lavish five-course taster menus.

Double rooms from £130 per night time;
sawdays.co.uk/thequeensheadaskham 

THE MEIKLEOUR ARMS
Meikleour, Perth & Kinross

An hour from Edinburgh, this massive property wrapped in historical woodland and steeped in historical past is a brilliant outdoorsy retreat. A lot of the meals you eat within the restaurant of this nation resort comes from the property – greens and herbs grown within the walled backyard, scallops hand-dived on the west coast and venison from the Meikleour forest. A 20-minute amble from the pub takes you right down to the river or into the woodland, at its most stunning on a winter’s day.

Double room from £100 per night time;
sawdays.co.uk/themeikleourarms

THE ALLANTON INN
Duns, Scottish Borders

Welcome to an untouched nook of the agricultural idyll that most individuals skip on their rush north. Nicely, there’s no rush right here, simply patchwork fields, rolling hills and the River Tweed. As for this cute little inn, it’s an excellent base from which to discover. The model is charming, the locals pleasant, the costs pretty, the meals a deal with. You’ll discover a smouldering hearth, contemporary flowers, good artwork and native ales.

Double rooms from £85 per night time;
sawdays.co.uk/theallantoninn

THE PACKHORSE
South Stoke, Tub

Pubs like this don’t come alongside typically, definitely not typically sufficient for our style. Lovely on the surface, and even higher inside, with a fairly backyard perched on the again, looking throughout Tub’s rolling countryside. There are limitless walks; you’ll be able to obtain a personalised leaflet instantly from their web site, which incorporates favourites such because the loop to Higher Midford – simply far sufficient to work up an urge for food. End within the pub the place there’s hearty fare, roaring fires and a heat welcome for all.

sawdays.co.uk/pubs/thepackhorse

THE BECKFORD ARMS
Salisbury, Wiltshire

The Fonthill Property has 10,000 acres of farmland, woodland and gardens to discover, and the Beckford Arms is completely positioned for romantic walks across the lakes or extra strenuous household hikes. Inside: a drawing room the place dealing with sofas are warmed by a roaring hearth; a restaurant with a wall of glass that opens onto the terrace; a bar for a wonderful native pint. As for the meals, it’s pretty stuff, with winter specials designed to heat the cockles.

Double rooms from £95 per night time;
sawdays.co.uk/thebeckfordarms

THE ROYAL GEORGE
Appledore, Devon

There’s a lovely informality to Sascha and Garth’s re-invention of the Royal George. Recent meals, skilfully cooked, is on the coronary heart of the affair; ingenious dishes sit alongside some classics, and there are good choices to your kids. Strive wonderful fish, Exmoor lamb, native pheasant and an excellent burger; there are additionally good wines and a variety of beers with a distinct native visitor ale each week. Walkers have the coast path, cyclists the Tarka Path; Sandy Instow is throughout the estuary, so is Tapeley Park; Rosemoor Backyard is half an hour’s drive. Additionally advantageous to deliver the canine. 

Double rooms from £90 per night time;
sawdays.co.uk/theroyalgeorge

THE KING’S ARMS
Dorchester, Dorset

There are winter cocktails, mince pies and whisky-cured chalk stream trout, all served in splendour on this renovated Dorchester teaching inn. Stroll the close by Maumbury Rings, a Neolithic Henge monument courting again to round 2,500BC; or in the event you’re feeling extra energetic take the 10-mile Dorchester to Weymouth path. Again on the pub there’s all the time a brilliant and hospitable buzz.

Double rooms from £95 per night time;
sawdays.co.uk/thekingsarms

TIMBRELL’S YARD
Bradford on Avon, Wiltshire

On the banks of the River Avon, and fewer than a 10-minute practice journey from town of Tub, sits Timbrell’s Yard – a cool inn with a buzzing ambiance. The crew advocate the seven-mile round to Avoncliff Aqueduct. You’ll end again on the pub, the place a coated out of doors terrace is the proper spot for a warming tipple. Ebook a desk within the eating room to revive your vitality ranges – there are wonderful veggie and vegan choices.

Double rooms from £85 per night time;
sawdays.co.uk/timbrellsyard

THE FUZZY DUCK
Stratford upon Avon, Warwickshire

Nestled within the rolling folds of the Cotswolds countryside, near the cultural hub of Stratford upon Avon, is that this 18th-century teaching inn, polished to perfection by Tania, Adrian and their crew. There are stunning fireplaces and gleaming tables, advantageous china and beneficiant sprays of untamed flowers – all of it tells a story of consolation and luxurious, whereas the smiling workers are rightly happy with this gem of a pub. You dine like kings and queens within the glowing bar, or within the intelligent conversion on the again, overlooking grounds which are half orchard, half walled backyard. You possibly can borrow wellies and a strolling map for bracing stomps by way of the close by fields and village. NB: There’s one other celebrated Duck pub in Stratford – the Black Swan beside the RSC auditorium, renamed The Soiled Duck by American troops billetted within the city throughout World Conflict II – however the Fuzzy is the cosier.

Double rooms from £110 per night time;
sawdays.co.uk/thefuzzyduck

THE BLUE BALL INN
Grantchester, Cambridgeshire

Completely positioned overlooking Grantchester Meadows, simply two miles from Cambridge metropolis centre, this pub serves home-cooked fare with a heat welcome. There’s a good looking stroll that takes within the “backs” of the universities, earlier than becoming a member of the river path again by way of the meadow. The village’s annual Barrel Race is a spotlight; the Blue Bull’s women’ crew are the reigning champions within the relay race, which sees the native pubs tackle each other by rolling a wood barrel. However even in the event you miss the competitors and related festivities, you’ll be able to look ahead to a warming ale by the hearth all through the winter months.

Double rooms from £120 per night time;
sawdays.co.uk/theblueballinn

THE RED PUMP INN
Clitheroe, Lancashire

Down meandering lanes within the pretty Ribble Valley is a good-looking roadside inn. Within the cosy comfortable bar: flag flooring, crackling fires, oak settles and tables, and shuttered home windows with spectacular views throughout the valley. Near Stonyhurst Faculty, Whalley Abbey, Pendle Hill, Hurst Inexperienced and the wonderful views by way of the Trough of Bowland, you’re spoilt for selection for wintery walks close by.

Double rooms from £100 per night time;
sawdays.co.uk/redpumpinn

THE HUNDRED HOUSE HOTEL
Shifnal, Shropshire

The Phillips household have been on the helm for 25 years, and Henry is an innkeeper with humour. As for the inn, having begun its life within the 14th century, it rambles charmingly inside in addition to out. Enter a world of blazing log fires, mushy brick partitions, oak panelling and quarry-tiled flooring, whereas blackboard menus trumpet Hundred Home fish pie, roast rack of Shropshire lamb and double chocolate mousse with orange anglaise. Nestled in rural Shropshire close to the Welsh border, stroll from the door to catch spectacular views.

Double rooms from £79 per night time;
sawdays.co.uk/hundredhouse

THE BULL & SWAN AT BURGHLEY
Stamford, Lincolnshire

This historical inn sits a brief stroll from the center of the wonderful Burghley property – celebrated for the annual world-class three-day equestrian occasion – the place you’ll be able to stroll within the grounds and gardens that encompass Burghley Home itself. Contained in the Bull & Swan you’ll uncover varnished wooden floors, golden stone partitions, fires smouldering in grates everywhere and newspapers hanging on poles. On the bar there’s a raft of native ales and splendid wines, and you’ll eat wherever you need. Deliver the canine, too. 

Rooms from £100 per night time;
sawdays.co.uk/thebullandswan