Traditional English pubs in unexpected locations

This riverside inn dates to 560 and ranks among the oldest continuously operating pubs in England. The Old Ferry Boat Inn preserves its original structure with an open fireplace and Tudor beams across the ceiling. The location on the Great Ouse River once made the building an important stop for ferry passengers. The pub serves regional food and various local beers in its historic rooms, maintaining the traditional English pub culture in a rural Cambridgeshire setting.

This 16th century pub sits in Hampstead and appears in Charles Dickens' novel David Copperfield. John Keats also visited The Spaniards Inn during his time in London. The historic building displays typical features of Tudor era tavern architecture, including low ceiling beams and open fireplaces. The menu covers regional dishes and various beer selections. The location in a London neighborhood makes this pub an unusual example of traditional English drinking culture away from rural settings. The literary connections underscore the cultural significance of this establishment in English history. The building retains much of its original character despite centuries of continuous operation.

The Turf Tavern occupies a medieval alley in Oxford and ranks among the oldest pubs in the city. The building dates from the 13th century and displays low ceilings with exposed wooden beams and stone walls. This pub sits tucked between college buildings and offers several small rooms plus an outdoor area. The selection includes regional beers and traditional dishes. The location among historic university structures makes this pub an example of English pub culture in an unexpected setting.

This pub in Bury St Edmunds occupies 15 square meters (161 square feet) and has served beer since 1867 in its Victorian interior. The Nutshell maintains its original fittings, including wood paneling and a small bar that holds several taps for regional ales. The narrow room accommodates approximately 15 standing patrons and displays historical photographs of the town on its walls. The pub serves traditional pub snacks and stocks rotating beers from East Anglian breweries.

This historic Oxford pub served as the regular meeting place for the Inklings, a literary group that included J.R.R. Tolkien and C.S. Lewis, between 1930 and 1960. The Eagle and Child sits in the city center and preserves the setting where these writers gathered to read and discuss their work. The pub serves a selection of regional beers and traditional English food. Wood paneling and small rooms recall the era when the Inklings met here. The Eagle and Child remains a working pub that connects its literary history with daily operations.

This historic inn in Tillington sits a few miles from Petworth and has become a destination for visitors seeking traditional English pub culture paired with regional cooking. The Horse & Guards Inn sources ingredients from its own garden and works with Sussex producers. The seasonal menu changes with harvest cycles and reflects the culinary diversity of the region. The building dates to the 18th century and combines traditional architecture with contemporary dining. The drink selection includes local beers and English ales.

This pub was carved directly into the sandstone beneath Nottingham Castle during the 15th century and represents the unusual locations of traditional English drinking establishments. The rock-hewn rooms provide direct insight into medieval construction techniques and the long history of beer-house culture in England. The Bell Inn combines historical architecture with regional beer-serving traditions and demonstrates how pubs adapted to the natural geology of their surroundings.

This pub was established in 1189 and occupies caves beneath Nottingham Castle. The building served as a stopping point for Crusaders traveling to Jerusalem. Ye Olde Trip To Jerusalem displays historical architecture with stone vaulting and cave chambers dating from the medieval period. The pub serves traditional English food and a selection of regional beers. The location within the sandstone caves makes this pub an example of traditional English pubs in unexpected locations, combining local beer culture with historical premises.

This 14th century pub occupies a hillside position overlooking the village of Branscombe and represents the tradition of English pubs in remote rural settings. The Masons Arms retains medieval architectural features and has served as a gathering place for locals and travelers for centuries. The kitchen focuses on regional dishes from Devon, and the pub offers several local beer selections. Its coastal location makes it a starting point for walks along the cliffs and through the village below.

This historic pub is considered one of the oldest drinking establishments in Wales and served as a courthouse and execution site during the 12th century. The Skirrid Mountain Inn preserves its medieval past and fits this collection of traditional English pubs in unexpected locations. The building stands in the Welsh Marches and offers regional food alongside a selection of local beers.

This 18th century pub in Devizes combines historical architecture with regional brewing culture. The Black Swan serves hand-brewed beers from local breweries and traditional English dishes in a building featuring four open fireplaces in the conservatory. The interior preserves its original features and offers visitors insight into centuries-old English pub tradition. The establishment sits in the historic center of Devizes and represents the beer culture of this Wiltshire region. The selection includes various beer styles from the surrounding area alongside classic English cuisine.

This pub in central London was rebuilt in 1667 after the Great Fire of London and retained its original 13th century cellar vaults. Ye Olde Cheshire Cheese displays traditional English pub architecture with low ceiling beams, interconnected rooms and wood paneling. The establishment serves regional food and various beer selections in a setting that reflects several historical periods of the city.

This pub is the only establishment in Britain with two Michelin stars that operates as a traditional public house, serving modern British cuisine in a restored 17th-century building. The menu combines classic pub dishes with refined cooking techniques and sources regional ingredients from the Thames Valley area. The historic character of the building remains visible in the dining rooms, with exposed timber beams and open fireplaces, while the kitchen maintains contemporary standards.

This traditional tavern dating from 1546 sits hidden in a narrow alley between two buildings in Hatton Garden. Ye Olde Mitre Tavern ranks among the oldest surviving London pubs and serves regional food alongside a selection of English beers. The location in an inconspicuous passageway makes this pub an unusual example of historical drinking establishments in central urban areas that have retained their original structure.

This Tudor-era pub preserves original timber beams and stone walls dating to 1520. Seven Stars Pub combines historical English architecture with local beer culture, offering regional food and various beer selections. The building displays characteristic features of medieval craftsmanship and ranks among Brighton's older public houses.

This pub dates to 1875 and stands on the grounds of a former Dominican friary, preserving its historical character through bronze reliefs, marble columns and mosaic ceilings. The interior blends medieval religious motifs with Victorian craftsmanship. Located in the financial district, the establishment serves traditional English food and a selection of regional beers that connect visitors with centuries of English brewing tradition.

Built in 1880, this pub displays a facade with Spanish elements, tall windows and ornate stonework throughout its structure. Crown Posada represents the diverse architecture of traditional English pubs and serves regional food alongside a selection of local beers in a historic building in Newcastle's city center.

This historic pub in the Chiltern Hills has been the site of numerous diplomatic meetings between heads of state, embodying the role of English pubs as informal venues for negotiation. The building dates from the 17th century and serves traditional British cuisine alongside regional beer selections. Its secluded location in the Buckinghamshire countryside makes it an unusual destination for high-level political discussions, offering visitors insight into the connection between pub culture and British diplomacy.

This thatched waterside inn sits in Mylor Bridge, Cornwall and serves seafood alongside regional dishes. The Pandora Inn dates to the 13th century and maintains interior and exterior seating areas overlooking the Restronguet Creek waterways. The menu features Cornish beers and ciders along with seasonal ingredients sourced locally. The building preserves original stone walls, low beam ceilings and open fireplaces. Guests reach the establishment via a narrow country lane or by boat during high tide.

This inn sits on a hilltop overlooking the surrounding Lake District landscape. The establishment operates its own brewery and serves regional dishes. The beer garden provides outdoor seating during warmer months. The Drunken Duck Inn combines traditional English pub culture with local brewing traditions and represents the type of pub that produces its own beers and regional cuisine in remote countryside locations.

This 17th century riverside pub stands on the Thames embankment with a garden area offering direct river views. The Dove Inn has a documented literary history, with past patrons including Ernest Hemingway and other writers who worked and socialized here. The bar serves regional ales and traditional food in historic rooms featuring original architectural details. Its Hammersmith location makes it a practical stop for visitors combining historic pubs with access to central districts.

This pub sits on the Jurassic Coast overlooking the English Channel. The Anchor Inn serves local seafood and a selection of regional beers. The location provides direct access to coastal hiking paths that traverse the fossil-rich shoreline. The pub combines traditional English hospitality with the maritime character of a remote Dorset coastal settlement, drawing both walkers completing sections of the South West Coast Path and visitors exploring the geological heritage of the area.

This traditional pub dating from 1750 houses an extensive collection of historical photographs and objects that document local history. The exterior of The Churchill Arms is decorated with flowers. The pub serves regional dishes and a selection of beers from English breweries. Its location in Kensington makes it an example of historical pubs found in urban London neighborhoods.

This pub stands at 528 meters (1,732 feet) above sea level in Yorkshire Dales National Park, making it one of the highest licensed premises in England. The remote location means that guests can find themselves snowed in for several days during winter storms. Tan Hill Inn serves regional beers and traditional food in a setting that reflects the harsh conditions of the northern English moorlands. The historic establishment has served as a resting point for travelers and traders on ancient routes across the Pennines for centuries. The exposed elevation makes this pub an unusual example of British hospitality in challenging terrain.

This 18th-century pub sits within Dartmoor National Park and demonstrates how English pub culture thrives in remote moorland settings. The Rugglestone Inn serves regional food and local beers in a stone building surrounded by heathland and granite outcrops. The location in Widecombe-in-the-Moor makes this pub an example of rural establishments where walkers and locals gather. The architecture follows regional building traditions with thick stone walls and low ceilings that reflect the harsh climate of the moorlands.