The cosiest country pubs with rooms for a boutique escape
The best way to reward an amble in the countryside is to warm up in a cosy pub – and it’s even better when it’s a pub with rooms, so you can settle in for the night (or a wonderful weekend break).
BRITAIN'S BEST PUBS WITH ROOMS
From traditional pubs with just a handful of rooms to historic coaching inns, staying overnight at a pub will give you a great base for exploring some of the finest rural destinations in the country, whether you fancy stopping over somewhere close to the Cornwall coast or seeing a slightly less-explored part of the north-west, just outside of the Peak District.
Gin lovers should head straight to the Swan Inn in a traditional Cotswold village, where you can spend your time tasting the tipple, touring a distillery and even making your own version.
Or book in at one of the best pubs in Britain, which has almost two acres of grounds, an award-winning beer garden and six bedrooms, so you can spend a little time getting to know the North Norfolk Coast Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.
Brave the ghost of a Scandinavian timber merchant with a trip to Shropshire’s Bear Inn, which has an underground warren of cellars and tunnels, once used as a smuggling route and to hide priests.
Read on for the countryside’s finest pubs with rooms to visit in 2025…
The Duncombe Arms, Derbyshire
Close to the Peak District, the Dove Valley offers alternative but equally scenic walking trails to seasoned hikers of the north-west’s much-loved national park. It’s on the border between Derbyshire and Staffordshire, with walks that capture the imagination – parts of the countryside have been nicknamed ‘Dragon’s Back’, for their resemblance to a certain mythical beast and imaginative sorts believe that there are dragons lurking in these hills.
Once you’ve steered clear of any fiery breath, there are few finer places to be refreshed than warm and welcoming pub with rooms The Duncombe Arms, which serves up comforting dishes including cod with short rib tortelloni, celeriac velouté and white beans, and Marmite-roasted cauliflower with green peppercorn jus. To start, don't miss the sourdough made on-site.
The Swan Inn, Cotswolds
If you’re more about the great indoors than alfresco activities, then you’ll love the Swan Inn in the village of Ascott-under-Wychwood in the Cotswolds, a 16th-century coaching inn with 11 bedrooms. Sheltered things to do include enrolling in its gin school, where you’ll make your own gin, along with trips and tastings at the Wood Brothers distillery.
For those hoping to enjoy fresh air, the pub staff can help to arrange shooting parties at nearby estates, with feasts for up to 14 in the dining room to come home to. And you’ll also be able to embark on some walking or cycling tours.
The Brisley Bell, Norfolk
The Brisley Bell in Norfolk has been lauded for both its pub and beer garden. It’s on the village common in Brisley, with views of the surrounding countryside and those famous big Norfolk skies.
The location means you’ll be between Norwich and the county’s spectacular coast, which includes the northern stretches that are an official Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. The pub is set in just under two acres of grounds, which means there’s plenty to stick around for if you stay overnight in one of its bedrooms.
The Pheasant Inn, Berkshire
This historic inn near the village of Shefford Woodlands and Berkshire’s Valley of the Racehorse has been offering refuge to people for 450 years, having given shelter to drovers herding livestock between Wales and London. The Pheasant Inn has had a makeover since then, of course, with smart televisions, Egyptian cottons and colourful, contemporary soft furnishings in each of its 14 rooms.
Go antiques hunting in Hungerford, visit the market town of Marlborough or drive the 20 minutes or so to Downton Abbey itself (AKA Highclere Castle). You’ll also be on the edge of the North Wessex Downs AONB and all of its wonderful walking trails.
The Bear Inn, Shropshire
In the Shropshire village of Hodnet, this 16th-century coaching inn has been catering to its patrons for several centuries now and it’s as much a part of the local community as ever. It’s opposite the Norman church and Hodnet Hall in the village, whose name means ‘peaceful valley’.
Underground, ancient tunnels and cellars once hid monks, and formed a smuggling route for tax-avoiding publicans. The Bear Inn also once had a bear pit and is apparently haunted by the ghost of a Scandinavian timber merchant. These days, it’s a far tamer affair, with Shropshire ales on tap, cuts from the owners’ cattle, produce grown in a 200-year-old walled garden, cosy fireplaces and charming bedrooms.
The Wheatsheaf Inn, Cotswolds
Surrounded by Gloucestershire countryside in the attractive village of Northleach, this traditional inn has landscaped gardens, a private dining area for six and an outdoor pizza oven and heated marquee for the warmer months.
The creeper-covered, 17th-century Wheatsheaf Inn seamlessly blends old with new: fires and flagstone floors are present and correct, with pop art portraits and repurposed retro chairs adding a modern touch. There are circular trails for hikers to embark on right outside, with seasonal great British pub fare waiting for you on your return – expect twice-baked cheddar soufflés, Cornish mussels and ham hock terrine.
The Old Success Inn, Cornwall
Cornwall may have no shortage of stunning shorelines, but Sennen Cove – where you’ll find the Old Success Inn – is certainly one of them. The inn’s maritime heritage, helpfully displayed by the nautical memorabilia on the walls, spans several centuries. Expect the pub food to feature classic fish and chips, fish finger rolls, seafood linguine and steak frites.
Guests can hire a boat in which to explore the coast, attempt a surfing lesson or simply stay put on the deck and enjoy that view. You’ll be close to coastal walks, Land’s End and the Minack Theatre, with a Cornish ale by the fire to hurry back for.
The White Buck, New Forest
The New Forest has lots of cosy places to hide out in, but few can rival the White Buck, a Tudor-style manor with leather armchairs, tasselled curtains and wood-panelled walls near Burley. Its heritage includes a spell as a popular music venue, with acts such as Gerry and the Pacemakers once taking to its stage.
There are 20 bedrooms to choose from, some of which have roll-top bath tubs. Design details include polished wooden floors and joyfully patterned wallpaper. Even the pet amenities are stylish, with mats, balls, towels and treats laid out to make your dog feel as welcome as you do.
The Hare & Hounds, Newbury
The word ‘pub’ doesn’t quite do the Hare & Hounds justice, since the interiors are just so polished – and the wine fridge elevates it, too. Along with cosy seats in the main pub area and beside the log-burner, there’s a dining room with brick walls and beamed ceilings, where you can enjoy classic dishes. The rooms in the Georgian coaching inn are just as refined, with plump beds, Bramley bath products and wallpaper depicting framed pictures of assorted animals.
The corridors have more irreverent portraiture on the walls, including the paint-splashed faces of famous monarchs. It’s within walking distance of the remains of Donnington Castle, and a short drive to Newbury Racecourse and Highclere Castle.
The Bell & Crown, Wiltshire
This coaching inn is in the village of Zeals, on the Wiltshire, Dorset and Somerset borders. The six bedrooms above the pub each have handmade lampshades, Egyptian cotton sheets and toiletries by sustainable British brand Land&Water.
Other more unusual additions include antique French nursing chairs, Berber rugs sourced from Morocco and an impressive array of artwork. There’s a seating area with a tent outside and the pub itself has original features – including its flagstone floors and open fireplaces – intact.
The Percy Arms, Surrey
In the heart of the Surrey Hills, an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, the Percy Arms is a classic British country pub, but with a South African twist. It’s in the village of Chilworth, but more exotic additions come in the form of African artefacts such as woven fabrics and animal skins. Oversized cushions and handmade Windsor chairs add to the colonial hunting-lodge style.
The five bedrooms have a similar theme and are even named after the safari big five (in their Zulu equivalents). There’s a pantry and butcher shop attached, so if you enjoyed your Sunday roast and want to take a joint home for your freezer, you can.
The Plough at Lupton, Cumbria
For anyone hoping to hike through some of the most spectacular countryside in England, this is the pub with rooms for you. The Plough at Lupton has the Lakes to its north, the Yorkshire Dales to its east and the Forest of Bowland to its south.
The pub hosts a steak night every Thursday and other menu highlights include favourites such as fish and chips, and a pie of the day, along with more modern dishes, such as maple-glazed hispi cabbage with sesame and oyster mushroom, and beef ragu with gnocchi, burrata and rocket.
The Bull, the Cotswolds
Formed from two pubs, one of which was originally a monks’ chanting house, the Bull is in the village of Fairford, near Cirencester. It was also a coaching inn on the London to Gloucester turnpike road. A secret tunnel was recently discovered leading from the hotel to the local church, St Mary’s, which has a renowned set of medieval stained-glass windows.
Activities for guests include fly-fishing for trout and grayling on the River Coln, and touring the honey-coloured villages of the Cotswolds, from Burford to Broadway.
The Gin Trap Inn, Norfolk
A refuge for farmers, fishermen and smugglers since 1668, the Gin Trap is in the village of Ringstead and close to the North Norfolk coast. The coaching inn’s character has been preserved in the 13 rooms, each of which has antique furnishings, a unique headboard and colourful cushions.
As well as the 100-plus gins that you’d hope the name would suggest, the pub serves an excellent selection of wines, whiskies and ales.
The Princess Royal, London
For something a little different in London, book the Princess Royal, a charming pub with rooms in Notting Hill, which will give you the dream temporary postcode and an antidote to the many bigger, more nondescript hotels available in the capital. The classic neighbourhood pub has a handful of rooms for overnight guests, with patterned wallpaper and colourful headboards creating the cosy atmosphere.
The star of the show is the restaurant itself, with a lovely shaded outdoor area to enjoy during the summer months. Acclaimed chef Ben Tish oversees the refined pub grub on offer, which includes platters of oysters and meats from the grill, alongside dishes such as sea-bass crudo with blood orange, gnocchi with courgettes, mint, chilli and Parmesan, and pork chop with romesco and tropea onions.
The George Hathersage, Derbyshire
Calling all fans of English literature: this historic pub with rooms in the Peak District was once frequented by Charlotte Brontë. The 500-year-old coaching inn has just reopened after extensive renovations, following flood damage by a storm in the autumn of 2023 that led to an eight-month closure. The George has bounced back, though, with a new courtyard ready for a sunny summer, refurbished bedrooms and a redesigned private-dining space, slightly ominously called the Dragon’s Den (but no business pitches are required).
Locals will be pleased to have the pub back in business, and there’s a new menu in time for the season, designed by executive chef Adrian Gagea, who trained with Raymond Blanc. Diners can expect to enjoy dishes such as spiced lamb ballotine with vegetable skewers, heritage tomato salad with truffle and tahini yogurt dressing, and wood-fired pizzas. As always, the chefs use ingredients supplied by local farms and artisan producers, supplying perfect sustenance for guests ahead of days out exploring the Peak District.
The Queen’s Head, Wiltshire
In the Wiltshire village of Broad Chalke, 10 miles or so outside of Salisbury, the Queen’s Head has all of the cosy corners, flagstone floors and inglenook fireplaces you’d hope for in a quintessential English pub with rooms. For sunny days, guests can be tempted away from the hearth to the courtyard to the rear, and there’s also a paddock over the road for more alfresco drinking and dining opportunities.
The 19th-century pub, which sits in the Chalke Valley, was once a part of the Earl of Pembroke’s estate. The menu serves classic pub fare, such as burgers and pies, alongside more refined plates, such as Cornish ray wing with monk’s beard and Herdwick lamb with salsa verde and borlotti beans. For guests hoping to stay overnight, there are four rooms located in an outbuilding at the back, with more in the works above the pub.
The Turtley Corn Mill, Devon
If you’re in search of a pub with rooms in Devon, book a stay at the Turtley Corn Mill in the beautiful South Hams. It’s the perfect base for exploring this photogenic corner of the country, with Totnes, Salcombe, Dartmouth and Kingsbridge just some of the places of note nearby.
Guests can choose between rooms in the pub itself, or, for something a little different, one of the pair of lodges by the lake, which have serene views of the water and armchairs that are perfectly positioned to enjoy them. Also on hand to keep guests entertained is the giant chess set in the garden.
The Double Red Duke, Cotswolds
The decor of this Oxfordshire pub with rooms effortlessly mixes old with new: wooden beams, statement wallpaper on one wall, eye-catching headboards, black slipper bath tubs and creaky window frames. Dishes include great British pub classics such as duck liver parfait and, of course, fish and chips, along with more modern additions: glazed celeriac with oyster mushrooms, hazelnut and truffle, and wood-fired aubergine with miso and sesame. Unsurprisingly, the hearty fare is well suited to feasts for parties of eight or more.
The cosy Double Red Duke may be calling, but guests can also go fly-fishing for wild trout in local streams and lakes; or make a trip to Kelmscott Manor, the summer retreat of William Morris, and Blenheim Palace.
The Masons Arms, Devon
Pubs with rooms don’t come more historic than the Masons Arms, in the Devon village of Branscombe. The building dates all the way back to 1350, with thatched roofs, stone walls and low beams all adding to the charm. More modern additions include the outdoor heaters, which ensure guests can enjoy the patio area whatever the weather.
Speaking of cosy winter days though, the fireplace is where to head with a boardgame and a round of beers, or you can be sure of finding a snug corner to read in thanks to the pub’s many old nooks.
Bull Burford, Oxfordshire
One of the most exciting arrivals to the Oxfordshire dining scene recently was the Bull Burford, in the namesake Cotswolds village. The 16th-century, Grade II-listed inn has been transformed into a boutique hotel, with three dining experiences for guests to enjoy. The signature restaurant Horn is where to head for Sunday roasts (available until 6pm every week), and other dishes such as Norfolk chicken rosti and crab toast.
Groups will be able to book the 30-seat communal table at Wild, an outdoor kitchen with an open grill. And the Terrace dispenses everything from smash burgers to curries and flatbreads at weekends when the weather’s fine.
The Millbrook Inn, Devon
If you’re hiking the scenic South West Coast Path and find yourself in need of refuge, the Millbrook Inn is on hand to offer more than just shelter. You can be sure of a hearty meal for a start, thanks to chef Tom Westerland, formerly of the Michelin-starred kitchens of Lucknam Park in Wiltshire and a contestant on Great British Menu.
If you’re in the area in late spring or summer, you’ll be able to arrive by boat to the creek’s pontoon and enjoy food cooked on the pub’s outdoor grill, with organic meat sourced from the family’s farm. The pub has two cottages attached, aptly named ‘Land’ and ‘Sea’.
The Pier House, Cornwall
Keen cold-water swimmers will enjoy a trip to the Pier House in Cornwall, where some of the rooms have DryRobes hanging in the wardrobes, on hand to help you warm up post-dip. The pub with rooms is set along Charlestown’s historic Georgian harbour, famous for its tall ships, overlooking St Austell Bay. It may look familiar to eagle-eyed Poldark fans.
From a cosy window seat at the inn, you can watch the storms roll in, and the restaurant is just as snug, with a fire on hand to ensure diners are toasty as they feast on delicious locally sourced produce.
Red Lion, Hertfordshire
If you’re in need of a pub with rooms near London, look no further than the Red Lion in Radlett, which has stood in the namesake Hertfordshire village for more than 100 years. The Young’s pub has 13 bedrooms ready for weary guests to retire to after enjoying the seasonal all-day menu.
The pub is opposite the railway station, which means easy access into central London, and you’ll also be perfectly placed for visiting the Warner Brothers Harry Potter studio tour (especially handy if you’re bringing the kids) and the Roman ruins at Verulamium.
The Castle Inn, Wiltshire
The beautiful village of Castle Combe is the backdrop to this pub with rooms in Wiltshire. The Castle Inn is on the market square, surrounded by the golden stone houses the region is famed for. Also nearby is the Bybrook River – England doesn’t get much more idyllic than this.
Alongside the pub, which is the holder of two AA Rosettes, there are 12 bedrooms for weary travellers (or just those who have over-indulged) to rest their heads. Diners at the charmingly higgledly-piggledy pub can expect to enjoy seasonal plates, such as confit Creedy Carver duck and ale rarebit, pork belly with a bubble and squeak croquette, hand-dived scallop, beetroot and apple, and battered haddock with beef-dripping chips.
The Bedford Arms, Hertfordshire
Over in the Chilterns, the Bedford Arms is conveniently placed for day trips into the capital, as well as for exploring the Hertfordshire countryside if you’re after something a little more bucolic. It’s in the village of Chenies, near Rickmansworth, on the county borders between Buckinghamshire and Hertfordshire.
There are 15 bedrooms to retire to after some classic pub fare in the restaurant – feast on Bloody Mary prawn cocktails, Brixham whole sole served with brown shrimp and prosecco beurre blanc, or pan-roasted pheasant with crushed celeriac and a cherry jus.
The Carnarvon Arms, Berkshire
If you’re in Berkshire to visit the real-life Downtown Abbey, known in real life as Highclere Castle, this is the aptly named pub with rooms for you to stay in, since The Carnarvon Arms is right by the boundaries of Lord and Lady Carnarvon’s rather vast estate.
Unsurprisingly, the manor gets a lot of attention from overseas visitors, but it does open frequently throughout the year, for everything from festive afternoon teas to guided tours – just be sure to book your tickets early. Also on show is the estate’s Egyptian Exhibition – the 5th Earl of Carnarvon funded the 1922 discovery of Tutankhamun’s tomb, excavated with the help of the British archaeologist Howard Carter.
The Punch Bowl Inn, Lake District
In the Lyth Valley, with views of damson trees and orchards, the Punch Bowl Inn offers refuge to walkers returning from rambles in the fells. It’s equipped for every season, with a fireplace to warm up the winters and a terrace to enjoy in the summer.
The pub, in the sleepy village of Crosthwaite, dates back to 1829, when it was also a blacksmith’s shop. It’s a 15-minute drive to Windermere, but you have endless rolling hills to explore first – the region is famed for its damsons and the especially lovely shade of green of its countryside.
More country escapes:
- Where to stay in Pembrokeshire
- The best accommodation in the Brecon Beacons
- Top luxury hotels in Northumberland
- The finest places to stay in Yorkshire
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