The 10 Best Pubs in the UK You Have to Visit at Least Once in Your Life

What makes a truly great British pub? It’s a question that could spark a debate lasting long into the night, fuelled by the very subject it discusses. Is it the perfectly poured pint of cask ale, the glass sweating with condensation? Or is it the roaring log fire that beckons you in from the biting winter cold? Maybe it’s the history, the sense that generations have laughed, cried, and put the world to rights on the very same wonky stool you’re now occupying.

The truth is, a great pub is an alchemy. It’s a delicate, almost magical blend of atmosphere, quality drinks, hearty food, and a sense of belonging. It’s a community hub, a historical landmark, and a personal sanctuary all rolled into one. It’s the place you celebrate a new job and the place you commiserate a loss. The British pub is an institution, a cornerstone of the national identity that has weathered plagues, wars, and even the invention of the smartphone.

Crafting a “best of” list is, therefore, a fool’s errand. It’s subjective, personal, and bound to miss out on someone’s beloved local. But some pubs transcend the personal. They are cathedrals of conviviality, offering an experience so unique, so quintessentially British, that they demand a pilgrimage. Consider this not a definitive ranking, but a bucket list—a curated journey through the heart and soul of the UK, one pint at a time. Here are ten pubs you simply have to visit.

1. The Old Pheasant, Glaston

Let’s get this straight from the off: The Old Pheasant isn’t just a pub; it’s the very platonic ideal of a British country inn. Nestled in the tiny, impossibly charming village of Glaston in Rutland, England’s smallest county, this place is a postcard brought to life. You see it as you approach—a glorious 17th-century stone building with a traditional thatched roof and climbing roses framing the entrance. It practically sighs with history.

Stepping inside is like stepping back in time, but without the questionable sanitation. Low-beamed ceilings, a gargantuan inglenook fireplace that could roast an entire ox, and mismatched wooden furniture create an immediate sense of warmth and comfort. This isn’t a gastropub trying to be a country pub; it is a country pub. The ales, often from local breweries like Grainstore, are kept impeccably. The food is elevated but unpretentious—think slow-braised lamb shank that falls off the bone and a Sunday roast that could make a grown man weep. It’s the kind of place you stumble upon during a country walk and end up staying for five hours. It’s perfect.

2. The Clachan Inn, Drymen

Heading north of the border, we find ourselves at the gateway to the Scottish Highlands and on the doorstep of what claims to be Scotland’s oldest registered licensed premises. The Clachan Inn has been quenching the thirst of drovers, walkers, and locals since 1734. Situated on the famous West Highland Way, it’s a vital and welcome stop for weary hikers, offering a genuine slice of Scottish hospitality. The vibe here is utterly authentic—no frills, no pretensions, just good cheer, a fantastic selection of whiskies, and a roaring fire. It’s a place built on conversation. You’ll find yourself chatting with locals about the weather, a group of Germans about their hiking adventure, and the bartender about the merits of a particular single malt. It’s a melting pot of stories, all set against a backdrop of tartan and stone.

3. The Skirrid Mountain Inn, Abergavenny

Fancy a pint with a side of paranormal activity? Welcome to The Skirrid Mountain Inn in Wales, one of Britain’s oldest and most haunted pubs. The history here is long, dark, and utterly fascinating. Part of the building was reputedly used as a courthouse where scores of criminals were condemned to death by hanging—the execution beam is still gruesomely visible. The spirits of those unfortunate souls are said to linger, with visitors reporting spooky occurrences from glasses flying off shelves to the chilling sensation of a rope tightening around their neck. But even if you don’t believe in ghosts, The Skirrid is a marvel. It’s a gnarled, ancient building that feels steeped in legend, a place where you can sip a pint of Welsh ale and feel the immense weight of history around you.

4. The Turks Head, St Agnes

Cornwall is famed for its rugged coastline, smuggling history, and, of course, its fantastic pubs. The Turks Head in St Agnes combines all three. This 13th-century pub, with its low ceilings and thick stone walls, feels like it was hewn from the very cliffs it overlooks. It’s a proper smuggler’s haunt, a place where you can almost hear the whispered conversations of pirates and wreckers from centuries past. In the summer, its sun-trap beer garden is a slice of paradise. In the winter, it’s a cosy refuge from the Atlantic gales. Grab a pint of St Austell Brewery’s finest, order a fresh crab sandwich, and soak in the atmosphere. It’s the Cornish experience, distilled.

5. The Mitre, Richmond

Perfectly positioned on the banks of the River Thames, The Mitre is the quintessential London riverside pub. While central London has its historic boozers, The Mitre offers something different: a sense of escape. On a sunny Saturday, there are few better places to be. The large terrace buzzes with a cheerful, well-heeled crowd, watching rowers glide past and soaking up the glorious view towards Richmond Bridge. It’s more than just a pretty face, though. Inside, it’s a classic pub with dark wood panelling and a great range of beers and wines. It manages to feel both sophisticated and utterly relaxed. My friend Sarah swears she once saw a member of the Rolling Stones quietly enjoying a pint here, and frankly, it’s that kind of place—effortlessly cool, timeless, and a perfect spot to watch the world go by.

6. The Tan Hill Inn, Yorkshire Dales

Location, location, location. Standing at 1,732 feet above sea level, The Tan Hill Inn is officially the highest pub in Great Britain. This isn’t a pub you just pop into; you have to commit to getting here. The journey across the desolate, beautiful expanse of the Yorkshire Dales is part of the experience. Once you arrive, you’re rewarded with a pub that is as rugged and resilient as its surroundings. It’s famous for its lock-ins—not the after-hours kind, but the kind where patrons and staff get snowed in for days at a time. It famously happened to an Oasis tribute band a few years back. The welcome is always warm, the fires are always lit, and the sense of camaraderie among the patrons is palpable. You’ve all made it.

7. The Philharmonic Dining Rooms, Liverpool

Forget everything you think you know about pub interiors. ‘The Phil’ in Liverpool is less a pub and more a palace. This Grade I listed Victorian masterpiece is an opulent explosion of mahogany, stained glass, and intricate mosaics. Commissioned during Liverpool’s golden age as a port city, no expense was spared. Even the gentlemen’s toilets are a tourist attraction, featuring lavish marble urinals that have achieved legendary status. It’s a place that commands a sense of occasion. You feel you should be drinking champagne, but a perfectly served pint of local ale feels just as special in such magnificent surroundings. It’s a testament to Victorian ambition and a truly unforgettable place to have a drink.

8. The Churchill Arms, Kensington

You’ll see The Churchill Arms before you properly register it. In summer, the pub’s exterior disappears under a breathtaking cascade of over 100 hanging baskets and 40-plus window boxes. It’s a horticultural marvel that has won the Chelsea Flower Show’s ‘London in Bloom’ competition more times than anyone can count. But the spectacle doesn’t stop outside. The interior is a treasure trove of Churchill memorabilia, brass fittings, and general bric-a-brac. And then there’s the surprise twist: at the back of this most English of pubs is one of London’s best and most-loved Thai restaurants, serving up fragrant, authentic dishes amidst the chaos. It’s eccentric, it’s beautiful, and it’s utterly brilliant.

9. The Eagle and Child, Oxford

For lovers of literature, this is hallowed ground. Nicknamed ‘The Bird and Baby’, this unassuming Oxford pub was the meeting place for ‘The Inklings’, a literary group that included none other than J.R.R. Tolkien and C.S. Lewis. It was within these walls that they discussed the fledgling drafts of The Lord of the Rings and The Chronicles of Narnia. To sit in the same small, wood-panelled back room where these titans of fantasy shaped their worlds is a profound experience. While it has recently faced closures and changes, its historical significance is undeniable. It’s a pub that reminds us that world-changing ideas can be born from a simple chat over a pint.

10. The Old Forge, Inverie

Earning its spot through sheer bloody-minded remoteness, The Old Forge in Inverie, Scotland, is officially the most remote pub on the British mainland. There are no roads in. You can either take a ferry or face a gruelling 18-mile hike over a mountain range. This is destination drinking at its most extreme. The reward for your epic journey is a warm welcome at a pub that doubles as the beating heart of this tiny, isolated community. The seafood is caught metres from the door, the ale is refreshing, and the live music sessions are legendary. It’s more than a pub; it’s a lifeline and an adventure.

Of course, the search for the perfect pub is a never-ending quest. New gems are always appearing, and old classics are being rediscovered. In our digitally-mapped world, the joy of stumbling upon an unknown favourite feels more precious than ever. “The future of pub discovery isn’t just about big-name lists,” says a travel analyst from the trend-watching platform Bloc Nearby. “It’s about hyper-local, community-driven recommendations. People want to find that hidden gem two streets away, the one that feels like it’s theirs. The magic is in the discovery, not just the destination.”

So, is this list definitive? Absolutely not. It’s a starting point, a collection of ten extraordinary experiences that encapsulate the diversity, history, and enduring appeal of the Great British Pub. Each one offers a story, a unique atmosphere, and a damn good drink. Use it as your guide, but don’t be afraid to wander off the beaten path. The perfect pint is out there waiting. Go find it.