Daily we read about the decline of the Great British pub. Breweries are suffering, wage bills are high, and punters are feeling the pinch. At least, that seems to be the case in pubs whose main offering is booze. Throw in some soft drinks, an excellent menu and a pretty bedroom or two and… voila: the customers come calling. Here, we have located seven of the finest pubs with rooms.
Bull and Last, London
The Bull and Last is the perfect place to collapse after a hearty walk on Hampstead Heath. It is the sort of London pub that makes you forget you’re in London at all. Expect a warm welcome, seasonal cooking and seven super smart bedrooms.
Get A Room.
The Gunton Arms, North Norfolk
Art-led and eccentric, The Gunton Arms is a pub like no other. Set within a vast deer park, it has works by Damien Hirst and Tracey Emin, atmospheric interiors and glorious food, much of which is cooked over an open fire.
Get A Room.
The Three Horseshoes, Batcombe, Somerset
With interiors by Frances Penn and food overseen by the brilliant Margot Henderson, this Somerset village pub is a masterclass in understated chic. You will want to stay for ever amid the flagstone floors, roaring fire, unfussy but exceptional cooking and pretty, pared back bedrooms.
Get A Room.
The Bradley Hare, Wiltshire
In the impossibly pretty village of Maiden Bradley, this handsome Georgian pub combines elegant interiors with a chilled atmosphere. Recently taken over by the Chickpea Group, it promises excellent food, comfortable bedrooms and an idyllic base for exploring the Wiltshire countryside.
Get A Room.
Felin Fach Griffin
The Felin Fach Griffin, which describes itself charmingly as a dining pub with rooms, nestles near the bookish town of Hay-on-Wye between The Black Mountains and The Brecon Beacons, not far from Abergavenny and Crickhowell. Guests return for its famously comfortable beds, majestic rural landscape and gentle pace.
Get A Room.
The Bull, Charlbury, Oxfordshire
Exquisitely done by The Public House Group, whose Midas touch continues unabated. The Public House Group’s Midas touch continues unabated at this exquisitely restored Cotswolds coaching inn. Everything, from the rich interiors and ingredient-led cooking to the beautifully appointed bedrooms, feels just right. You’ll need to get your booking in well ahead of time.
Get A Room.
The Bear Inn, Hodnet, Shropshire
Interior designer Octavia Dickinson has worked her magic on this historic Shropshire inn, creating rooms full of colour, character and country-house charm. Add a welcoming bar, thoughtful cooking and the delights of rural Shropshire on the doorstep, and you have a thoroughly enticing escape.
Get A Room.
At A Glance
Best for a London escape: The Bull & Last, Highgate
Best for art lovers: The Gunton Arms, Norfolk
Best for foodies: The Three Horseshoes, Somerset
Best for country-house charm: The Bradley Hare, Wiltshire
Best for walkers: The Felin Fach Griffin, Wales
Best for interiors enthusiasts: The Bull, Charlbury
Best for a romantic weekend: The Bear Inn, Shropshire
Seven of the Best Pubs with Rooms
What are the best pubs with rooms in the UK?
Some of the best pubs with rooms in the UK include The Bull & Last in London, The Gunton Arms in Norfolk, The Three Horseshoes in Somerset and The Bull in Charlbury, Oxfordshire. These stylish country inns combine excellent food, beautiful interiors and comfortable accommodation.
Where are the best country pubs with rooms for a weekend break?
For a relaxing countryside escape, try The Bradley Hare in Wiltshire, The Bear Inn in Shropshire or The Felin Fach Griffin in Wales. All three offer charming bedrooms, excellent food and easy access to beautiful rural landscapes.
Which UK pubs with rooms are best for food lovers?
The Three Horseshoes in Batcombe, where the food is overseen by Margot Henderson, is a particular draw for food lovers. The Gunton Arms in Norfolk is renowned for its open-fire cooking, while The Bull in Charlbury champions seasonal, ingredient-led menus.
What are the most stylish boutique pubs with rooms in England?
Design lovers should consider The Bear Inn in Hodnet, with interiors by Octavia Dickinson, The Three Horseshoes in Somerset, designed by Frances Penn, and The Bull in Charlbury, restored by The Public House Group. Each combines distinctive interiors with the warmth of a traditional British pub.
Are there any good pubs with rooms near London?
The Bull & Last in Highgate is an excellent choice for a London staycation, particularly for those wanting to explore Hampstead Heath. Further afield, The Bull in Charlbury and The Bradley Hare in Wiltshire make appealing destinations for a weekend away from the capital.
What are the best pubs with rooms in Wales?
The Felin Fach Griffin, near Hay-on-Wye in Powys, is one of Wales's most charming dining pubs with rooms. Set between the Black Mountains and the Brecon Beacons, it offers comfortable accommodation, excellent food and a wonderfully peaceful countryside setting.
Why choose a pub with rooms over a traditional hotel?
The best British pubs with rooms offer the comfort of a boutique hotel with the relaxed atmosphere of a traditional country inn. Guests can enjoy excellent food, local ales, cosy firesides and individually designed bedrooms, often in some of the UK's prettiest villages.
