Steve and Ted’s Good UK Pubs List 2021
The Seven Stars, Falmouth, Cornwall
These are the pubs throughout the UK (and the Isle of Man) that Ted and I have visited and enjoyed since 2016. We have also visited some very ordinary pubs and a few terrible ones, and they are most definitely not included. Some of the pubs listed have been visited only once, though we enjoyed them and will go back if we are in the area again. Others we have visited often and seek them out whenever we are in the vicinity. The very best are in blue text. The focus is on the beer and the atmosphere rather than food. Our favourites tend to be traditional pubs with a good local trade, unchanged over many years, though we have enjoyed every pub on this list. It can be sometimes be difficult to tell at very quiet times of day, what a pub will be like on a busy evening, but many years of practice can help to spot a good pub.
The Old Port Bar, the Port Askaig Hotel, Islay, Argyll
A few caveats:
- Full details of our favourite pubs in the parts of the country we visit most regularly are in the separate guides for Northumbria and Edinburgh and Glasgow.
- There are many places where we used to have favourite pubs that aren’t included. Pubs, towns and regions that we haven’t visited since before 2016 have been dropped from this years list. Since the 2020 list we have lost the entries in Kent, Outer London, East Sussex, South Yorkshire, Angus, Fife, Scottish Borders and the Isle of Man. A combination of lockdowns and visits to Spain mean that the only new entries this year (for Dundee, Perth and Kinross and Stirling) come from two visits to Scotland. Hopefully we will be able to add many more next year.
- There is only so much time for travelling (and for drinking – I still have a liver to protect), so there are many places we have never visited. There are others where we have been unlucky in our choice of pubs.
- Of course we are unable to confirm when these pubs will reopen and there is a real risk that some of them may never reopen. Quite a number have no outside drinking area and there are a few where social distancing is impossible. When you can travel, please check in advance.
All of the pubs except for a small number (mainly in Scotland) serve cask ale. Those that are in CAMRA’s Good Beer Guide 2021 are marked GBG. New additions to the list are marked NEW and those that we visited in 2017-2020 are marked. For places not listed the best guides are CAMRA’s Good Beer Guide and www.whatpub.com website. We hope that you can enjoy some of these fine pubs in 2021.
Steve Gillon March 2021
ENGLAND
The Horse and Groom, Hatfield, Hertfordshire
BUCKINGHAMSHIRE
Chesham: Queens Head, GBG
CAMBRIDGESHIRE
Cambridge: Flying Pig, GBG, 2019
Cambridge: Live and Let Live, GBG, 2019
Cambridge: Mill, 2019
Newton: Queens Head, GBG, 2019, pictured with Ted.
CORNWALL
Albaston: Queens Head, 2018
Calstock: Tamar Inn, GBG,
Crowlas: Star Inn, GBG, 2018
Falmouth: Oddfellows Arms, GBG, 2018
Falmouth: Seven Stars, GBG, 2018
Falmouth: The ‘front, 2018
Helston: Blue Anchor, GBG, 2018, 
pictured
Lizard: Top House, 2018
Mousehole: Ship Inn, 2018
Penzance: Crown, GBG, 2018
Penzance: Dock Inn, GBG, 2018, pictured
Polperro: Blue Peter Inn, GBG, 2018
Polruan: The Lugger, 2018
St Austell: Seven Stars, 2018
St Ives: Castle Inn, GBG, 2018
St Mawes: Victory Inn, 2018
Truro: Old Ale House, GBG, 2018
CUMBRIA
Broughton in Furness: Manor Arms, GBG, pictured
Foxfield: Prince of Wales
Kendal: Castle Inn
Kirkby Lonsdale: Orange Tree, GBG
DEVON
Kingswear, Steam Packet Inn, 2018, pictured
Paignton, Henry’s Bar, GBG, 2018
Salcombe: Victoria, 2018
Totnes: Bay Horse, 2018
Totnes: Royal Seven Stars, 2018
Co. DURHAM
See the separate Northumbria Pub Guide for details.
HERTFORDSHIRE
Ayot St. Lawrence: Brocket Arms, 2019
Digswell: Cowper Arms, 2019
Hatfield: Horse and Groom, GBG, 2019
Welwyn: White Horse, 2019
Wheathampstead: Reading Room, GBG, 2019, pictured
Wildhill: Woodman, GBG, 2019
LANCASHIRE
Lancaster: Sun,
Lancaster: Three Mariners, GBG
LEICESTERSHIRE
Leicester: Ale Wagon, GBG, 2017
Leicester: Blue Boar, GBG, 2017
Leicester: Kings Head, GBG, 2017
2020-21 The lockdown alternative
LONDON (CENTRAL)
EC3 Bank: Swan Tavern
N1 Kings Cross: Parcel Yard, GBG, 2017, 2018, 2019
N1 Kings Cross: Scottish Stores, 2018
SE1 Southwark: Founders Arms
SW1 Belgravia: Star Tavern, GBG
SW1 St James’s: Red Lion, GBG
SW1 Westminster: Speaker, GBG
W2 Paddington: Mad Bishop and Bear, GBG, 2018
WC1 Bloomsbury: Swan, GBG
WC1 Kings Cross: Queens Head, GBG
WC2 Charing X: Harp, GBG
WC2 Covent Garden: Coach and Horses
WC2 Covent Garden: Lamb and Flag, GBG, 2017, 2019
Greater MANCHESTER
MANCHESTER
Manchester: Circus Tavern, 2019, pictured
Manchester: Peveril of the Peak, GBG, 2019
WIGAN
Wigan: Raven Hotel, GBG, 2018
MERSEYSIDE
LIVERPOOL
Liverpool: Belvedere, GBG, 2018
Liverpool: Crown Hotel, GBG, 2018
Liverpool: Dispensary, GBG, 2018
Liverpool: Lion Tavern, GBG, 2018
Liverpool: Philharmonic, 2018
Liverpool: Roscoe Head, GBG, 2018
Liverpool: Ship and Mitre, GBG, 2018, pictured
NORTHUMBERLAND
See the separate Northumbria Pub Guide for details.
SOMERSET
Bath: Bell
Bath: Couer de Lion, GBG
Bath: Old Green Tree, GBG
Bath: Raven, GBG
Bath: Star Inn. GBG
Curry Rivel: Firehouse, 2018, pictured
Glastonbury: Hawthorns, GBG, 2018
Huish Episcopi: Rose and Crown (Eli’s), GBG, 2018, pictured
Midsomer Norton: White Hart, 2018
Pitney: Halfway House, GBG, 2018
Wells: Full Moon, 2018
Wells: Just Ales, 2018
Wells: Rose and Crown, 2018
Weston Super Mare: Off the Rails, 2018
Yeovil: Pall Inn, 2018
TEESSIDE
HARTLEPOOL
See the separate Northumbria Pub Guide for details.
MIDDLESBROUGH
Middlesbrough:Dr Phils Real Ale House, GBG, 2018
Middlesbrough: Sherlocks
Middlesbrough: Twisted Lip, 2018
REDCAR and CLEVELAND
Guisborough: Anchor
STOCKTON
See the separate Northumbria Pub Guide for details.
TYNE and WEAR
See the separate Northumbria Pub Guide for details.
WILTSHIRE
Avoncliff: Cross Guns, 2018, pictured
Bradford on Avon: Bear Inn, 2018
Bradford on Avon: Castle Inn, 2018
Bradford on Avon: Stumble Inn, 2018
Westbury Leigh: Hollies, 2018
YORK City
York, City Centre, Ackhorne, 2017
York, City Centre: Blue Bell, GBG, 2017
York, City Centre: Maltings, GBG, 2017
York, City Centre: Phoenix, GBG, 2018
York, City Centre: York Arms, 2018
York, City Centre: York Brewery Tap, 2017
York, City Centre: Yorkshire Terrier, 2017
York, York Station: York Tap, GBG, 2017, 2019
YORKSHIRE (EAST RIDING)
Bridlington: Station Buffet, 2017, 2019
Flamborough: Royal Dog & Duck, 2017, 2019, pictured
YORKSHIRE (NORTH)
Harrogate: Hales Bar
Harrogate: Harrogate Tap, GBG
Richmond: Castle Tavern, 2018
Richmond: Ship, 2018
Robin Hoods Bay: Dolphin
Scarborough: Stumble Inn, GBG, 2017
Skipton: Boat House, GBG, 2017
Skipton: Woolly Sheep, 2017
Whitby: Jolly Sailor
Whitby: Station Inn, GBG
YORKSHIRE (WEST)
BRADFORD
Bradford: Jacob’s, GBG, 2017
Bradford: Record Café, GBG, 2017
Shipley: Fox, GBG, 2017
KIRKLEES
Holmfirth, Nook, GBG, 2017, pictured with Ted
LEEDS
City Centre: Adelphi, 2017
City Centre, Angel Inn, 2017
City Centre, Duck and Drake, GBG, 2017
City Centre, Whitelocks, GBG, 2017
Otley: Junction Inn
Otley: Old Cock, GBG
SCOTLAND
The Comm Bar, Lochgilphead, Argyll
ABERDEEN CITY
City Centre: Aitchies Ale House, 2019
City Centre: Prince of Wales, GBG, 2019
ARGYLL and BUTE
Bute, Rothesay: Black Bull, GBG,
Bute, Rothesay: Macs Bar, 2018, pictured
Campbeltown: Black Sheep Bar, Royal Hotel, 2017
Easdale Island: Puffer, 2019
Islay, Port Askaig: Boat House Bar, Port Askaig Hotel, 2019
Islay, Port Charlotte: Port Charlotte Hotel, 2019
Lochgilphead, The Comm 2017
Oban: Lorne Bar, 2017, 2019
Oban: Oban Inn, GBG, 2019, pictured
Seil, Ellenabeich: Oyster Bar, GBG, 2019
North AYRSHIRE
Arran, Brodick: Brodick Bar, 2019
DUMFRIES and GALLOWAY
Dumfries: Cavens Arms, GBG
Dumfries: New Bazaar, GBG, 2017
Kippford: Anchor Hotel
Moffat: Star Bar, Star Hotel, pictured
DUNDEE CITY
NEW Broughty Ferry: Fisherman’s Tavern, GBG, 2020
NEW Broughty Ferry: Ship Inn, GBG, 2020
NEW City Centre: Bank Bar, GBG, 2020
NEW City Centre: Market, GBG, 2020
NEW Hilltown: Frew’s, 2020
RE-ENTRY Perth Rd: Phoenix, GBG, 2020
RE-ENTRY Perth Rd: Speedwell (Mennie’s), GBG, 2020, pictured
EAST RENFREWSHIRE
Eaglesham, Swan Inn 2017
EDINBURGH
See the Edinburgh and Glasgow Favourite Pubs Guide
Na h-EILEANAN SAR
Barra, Castlebay: Castlebay Hotel Bar, 2017
Lewis, Stornoway: Criterion Bar, 2017, pictured
Lewis, Stornoway, Edge O’ the World, 2017
FALKIRK
Falkirk: Wheatsheaf Inn, GBG
GLASGOW
See the Edinburgh and Glasgow Favourite Pubs Guide
HIGHLAND
Aviemore: Old Bridge Inn, GBG, 2017
Grantown on Spey: High St Merchants, 2017
Inverness, Castle Tavern, GBG, 2017
Inverness, Gellions, 2017
Inverness, Phoenix Bar, 2017
Mallaig, Steam Inn, 2017
NORTH AYRSHIRE
Millport: Frasers, GBG, 2018
PERTH and KINROSS
NEW Almondbank: Badgers, 2020
NEW Bankfoot: Bankfoot Inn, GBG, 2020
RE-ENTRY Blair Atholl: Bothy Bar, Atholl Arms Hotel, GBG, 2020
Blairgowrie: Ericht Alehouse, GBG, 2019
Blairgowrie: Stormont Inn, GBG, 2019
Bridge of Earn: Cyprus Inn, GBG, 2019
NEW Dunkeld: Perth Arms, GBG, 2020, pictured
Dunning: Kirkstyle Inn, GBG, 2019, pictured
Perth: Kirkside, 2019
Perth: Old Ship Inn, GBG, 2019, 2020
STIRLING
NEW Dunblane: Tappit Hen, GBG, 2020
WEST LOTHIAN
Linlithgow, Platform 3, GBG, 2017
WALES
The Ty Coch Inn, Porthdinllaen, Gwynedd
BRIDGEND
Bridgend: Coach, GBG, 2019, pub sign pictured
CARDIFF
Cardiff: City Arms, GBG, 2019
Cardiff: Goat Major, 2019
CARMARTHENSHIRE
Llandeilo: White Horse, GBG, 2019
Whitland: Station House, GBG, 2019
CONWY
Conwy: Y Bont/Bridge Inn, 2017, pictured
Conwy: Albion, GBG, 2017
Llandudno: Kings Head
Llandudno: Snowdon, GBG
DENBIGHSHIRE
Llangollen: Corn Mill
Llangollen: Wynnstay Arms
GWYNEDD
Bangor: Patricks, GBG, 2019
Barmouth: Royal Hotel, GBG
Dolgellau: Cross Keys
Dolgellau: Torrent Walk, GBG
Porthdinllaen: Ty Coch, GBG, pictured
Porthmadog: Australia, GBG
Porthmadog: Ship Inn
Porthmadog: Station Inn
Tremadog: Union Inn, GBG
PEMBROKESHIRE
Fishguard, Royal Oak, GBG, 2019, door pictured
Haverfordwest: Pembroke Yeoman, GBG, 2019
Haverfordwest: Three Crowns, 2019
Pembroke Dock: First and Last, GBG, 2019
St Davids: Farmers Arms, 2019, pictured
Tenby: Crown Inn, 2019
POWYS
Machynlleth: Red Lion
Machynlleth: Dyfi Forester, GBG
YNYS MôN
Beaumaris: Bull, 2017
Beaumaris: Castle Court, GBG, 2017, 2019
Beaumaris: George and Dragon, 2017, 2019
Beaumaris: Liverpool Arms, 2017
Beaumaris: Midland Tapas Bar, 2017, 2019
Cemaes: Stag, 2017, pictured
Menai Bridge: Liverpool Arms, GBG, 2017, 2019
Menai Bridge: Tafarn Y Bont/Bridge Inn, 2017, 2019
Moelfre: Kinmel Arms
Red Wharf Bay: Ship Inn, GBG, 2019
A note about Wetherspoon’s.
There are Wetherspoon’s pubs virtually everywhere – they share the same plusses (good choice of beer, cheap beer) and minuses (slow service, the atmosphere of a canteen rather than a pub) so, unless they are exceptional, they haven’t been mentioned in this list, or in the other guides. The quality of the beer can vary tremendously, depending on the skill and enthusiasm of the staff and how much real ale they sell. Some of the pubs are in architecturally magnificent and well-restored old buildings. Do not assume that all Wetherspoon’s pubs are not worth a visit – there are plenty of small towns where they have the best selection of beer in town and are forcing the other pubs to up their game or close. In the past few years I can think of examples in Ayr, Crook, Kirkcaldy, Llandudno, Sheerness and Spennymoor. And despite the owner’s politics we still call for breakfast from time to time at half the price of a hotel breakfast.
A few of the breweries we’ve passed on our travels: Hook Norton in Hook Norton, Wadworth’s in Devizes and Elgood’s in Wisbech.
Finally, one that got away may be coming back. This is the unspoilt Fiddichside Inn, Craigellachie, Moray, which closed in 2017 following the death of the long serving landlord. However, it reportedly reopened (at weekends only) with new owners in January 2020. We’ll check out what has happened since once pubs reopen.
