Steve and Ted’s Good UK Pubs List 2023
The Seven Stars, Falmouth, Cornwall
These are the pubs throughout the UK that Ted and I have visited and enjoyed since 2018. 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 visiting every pub on this list.
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 2018 have been dropped from this years list. Since the 2022 list we have lost all the entries in Leicestershire, Na h-Eileanan Sar, Highland and Conwy. However, the list has gained its first entries in Derbyshire, Essex, Lincolnshire, Shropshire, West Midlands, Angus, East Ayrshire and Renfrewshire, and Dumfries and Galloway has re-appeared.
- 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. For visitors to areas not listed here we recommend CAMRAs Good Beer Guide (book or app) and the whatpub.com website.
The Criterion, St. Andrews, Fife
All of the pubs except for a small number (mainly in Scotland) serve cask ale. Those that are in CAMRA’s Good Beer Guide 2023 are marked GBG. We have noted the year of our most recent visit to each pub. We hope you enjoy a visit to them.
Steve Gillon February 2023
Update 4 March 2023: Scotland – The Cyprus Inn, Bridge of Earn, Perth and Kinross is currently closed. It is not known if or when it will reopen.
Update 20 March 2023: Scotland – MacDonald Arms, Balbeggie, Perth and Kinross. Closed – most likely permanent.
ENGLAND
The Horse and Groom, Hatfield, Hertfordshire
CAMBRIDGESHIRE
Cambridge: Mill, 2019
Ely: Cutter Inn, 2021, pictured.
Ely, Minster, GBG, 2021
Ely, Prince Albert, 2021
Ely, Townhouse, 2021
Newton: Queens Head, GBG, 2019, pictured with Ted.
Peterborough: Brewery Tap, 2022
CORNWALL
Albaston: Queens Head, 2018
Calstock: Tamar Inn, 2018
Crowlas: Star Inn, GBG, 2018
Falmouth: Oddfellows Arms, GBG, 2018
Falmouth: Seven Stars, GBG, 2018
Falmouth: ‘front, GBG, 2018
Helston: Blue Anchor, GBG, 2018, pictured
Lizard: Top House, 2018
Mousehole: Ship Inn, 2018
Penzance: Crown, 2018
Penzance: Dock Inn, GBG, 2018, pictured
Polperro: Blue Peter Inn, GBG, 2018
Polruan: The Lugger, 2018
St Ives: Castle Inn, 2018
St Mawes: Victory Inn, 2018
Truro: Old Ale House, GBG, 2018
CUMBRIA
Carlisle, 301 Miles from London, 2022
DERBYSHIRE
NEW Derby: Brunswick, GBG, 2022, pictured
DEVON
Paignton, Henry’s Bar, GBG, 2018
Salcombe: Victoria, 2018
Totnes: Bay Horse, GBG, 2018
Totnes: Royal Seven Stars, 2018
Co. DURHAM
See the separate Northumbria
Pub Guide for details.
ESSEX
NEW Bures Hamlet: Eight Bells, GBG, 2022
NEW Colchester: Ale House, GBG, 2022
NEW Colchester: Fat Cat, GBG, 2022, pictured
NEW Colchester: New Inn, GBG, 2022
NEW Colchester: Odd One Out, GBG, 2022
NEW Colchester: Other Monkey Brewing Taproom, 2022
NEW Colchester: Victoria, GBG, 2022
NEW Great Holland, Ship Inn, 2022, pictured
NEW Harwich: Alma Inn, GBG, 2022
NEW Walton-on-the-Naze: Victory, 2022
HERTFORDSHIRE
Ayot St. Lawrence: Brocket Arms, 2019
Digswell: Cowper Arms, 2019
Hatfield: Horse and Groom, GBG, 2019
Welwyn: White Horse, 2019
Wheathampstead: Reading Room, 2019, pictured
Wild Hill: Woodman, GBG, 2019
LINCOLNSHIRE
NEW Lincoln: Adam and Eve, GBG, 2022
NEW Lincoln: Morning Star, GBG, 2022
NEW Lincoln: Strugglers, GBG, 2022, pictured
NEW Lincoln: The Treaty of Commerce. 2022
LONDON (CENTRAL)
N1 Kings Cross: Parcel Yard, GBG, 2022
N1 Kings Cross: Scottish Stores, 2018
W2 Paddington: Mad Bishop and Bear, GBG, 2018
WC2 Covent Garden: Lamb and Flag, GBG, 2019
Greater MANCHESTER
MANCHESTER
Manchester: Circus Tavern, 2019, pictured
Manchester: Peveril of the Peak, GBG, 2019
WIGAN
Wigan: Raven, 2018
MERSEYSIDE
LIVERPOOL
Liverpool: Belvedere Arms, GBG, 2018
Liverpool: Crown Hotel, 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
NORFOLK
Norwich: Kings Arms, GBG, 2021
Norwich: Ribs of Beef, GBG, 2021, pictured
Norwich: Vine, GBG, 2021
NORTHUMBERLAND
See the separate Northumbria Pub Guide for details.
NOTTINGHAMSGIRE
Newark: Flying Circus, GBG, 2021
Newark: Just Beer, GBG, 2021
Newark: Prince Rupert, GBG, 2021
SHROPSHIRE
NEW Bishops Castle: Six Bells, 2022
NEW Bishops Castle: Three Tuns, GBG, 2022, pictured
NEW Bridgnorth: Black Boy, GBG, 2022
NEW Bridgnorth: Golden Lion, 2022
NEW Bridgnorth: Shakespeare, GBG, 2022
SOMERSET
Curry Rivel: Firehouse, 2018, pictured
Huish Episcopi: Rose and Crown (Eli’s), 2018, pictured
Midsomer Norton: White Hart, 2018
Pitney: Halfway House, GBG, 2018
Wells: Full Moon, GBG, 2018
Wells: Just Ales, 2018
Wells: Rose and Crown, 2018
Yeovil: Pall Tavern, 2018
SUFFOLK
Bury St. Edmunds: Dove, GBG, 2021
Bury St. Edmunds: Oakes Barn, GBG, 2021
Bury St Edmunds: Rose and Crown, GBG, pictured, 2021
NEW Stowmarket: Royal William, GBG, 2022
RE-ENTRY Sudbury: Mauldons Brewery Tap, GBG, 2022, pictured
TEESSIDE
HARTLEPOOL
See the separate Northumbria Pub Guide for details.
MIDDLESBROUGH
Middlesbrough: Twisted Lip, 2018
STOCKTON
See the separate Northumbria Pub Guide for details.
TYNE and WEAR
See the separate Northumbria Pub Guide for details.
WEST MIDLANDS
NEW Wolverhampton: Hogshead, GBG, 2022
WILTSHIRE
Avoncliff: Cross Guns, 2018, pictured
Bradford on Avon: Bear Inn, 2018
Bradford on Avon: Castle Inn, GBG, 2018
Bradford on Avon: Stumble Inn, GBG, 2018
Westbury Leigh: Hollies, 2018
YORK City
York, City Centre, Ackhorne, GBG, 2022
York, City Centre: Blue Bell, GBG, 2022
York, City Centre: Phoenix, GBG, 2022, pictured
NEW York, Clementhorpe: Slip Inn, GBG, 2022
REENTRY York, Clementhorpe: Swan, GBG, 2022
York, York Station: York Tap, GBG, 2022
YORKSHIRE (EAST
RIDING)
Flamborough: Royal Dog & Duck, 2019, pictured
YORKSHIRE (NORTH)
Hudswell, George and Dragon, GBG, 2021, pictured
NEW Malton: Blue Bell, GBG, 2022
NEW Malton: Brass Castle Brewery Tap, GBG, 2022
Manfield: Crown, GBG, 2021
Richmond: Castle Tavern, 2021
YORKSHIRE (WEST)
LEEDS
City Centre: Scarborough Hotel, GBG, 2022
SCOTLAND
The Weston Tavern, Kilmaurs
ABERDEEN CITY
City Centre: Aitchies Ale House, 2019
City Centre: Prince of Wales, GBG, 2019
ABERDEENSHIRE
Stonehaven, Marine Hotel, GBG, 2021
Stonehaven, Ship Inn, GBG, 2021, pictured
ANGUS
NEW Brechin: Brechin Arms, GBG, 2022
NEW Forfar: Osnaburg, 2022
NEW Montrose: Market Arms, GBG, 2022
ARGYLL and BUTE
Bute, Rothesay: Black Bull, GBG, 2018
Bute, Rothesay: Macs Bar, GBG, 2018, pictured
Easdale Island: Puffer, 2019
Islay, Port Askaig: Old Port Bar, Port Askaig Hotel, 2019
Islay, Port Charlotte: Port Charlotte Hotel, 2019
Oban: The Lorne, 2019
Oban: Oban Inn, GBG, 2019, pictured
Seil, Ellenabeich: Oyster Bar, 2019
DUMFRIES and
GALLOWAY
NEW Annan: Blue Bell Inn, GBG, 2022
RE-ENTRY Dumfries: Cavens, GBG, 2022
NEW Dumfries: Douglas Arms, GBG, 2022
RE-ENTRY Dumfries: New Bazaar, GBG, 2022, pictured
RE-ENTRY Dunfries: Tam O’Shanter, GBG, 2022
DUNDEE CITY
Broughty Ferry: Fisherman’s Tavern, GBG, 2022, pictured.
Broughty Ferry: Ship Inn, GBG, 2020
City Centre: Bank Bar, GBG, 2022
City Centre: Market, 2020
Hilltown: Frews, 2020
Perth Rd: Phoenix, GBG, 2020
Perth Rd: Speedwell (Mennie’s), GBG, 2022, pictured
EAST AYRSHIRE
NEW Kilmaurs: Weston Tavern, GBG 2022
EDINBURGH
See the Edinburgh and Glasgow Favourite Pubs Guide
FALKIRK
Larbert: Station Hotel, GBG, 2021
FIFE
Freuchie, Albert Tavern, GBG, 2021, pictured
NEW Hillend: Hillend Tavern, GBG, 2022, pictured
NEW Kinghorn: Crown Tavern, GBG, 2022
NEW Kirkcaldy, Betty Nicols, GBG, 2022
St. Andrews: Central, GBG, 2021
St. Andrews: Criterion, GBG, 2021
GLASGOW
See the Edinburgh and Glasgow Favourite Pubs Guide
NORTH AYRSHIRE
Arran, Brodick: Brodick Bar, 2019
Great Cumbrae, Millport: Frasers, GBG, 2018
PERTH and KINROSS
Almondbank: Badgers, 2020
NEW: Balbeggie: MacDonald Arms, 2022, pictured
Bankfoot: Bankfoot Inn, 2020
Blair Atholl: Bothy Bar, Atholl Arms Hotel, GBG, 2020
Blairgowrie: Ericht Alehouse, GBG, 2019
Blairgowrie: Stormont Arms, GBG, 2019
Bridge of Earn: Cyprus Inn, GBG, 2022
Dunkeld: Perth Arms, GBG, 2021, pictured
Dunkeld: Taybank Hotel, 2021
Dunning: Kirkstyle Inn, GBG, 2019, pictured
Milnathort: Village Inn, GBG, 2021
Moulin: Moulin Inn, GBG, 2021
Perth: Cullach Tap Room, GBG, 2022
Perth: Kirkside, 2021
Perth: Old Ship Inn, GBG, 2022, pictured
Perth: Silvery Tay (formerly Dickens), GBG, 2022
NEW Pitcairngreen: Pitcairngreen Inn, 2022
RENFREWSHIRE
NEW: Paisley: Bull Inn, GBG, 2022
SCOTTISH BORDERS
Innerleithen, Traquair Arms, GBG, 2021
Peebles: Bridge Inn (Trust), GBG, 2021
SOUTH LANARKSHIRE
Biggar: Crown Inn, GBG, 2021
STIRLING
NEW Bridge of Allan: Allanwater Brewhouse, GBG, 2022
Dunblane: Tappit Hen, GBG, 2021, pictured
NEW Stirling: Settle Inn, GBG, 2022
WEST LOTHIAN
Linlithgow, Platform 3, GBG, 2022
WALES
The Ship Inn, Red Wharf Bay, Ynys Môn
BRIDGEND
Bridgend: Coach, GBG, 2019, pub sign pictured
CARDIFF
Cardiff: City Arms, 2019
Cardiff: Blue Bell (formerly Goat Major), 2019
CARMARTHENSHIRE
Llandeilo: White Horse, 2019
Whitland: Station House, GBG, 2019, pictured
GWYNEDD
Bangor: Patricks, GBG, 2019
PEMBROKESHIRE
Fishguard, Royal Oak, GBG, 2019, door pictured
Haverfordwest: Pembroke Yeoman, 2019
Haverfordwest: Three Crowns, 2019
Pembroke Dock: First and Last, GBG, 2019
St Davids: Farmers Arms, 2019, pictured
Tenby: Crown Inn, 2019
YNYS MôN
Beaumaris: Castle Court, GBG, 2019
Beaumaris: George and Dragon, 2019
Beaumaris: Midland Tapas Bar, 2019
Menai Bridge: Liverpool Arms, GBG, 2019
Menai Bridge: Tafarn Y Bont/Bridge Inn, 2019
Red Wharf Bay: Ship Inn, GBG, 2019
Some final odds and ends:
Pub Closures: Of the 10 pubs deleted from last years list due to closure only one – the Live and Let Live in Cambridge – has reopened under new ownership. All the entries here have been checked against http://www.whatpub.com and as a result a further 5 in England and 1 in Scotland have been deleted due to closure.
A couple of reminders of 2020 and 2021
(i) surviving lockdown
(ii) Lockdown outside-only drinking: The Taybank Hotel, Dunkeld, Perth and Kinross
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). The quality of the beer can vary tremendously. However, do not assume that all Wetherspoon’s pubs are not worth a visit – there are places where they have the best selection of beer in town and have forced the other pubs to up their game or close. Despite the owner’s politics we still call in 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.
One which was thought to be lost has returned. This is the unspoilt Fiddichside Inn, Craigellachie, Moray, which closed in 2017 following the death of the long serving landlord. However, it reopened with new owners in 2020 and has survived Covid. Opening hours are limited – check the pub’s Facebook page.
Copyright: The text and all photos (except for the Old Ship, Perth, which was provided by Ken Donald) are Copyright: © Steve Gillon, 2023