Steve and Ted’s Good UK Pubs List 2022
The Seven Stars, Falmouth, Cornwall
These are the pubs throughout the UK that Ted and I have visited and enjoyed since 2017. 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 2017 have been dropped from this years list. Since the 2021 list we have lost all the entries in Buckinghamshire, Lancashire, Denbighshire and Powys. However, the list has gained entries in Norfolk, Nottinghamshire, Suffolk, Aberdeenshire, Fife, Scottish Borders and South Lanarkshire.
- 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.
A re-entry to the list: 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 2022 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 January 2022
ENGLAND
The Horse and Groom, Hatfield, Hertfordshire
CAMBRIDGESHIRE
Cambridge: Mill, 2019
NEW Ely: Cutter inn, 2021, pictured.
NEW Ely, Minster, 2021
NEW Ely, Prince Albert, 2021
NEW Ely, Townhouse, 2021
Newton: Queens Head, GBG, 2019, pictured with Ted.
RE-ENTRY Peterborough: Brewery Tap, 2021
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, 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 Ives: Castle Inn, GBG, 2018
St Mawes: Victory Inn, 2018
Truro: Old Ale House, GBG, 2018
CUMBRIA
NEW Carlisle, 301 Miles from London, 2021
DEVON
Kingswear, Steam Packet Inn, 2018, pictured
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.
HERTFORDSHIRE
Ayot St. Lawrence: Brocket Arms, 2019
Digswell: Cowper Arms, 2019
Hatfield: Horse and Groom, 2019
Welwyn: White Horse, 2019
Wheathampstead: Reading Room, GBG, 2019, pictured
Wildhill: Woodman, GBG, 2019
2020-21 The lockdown alternative
LEICESTERSHIRE
Leicester: Ale Wagon, GBG, 2017
Leicester: Blue Boar, GBG, 2017
Leicester: Kings Head, GBG, 2017
LONDON (CENTRAL)
N1 Kings Cross: Parcel Yard, GBG, 2019
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, GBG, 2018
MERSEYSIDE
LIVERPOOL
Liverpool: Belvedere Arms, 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
NEW Norwich: Kings Arms, GBG, 2021
NEW Norwich: Ribs of Beef, GBG, 2021, pictured
NEW Norwich: Vine, GBG, 2021
NORTHUMBERLAND
See the separate Northumbria Pub Guide for details.
NOTTINGHAMSGIRE
NEW Newark: Flying Circus, GBG, 2021
NEW Newark: Just Beer, GBG, 2021
NEW Newark: Prince Rupert, GBG, 2021
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, 2018
Wells: Just Ales, 2018
Wells: Rose and Crown, 2018
Yeovil: Pall Inn, 2018
SUFFOLK
NEW Bury St. Edmunds: Dove, GBG, 2021
NEW Bury St. Edmunds: Oakes Barn, GBG, 2021
NEW Bury St Edmunds: Rose and Crown, pictured, 2021
TEESSIDE
HARTLEPOOL
See the separate Northumbria Pub Guide for details.
MIDDLESBROUGH
Middlesbrough:Dr Phils Real Ale House, 2018
Middlesbrough: Twisted Lip, 2018
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, GBG, 2017
York, City Centre: Blue Bell, GBG, 2017
York, City Centre: Maltings, GBG, 2017
York, City Centre: Phoenix, GBG, 2018
York, York Station: York Tap, GBG, 2019
YORKSHIRE (EAST RIDING)
Flamborough: Royal Dog & Duck, 2019, pictured
YORKSHIRE (NORTH)
NEW Hudswell, George and Dragon, GBG, 2021, pictured
NEW Manfield: Crown, GBG, 2021
Richmond: Castle Tavern, 2021
Richmond: Ship, 2018
Scarborough: Stumble Inn, GBG,
2017
Skipton: Boat House, GBG, 2017
Skipton: Woolly Sheep, 2017
YORKSHIRE (WEST)
BRADFORD
Bradford: Jacob’s Well, 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
SCOTLAND
The Comm Bar, Lochgilphead, Argyll
ABERDEEN CITY
City Centre: Aitchies Ale House, 2019
City Centre: Prince of Wales, GBG, 2019
ABERDEENSHIRE
NEW Stonehaven, Marine Hotel, GBG, 2021
NEW Stonehaven, Ship Inn, GBG, 2021, pictured
ARGYLL and BUTE
Bute, Rothesay: Black Bull, GBG, 2018
Bute, Rothesay: Macs Bar, 2018, pictured
Campbeltown: Black Sheep Pub, Royal Hotel, 2017
Easdale Island: Puffer, 2019
Islay, Port Askaig: Old Port Bar, Port Askaig Hotel, 2019
Islay, Port Charlotte: Port Charlotte Hotel, 2019
Lochgilphead, The Comm 2017
Oban: The Lorne, 2019
Oban: Oban Inn, GBG, 2019, pictured
Seil, Ellenabeich: Oyster Bar, GBG, 2019
DUMFRIES and 
GALLOWAY
Dumfries: New Bazaar, GBG, 2017
DUNDEE CITY
Broughty Ferry: Fisherman’s Tavern, GBG, 2020, pictured.
Broughty Ferry: Ship Inn, GBG, 2020
City Centre: Bank Bar, GBG, 2021
City Centre: Market, 2020
Hilltown: Frews, 2020
Perth Rd: Phoenix, GBG, 2020
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
FALKIRK
NEW Larbert: Station Hotel, GBG, 2021
FIFE
NEW Freuchie, Albert Tavern, GBG, 2021, pictured
RE-ENTRY St. Andrews: Central, GBG, 2021
RE-ENTRY St. Andrews: Criterion, GBG, 2021
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 Ale House , 2017
Mallaig, Steam Inn, GBG, 2017
NORTH AYRSHIRE
Arran, Brodick: Brodick Bar, 2019
Great Cumbrae, Millport: Frasers, GBG, 2018
PERTH and KINROSS
Almondbank: Badgers, 2020
Bankfoot: Bankfoot Inn, GBG, 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, 2021
Dunkeld: Perth Arms, GBG, 2021, pictured
NEW Dunkeld: Taybank Hotel, 2021
Dunning: Kirkstyle Inn, GBG, 2019, pictured
NEW Milnathort: Village Inn, GBG, 2021
RE-ENTRY Moulin: Moulin Inn, GBG, 2021
NEW Perth: Cullach Tap Room, GBG, 2021
NEW Perth: Dickens, 2021
Perth: Kirkside, 2021
Perth: Old Ship Inn, GBG, 2021, pictured
SCOTTISH BORDERS
NEW Duns: Black Bull, 2021
NEW Innerleithen, Traquair Arms, 
GBG, 2021
NEW Peebles: Bridge Inn (Trust), GBG, 2021
SOUTH LANARKSHIRE
NEW Biggar: Crown Inn, GBG, 2021
STIRLING
Dunblane: Tappit Hen, GBG, 2021, pictured
WEST LOTHIAN
Linlithgow, Platform 3, GBG, 2017
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
CONWY
Conwy: Albion, GBG, 2017
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: Olde Bulls Head, 2017
Beaumaris: Castle Court, GBG, 2019
Beaumaris: George and Dragon, 2019
Beaumaris: Liverpool Arms, 2017
Beaumaris: Midland Tapas Bar, 2019
Cemaes: Stag, 2017, pictured
Menai Bridge: Liverpool Arms, GBG, 2019
Menai Bridge: Tafarn Y Bont/Bridge Inn, 2019
Moelfre: Kinmel Arms
Red Wharf Bay: Ship Inn, GBG, 2019
Some final odds and ends:
For visitors to areas not listed here we recommend CAMRAs Good Beer Guide (book or app) and the whatpub.com website. All the entries here have been checked against the guide and site. As a result we’ve had to delete 9 pubs in England and 1 in Scotland that appear to have permanently closed during the Covid pandemic. We will check these again next year in case we can reinstate any of them in our list.
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. Unless they are exceptional, they haven’t been mentioned in these pages. 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 is by Ken Donald) are Copyright: © Steve Gillon, 2022
Go with Ted 