These are the favourite pubs which Ted and I have visited over the last five years. The very best are in bold italic text. The date is the year that we last visited. GBG means that they are in the CAMRA Good Beer Guide 2026. For more about how we choose the pubs scroll to the bottom of the list. Enjoy visiting them. Steve Gillon, January 2026.
ENGLAND
The Vine (a.k.a. the Bull and Bladder), Brierley Hill, West Midlands
CAMBRIDGESHIRE
Ely
Cutter Inn
2025
Ely
Minster Tavern
2025
Ely
Prince Albert
2025, GBG
Ely
Townhouse
2021
Peterborough
Brewery Tap
2025, GBG
The Cutter Inn, ElyThe Brewery Tap, Lymm
CHESHIRE
Frodsham
Queens Head
2024
Lymm
Brewery Tap
2024, GBG
Macclesfield
Castle
2023, GBG
Macclesfield
Waters Green
2023
Warrington
Lower Angel
2024, GBG
The Lower Angel, WarringtonThe Wainwright, Keswick
CUMBRIA
Kendal
Fell Bar
2024, GBG
Kendal
New Union
2024, GBG
NEW, Keswick
Crafty Baa
2025
NEW, Keswick
Fox Tap
2025, GBG
NEW, Keswick
Wainwright
2025, GBG
Penrith
Fell Bar
2024, GBG
Windermere
Pie & Pint at the Crafty Baa
2024
New Union, KendalPie & Pint at the Crafty Baa, Windermere
DERBYSHIRE
Bakewell
Joiners
2023, GBG
Buxton
Ale Stop
2023, GBG
Buxton
Buxton Tap House
2023
Buxton
New Inn
2023
Buxton
Old Sun Inn
2023
Buxton
RedWillow
2023, GBG
The Brunswick Inn, DerbyAlexandra Hotel, Derby
Derby
Alexandra Hotel
2023, GBG
Derby
Brunswick Inn
2023. GBG
Derby
Five Lamps
2023, GBG
Litton
Red Lion
2023
New Mills
Masons Arms
2023, GBG
Tideswell
Horse and Jockey
2023
Whaley Bridge
Shepherds Arms
2023
Masons Arms, New MillsShepherds Arms, Whaley Bridge
DEVON
Axminster
Ale Way
2023
Exmouth
First and Last
2023, GBG
Exmouth
Grapevine
2023, GBG
Okehampton
Fountain
2023
The Ropemakers, BridportThe Fox Inn, Corfe Castle
DORSET
Bridport
Ropemakers
2023, GBG
Corfe Castle
Bankes Arms
2023, GBG
Corfe Castle
Fox Inn
2023, GBG
Swanage
Red Lion
2023
Wareham
Horse and Groom
2023, GBG
Co. DURHAM
See the separate Northumbria Pub Guide for details.
The Eight Bells, Bures HamletThe Alma Inn, Harwich
ESSEX
Bures Hamlet
Eight Bells
2022, GBG
Colchester
Ale House
2022, GBG
Colchester
Fat Cat
2022, GBG
Colchester
New Inn
2022
Colchester
Odd One Out
2022, GBG
Colchester
Other Monkey Taproom
2022
Colchester
Victoria
2022, GBG
Great Holland
Ship Inn
2022
Harwich
Alma Inn
2022, GBG
Walton-on-the-Naze
Victory
2022
The Fat Cat, ColchesterThe Ship Inn, Great Holland
HAMPSHIRE
Hythe
Lord Nelson
2023
Lymington
Bosun’s Chair
2023
Southampton
Dancing Man
2023, GBG
Southampton
Platform Tavern
2023, GBG
Winchester
Albion
2023, GBG
Winchester
Bakers Arms
2023
Winchester
Black Boy
2023
Winchester
Green Man
2023
Winchester
Hyde Tavern
2023, GBG
Black Boy, WinchesterThe Hyde Tavern, Winchester
LANCASHIRE
Preston
Black Horse
2024, GBG
LINCOLNSHIRE
Lincoln
Adam & Eve Tavern
2022, GBG
Lincoln
Morning Star
2022, GBG
Lincoln
Strugglers Inn
2022, GBG
Lincoln
Treaty of Commerce
2022
The Black Horse, PrestonThe Strugglers Inn, Lincoln
LONDON (CENTRAL)
N1, Kings Cross
Parcel Yard
2024, GBG
SE1, Waterloo
Hole in the Wall
2023, GBG
The Arden Arms, StockportWigan Central, Wigan
Greater MANCHESTER
STOCKPORT
Stockport
Arden Arms
2023
Stockport
Bakers Vaults
2023, GBG
Stockport
Petersgate Tap
2023, GBG
TAMESIDE
Stalybridge
Station Buffet Bar
2023, GBG
WIGAN
Wigan
Swan & Railway
2024, GBG
Wigan
Tap ‘n’ Barrel
2024, GBG
Wigan
Wigan Central
2024, GBG
The Ribs of Beef, NorwichThe Flying Circus, Newark
NORFOLK
NEW, Great Yarmouth
Blackfriars Tavern
2025, GBG
NEW, Great Yarmouth
Tombstone Saloon Bar
2025, GBG
NEW, Norwich
Coach & Horses (NR1 1BA)
2025, GBG
Norwich
Kings Arms
2021, GBG
Norwich
Ribs of Beef
2021. GBG
Norwich
Vine
2021, GBG
NORTHUMBERLAND
See the separate Northumbria Pub Guide for details
NOTTINGHAMSHIRE
Newark
Flying Circus
2021, GBG
Newark
Just Beer Micropub
2021, GBG
Newark
Prince Rupert
2021
Ye Olde Reine Deer Inn, BanburyThe Bear, Oxford
OXFORDSHIRE
Banbury
White Horse
2024, GBG
Banbury
Ye Old Reine Deer Inn
2024
Bicester
Bell
2024, GBG
Oxford
Bear Inn
2024, GBG
Oxford
Old Bookbinders
2024
Oxford
Rose and Crown
2024, GBG
Oxford
Turf Tavern
2024
Three Tuns, Bishops CastleShakespeare Inn, Bridgnorth
SHROPSHIRE
Bishops Castle
Six Bells
2022
Bishops Castle
Three Tuns Inn
2022
Bridgnorth
Black Boy
2022, GBG
Bridgnorth
Golden Lion
2022, GBG
Bridgnorth
Shakespeare
2022
STAFFORDSHIRE
Tamworth
Kings Ditch
2024, GBG
Tamworth
Market Vaults
2024
Tamworth
Tamworth Tap
2024, GBG
Market Tavern, TamworthThe Tamworth Tap, Tamworth
SUFFOLK
Bury St. Edmunds
Dove
2021, GBG
Bury St. Edmunds
Oakes Barn
2021, GBG
Bury St. Edmunds
Rose and Crown
2021
NEW, Ipswich
Lord Nelson (Nelson)
2025, GBG
NEW, Lowestoft
Oak Tavern
2025, GBG
Stowmarket
Royal William
2022, GBG
Sudbury
Mauldons Brewery Tap
2022, GBG
NEW, Woodbridge
Anchor Inn
2025
Rose and Crown, Bury St. EdmundsThe Mauldons Brewery Tap, Sudbury
TEESSIDE
See the separate Northumbria Pub Guide for details
TYNE and WEAR
See the separate Northumbria Pub Guide for details
WARWICKSHIRE
Stratford on Avon
Garrick
2024
Stratford on Avon
Stratford Alehouse
2024, GBG
Warwick
Old Post Office
2024, GBG
The Beacon Hotel, SedgleyThe Great Western, Wolverhampton
Old Ship Inn, PerthLoch Leven Brewery Taproom, Kinross
Kinross
Loch Leven Brewery Taproom
2025, GBG
Kinross
Muirs Inn
2023, GBG
Milnathort
Village Inn
2025. GBG
Moulin
Moulin Inn
2021, GBG
Perth
Cullach Tap Room
2025
Perth
Kirkside
2024
Perth
Old Ship Inn
2025, GBG
Perth
Silvery Tay
2025, GBG
Pitcairngreen
Pitcairngreen Inn
2024, GBG
RENFREWSHIRE
Paisley
Bull Inn
2022, GBG
Cross Keys, AncrumRutherfords, Kelso
SCOTTISH BORDERS
NEW, Ancrum
Cross Keys
2025
NEW, Galashiels
Salmon Inn
2025
NEW, Jedburgh
Canon (Exchange Inn)
2025
Innerleithen
Traquair Arms Hotel
2021, GBG
NEW, Kelso
Cobbles
2025, GBG
NEW, Kelso
Rutherfords
2025, GBG
NEW, Kelso
1905
2025, GBG
NEW, Melrose
Station Hotel
2025
Peebles
Bridge Inn (Trust)
2021, GBG
SOUTH LANARKSHIRE
Biggar
Crown Inn
2021, GBG
Tappit Hen, DunblaneSettle Inn, Stirling
STIRLING
Bridge of Allan
Allanwater Brewhouse
2022
Dunblane
Tappit Hen
2023, GBG
Stirling
Curly Coo
2023
Stirling
Settle Inn
2022, GBG
WEST LOTHIAN
Linlithgow
Platform 3
2022, GBG
WALES
Adelphi Vaults, Porth Amlwch, Ynys Mon
GWYNEDD
Bangor
Tafarn y Glôb
2023
Caernarfon
Anglesey Arms
2023
Caernarfon
Bar Bach
2023
Caernarfon
Black Boy Inn
2023, GBG
NEW Caernarfon
Ship & Castle
2025
Criccieth
Prince of Wales
2024
REENTRY, Porthmadog
Australia
2025, GBG
Rhyd Ddu
Cwellyn Arms
2023
Y Glôb, BangorBar Bach, Caernarfon
YNYS MôN
Beaumaris
Castle Court
2025, GBG
Beaumaris
Midland Tapas Bar
2025
Menai Bridge
Tafarn y Bont
2024
Porth Amlwch
Adelphi Vaults
2024, GBG
Trearddur Bay
Trearddur Bay Hotel
2023
Choosing the pubs
The Castle, Macclesfield, Cheshire
The only criterion is that we enjoyed our visit(s) to the pub. The focus in on the beer and the atmosphere rather than food. Some we have visited regularly, others only once, but in every case we would happily call in again if we are in the area. Our favourites tend to be traditional pubs with a good local trade, many unchanged for years. Almost all of the pubs serve cask ale, except for a small number, mainly in Scotland. Note that full details of our favourite pubs in the parts of the UK we visit most regularly are in the separate guides for Northumbria The Northumbria Pub Guide and Edinburgh and Glasgow Pub Guide – Edinburgh and Glasgow .
Blue Anchor, Helston, Cornwall, visited 2018Rose and Crown (Eli’s), Huish Episcopi, Somerset, visited 2018
A few former entries
The New Bazaar, Dumfries, visited 2022, now closedThe Stag, Cemaes, Ynys Môn, visited 2017Queen’s Head, Newton, Cambridgeshire. Visited 2019The Oban Inn, Oban, Argyll. Visited 2019
Our self-imposed five year rule means that this year we have lost a few entries in Dundee and Perth and Kinross – we couldn’t travel widely in 2020. New areas with entries on the list are East Lothian and North Ayrshire. Lancashire, Oxfordshire, A small number of pubs have been deleted due to closure. We can’t be everywhere and for those areas not included check out CAMRAs Good Beer Guide or the http://www,camra.org.uk website.
Ted enjoys a pint in the Red lion, Litton, Derbyshire, 2023
Go with Ted 