When it comes to cosy pubs you simply can’t beat the British countryside‘s offering.
Whether you’re looking to escape the city, or are planning your next weekend away, these stylish, warming pubs offer the perfect mix of relaxation and delicious fare to rival any jet-set holiday. We’ve rounded up the best boltholes delivering that winning alchemy of good food, aesthetic prowess and a welcoming atmosphere – pub dogs and delicious pies come as an added bonus. Spanning historic coaching inns to renovated townhouses, from Surrey to Warwickshire, these are our picks for the best pubs with rooms.
The Bull at Charlbury, Oxfordshire
It’s no overstatement to say that the Public House group has created some of the most stylish gastropubs in the country. Its collection, which includes The Fat Badger in Notting Hill and The Pelican in Westbourne Park, is known not only for aesthetics, but also comforting, home-made cooking and a welcoming ambience. Cotswolds bolthole The Bull at Charlbury is its only non-London outpost, and has fast become the ultimate country break for those with taste and a big appetite. A 16th-century coaching inn, this a truly beautiful space, characterised by a low-key, rustic minimalism. The food is famously sensational, and the fires crackle and snap cinematically. The rooms are equally easy on eye; if you can, book Room 6 – the largest in the property with sloping ceilings, a four-poster bed and a roll top bath overlooking the village high street. By Ella Alexander
The Merry Harriers, Surrey
When Americans envisage a British village pub, they picture The Merry Harriers. Everyone wants a local like this; warm, atmospheric and busy, complete with candle-lit tables, a roaring fire, pies you’ll dream about for days afterwards and staff who treat you as if you’ve been friends for years. In 2023, this 16th-century Surrey pub was lovingly restored by school friends Sam Fiddian Green and Alex Winch, who turned it into a bustling, popular spot for DFLs (Down from Londons), and, most crucially, the local community, including the village dog who wanders in and out when he chooses. The menu focuses on British classics, with produce sourced from the owners nearby farm – try the venison pie for two, a rich and tender treat that will require you to roll into one of the upstairs bedrooms or the shepherd huts across the road. Although the latter come into their own in the summer months, we can personally attest that the logburners and underfloor heating make them cosy snugs in the winter, too. Outside each sits a firepit for roasting marshmellows and stargazing late into the night. The country never felt so appealing. By Ella Alexander
The Double Red Duke, Oxfordshire
In the small Oxfordshire village of Clanfield sits The Double Red Duke, one of the UK’s best pubs with rooms. This cosy, unassuming bolthole, formerly an inn called the Cotswold Plough, was acquired in 2020 by Georgie and Sam Pearman, as part of their Country Creatures group. Following a major revamp, The Double Red Duke opened to much acclaim, with as much attention paid to its stylish, yet colourful rooms, as the food menu (the roasts are particularly good). Come in the summer and sit outside under one of its striped parasols, or visit in the winter where snug reading nooks and open fires offer plenty of opportunity to relax. There’s also a host of spa treatments available to ensure you leave feeling truly zen. Read our full review here. By Ella Alexander
The Bower House, Warwickshire
Sitting at the centre of the especially quaint Shipston on Stour, Bower House has made a lovingly restored home out of the beautiful Georgian building it encompasses. All five of its bespoke rooms (and family suite) are stylishly decorated with modern, mid-century touches and kitted out with Nespresso machines, Roberts radios, retro phones, porcelain crockery, and cocktail trays. The bathrooms are beautiful, complete with bath and shower, and stocked with organic products made in the Cotswolds. After a soak in your claw-foot tub, make tracks for the restaurant, which boasts an impressive menu designed by Sukhjinder Aujla, who previously worked at Nobu, The Savoy, and The Metropolitan in London.
The Rose, Kent
The Rose in Deal, Kent lives up to its 200-year history, providing chic comfort and artistic charm on the Deal seaside. Set amongst boutiques and vintage shops, its eight unique bedrooms perfectly combine luxury with bold-coloured interiors that are totally Insta-worthy. When it comes to dining, guests are treated to seasonal menus served with the finest local ingredients. Enjoy a meal in the cosy dining room, or opt for a table on their gorgeous patio and sip on one of their deliciously designed cocktails whilst you soak up the fresh sea breeze.
The Bradley Hare, Wiltshire
Situated in the beautiful village of Maiden Bradley in southwest Wiltshire, The Bradley Hare is located on the Duke of Somerset’s Estate. Launched by James Thurstan Waterworth, ex-European Design Director for Soho House, interiors are (as you might expect) swoon worthy – think 18th and 19th century antique furniture and distinctive fabrics strewn across imposing headboards. Comprised of twelve homely bedrooms – seven in the main house and a further five in the Coach House – entry to The Bradley Hare is via a traditional pub space. Operating on a ‘dine anywhere’ basis, guests can choose from pub classics as well as more refined dishes from the à la carte menu – we’ll be ordering the smoked haddock, barbequed asparagus with ricotta, and wood-fired shallots. Post- (or pre-)feasting, we’d prioritise a little R&R at the Potting Shed, a private and secluded boutique beauty studio hidden within the grounds of Bradley Park.
Mr. Hanbury's Mason Arms, Oxfordshire
Boutique hotel group Artist Residence idyllic country retreat, Mr. Hanbury’s Arms is a fun and friendly spot. The 16th-century inn in Oxfordshire has five stylish bedrooms, three luxurious suites located in outbuildings, and a Shepherd’s Hut perfect for a cosy stay for two. Design-wise the Mr. Hanbury’s Mason Arms has a bohemian flare, expect unique features such as high-pitched ceilings, log-burner fireplaces, and eclectic artwork. Some rooms even feature roll-top baths. On the main floor, The Mason Arms is a welcoming country pub where guests can relax and unwind in front of the fire and enjoy a sumptuous menu with food sourced from nearby farms and produce from the kitchen’s own onsite garden.
The Wheatsheaf Inn, Gloucestershire
This 17th-century coaching inn showcases the best of the English countryside. The bedrooms at The Wheatsheaf are stylish, elegant, and homely. With calming, neutral tones, printed wallpaper, and industrial-style lighting, for a touch of modern flare, each one of the 14 bespoke rooms provides a perfect space to unwind. It’s the small, personal touches that set the Wheatsheaf apart, including handwritten welcome notes, fluffy bathrobes, and organic toiletries from Bramley, plus, there’s an onsite treatment room providing a host of relaxing massage treatments for guests to refresh and recharge. Simple, rustic food is served in the restaurant and, of course, the Sunday lunch is not to be missed.
The Duke William, Kent
Eating and drinking well is at the heart of The Duke William’s vision. From their celebrated Sunday roasts, to their daily pub menu accompanied by beer and ale from the finest local breweries, and a diverse and eclectic wine list, your taste buds will not be disappointed when visiting this friendly and fashionable pub. Situated just ten minutes outside the historic town of Canterbury, and located on the beautiful, rolling plains of Kent, relax and unwind in one of the four beautifully designed modern bedrooms after a long walk in the countryside. Cosy king-sized mattresses are encased in stylish iron bed frames surrounded by colourful, contemporary accents. DAB radios and wood and leather furniture provide the ultimate design features for a comfortable stay. End each day with a fireside sundowner in their beautiful beer garden, meticulously arranged with hanging plants, olive trees, and herb boxes in full bloom. It’s no wonder past guests have described The Duke William as “the perfect little getaway”.
The Pheasant Inn, Berkshire
A short trip from London on the M4 will take you to The Pheasant Inn. This Berkshire bolthole is the perfect weekend retreat, given its close proximity to the capital, and characterful, cosy quarters. After checking in, head to the bar and order a Pheasant Ale before hunkering in for the afternoon/ evening; plop yourself fireside or in the bar’s adjoining cosy snug. The Pheasant Inn’s offering peaks in the kitchen, serving up A-grade pub grub. We’d suggest you order includes the mushroom wellington and the zingy lemon posset.
Lead image: The Merry Harriers by Joe Howard
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