The cosiest UK pubs with rooms for a weekend break
Inside the country inns offering historic getaways, with boutique bedrooms and award-winning food to match
If there’s one thing this article should teach you, it’s to never underestimate a quaint, country inn. With some in this portfolio boasting roots dating back to the 12th century, and others having storied guestbooks featuring the likes of Charles Dickens and Jane Austen, a stay in a pub should never be frowned upon, with many on this list promising luxurious amenities and award-winning food on par with five-star hotels in London and beyond. From seaside breaks in West Sussex to historical trips to York, and quintessential English getaways in the Cotswolds, here’s where to get your countryside fix thanks to the best UK pubs with rooms to boot.
The Bull, Charlbury
One of the most popular pubs in the Cotswolds’ honey-hued portfolio is The Bull, situated in leafy Charlbury and accessed via an hour-long direct train from Paddington. Having opened last year, The Bull swiftly received rave reviews, rather unsurprisingly, given its the latest brainchild of gastronomic pioneers Phil Winser and James Gummer, the duo behind Notting Hill’s The Pelican. Having had their finger on the pulse when it came to offering rooms and food with both style and substance, The Bull looks like your average country pub, but inside the offering is extensive, featuring a large bar dotted with open fireplaces, a candle-lit restaurant with cosy wooden booths and leather banquettes, a new private dining room, an outdoor terrace swathed in blankets, furs and fire pits and, finally, 10 en-suite rooms.
These simple, minimalistic and aesthetically-pleasing boutique bedrooms offer extensive views of Oxfordshire’s rolling green fields and are designed to let the natural materials speak for themselves. Expect canopy beds, plush green sofas, ensuite shower rooms kitted out with Wildsmith Skin amenities, underfloor heating and super-soft bathrobes. You won’t find kettles and coffee machines here, but a 24-hour butler at your service making this the perfect romantic bolthole for when a break in the Cotswolds inevitably calls.
From £175 per night.
The Three Daggers, Wiltshire
Images: Ben Phillips
Tracing back to the 18th century, The Three Daggers is situated on the site of the Battle of Edington (878AD) – one of the most formative yet least known battles in British history. Also a short distance from World Heritage sites including Stonehenge, Bath, Salisbury and Avebury, the inn is home to charming rooms, self-catering cottages, a farm shop, a brewery and an award-winning country pub that champions local produce. The inn has three guest bedrooms – Coulston, Priory and Tinhead – featuring modern touches while maintaining rustic charm, while guests seeking more private accommodation have the choice of three luxury cottages in Edington – Orchard House, Brewhouse and the newly-refurbished Hillside Cottage – each of which includes original wooden beams, wood burning stoves and open stone fireplaces.
The two-AA Rosette Three Daggers Pub celebrates the abundance of the great British larder, offering a seasonal farm-to-fork menu that highlights ingredients grown on-site at Edington Priory Farm and from neighbouring Wiltshire suppliers, alongside a range of cocktails and beers brewed on site at the Three Daggers Brewery. Newly-appointed executive chef Toby Sharpe works closely with the farm’s gardening team and head of growing, Arek Adamczak, to form dishes of duck liver parfait with maple granola and spiced Priory Farm plum ketchup and glazed pork belly with Priory Farm apple and pig cheek croquette. Across the road is the Wellness Barn, a serene spa that offers a range of massages, including Swedish, hot stone and deep tissue, as well as yoga, Pilates and morning stretch sessions. For those who’d like to venture further into the countryside, head to the Three Daggers reception desk to book brewery tours, foraging adventures, mountain biking, clay pigeon shooting and fishing.
From £140 per night.
The Bull and Last, London
A stone’s throw from Parliament Hill, The Bull and Last is ideal for guests looking for a stay in the capital while avoiding the crowds. A popular hideaway with locals, the boutique inn boasts seven storied rooms inspired by its old-world clientele, including Dido Belle, the slave daughter turned heiress of nearby Kenwood House. Nods to its former patrons are subtle, but look closely to spot drawings of the longhorn cattle Belle would have seen on the Heath, for example, to be drawn further into the inn’s unique past.
Things get even more characterful as you head downstairs to the pub, where the menu changes frequently depending on the whims of the chef (a Corrigan’s alumnus), as well as the fresh produce the kitchen can get their hands on that day. Dishes of smoked eel and Alsace bacon tagliatelle with Berkswell cheese, and roast cod with pickled mussels and Cornish mids potatoes give it an edge while mustard roast pork sandwiches and Béarnaise-slathered shorthorn prime rib keep a steady roster of locals streaming through the pub’s doors every night of the week.
From £190 per night.
The Judge’s Lodging, York
For those looking to explore the historical gems York has to offer, look no further than The Judge's Lodging: a Grade-I listed Georgian mansion oozing character and history. The building dates back to 1710 and acted as a private residence until 1806, when it was transformed into the home of the assize judges and became their evening refuge from brutal court sessions – this continued until the assize courts were abolished in 1971. Book here to sleep in the luxurious judge’s quarters, featuring bold wallpapers, upholstered headboards, grand king-sized beds and elegant en suites.
Head downstairs to discover two terraces and a cellar bar – the perfect spot come rain or shine – and dine on authentic Yorkshire dishes, such as steak, mushroom and ale pie and the Butcher’s Board (pork and black pudding sausage roll, chicken wings, scotch egg, pickles and focaccia) in the AA Rosette-awarded dining room.
From £128 per night.
The White Horse, Dorking
The White Horse, dating back to the medieval times, is ideal for book lovers, having hosted Charles Dickens and Jane Austen back in the day. Now, the 56-room inn is home to an array of colourful rooms that pay homage to its storied history, ranging from the snug, with teal-blue, panelled walls, and pops of coral, to the ‘comfy room’ inspired by an English garden, with grass-green walls and clotted cream and marigold accents. Pampered pooches are welcome for sleepovers, too.
This 13th century inn has had quite the makeover since Dickens frequented it, and the country pub now boasts seasonal menus laced with French flair – featuring plates of artichoke and mushroom pithivier, cod and butter bean cassoulet, and slow-cooked venison – but Sunday roasts are English to a tee, with all the trimmings and locally-sourced meat in spades. Enjoy a nightcap or digestif in the bar, one of the oldest parts of the building that has a more traditional feel with listed wooden beams, an original fireplace and inviting Hunters Green snug.
From £89 per night.
The Castle Inn, Cotswolds
Nestled in the enchanting village of Castle Combe, The Castle Inn invites guests to step into a 12th century fairytale. Surrounded by honey-coloured stone houses and the Bybrook River, this historic pub proudly sits in the picturesque town’s market square, offering an authentic English pub experience with a touch of cinematic allure. The array of charming rooms are perfect to hunker down in after a lazy evening downstairs, a great day of hiking or as a pit stop on a tour of the Cotswolds.
Awarded two AA Rosettes and named best pub at the Trencherman’s Awards 2023, expect seasonally-inspired dishes at the pub, crafted from local and homegrown ingredients by head chef Jamie Barnett. This isn’t your traditional pub grub, with gazpacho of Isle of Wight tomatoes, ponzu and whipped feta, selection of Somerset charcuterie, tapenade and focaccia, and fillet of Looe hake in clam and parsley dressing all on the menu. Delicious.
From £155 per night.
The Fleece, Cirencester
Rich in 17th century character with 21st century luxury, The Fleece in Cirencester is made up of a fleet of Grade-II listed buildings that house boutique bedrooms featuring White Company amenities, a dog-friendly pub and easy access to the quaint Cotswolds villages of Bibury, Bourton-on-the-Water and The Slaughters. Pub classics here are a cut above the rest, ranging from simple but effective beer battered fish and chips and shepherd’s pie to pan fried gnocchi and seafood linguine. Go beyond The Fleece’s four walls to enjoy Cirencester’s boutique shops, tales of Roman history, and architectural beauty that will keep you occupied for hours on end.
From £115 per night.
The Red Lion, Yorkshire
Is there any better escape than a cosy 16th century inn in the heart of the Yorkshire Dales? Live out your Wuthering Heights dreams from the cosy refuge of the rooms at The Red Lion, which are full of charm and beautiful views over the village green. For those who wish to slumber in true luxury, book the Manor House rooms featuring comfy king size beds, separate lounges and spacious bathrooms featuring a huge roll top bath.
Hikers can get their steps in by joining the Dales Way, which passes through Burnsall on its way to nearby Grassington, or hop the footpath south towards the quaint village of Appletreewick and beyond. After a day exploring the Dales, return to some delicious hearty grub that showcases the best producers from the local area – expect crispy sriracha tofu tacos, feta and mint samosas, game terrine, pheasant breast ballotine and shortcrust pastry pie of the day.
From £102 per night.
The Royal Oak, Lake District
The Royal Oak started its life as an 18th century coaching inn and has played host to some rather well-known literary figures through the years, such as Sir Walter Scott – who wrote part of The Bridal of Triermain here – alongside other literary greats such as Lord Tennyson and Robert Louis Stevenson. A characterful and charming place to stay, where every guest is met with a warm smile and attentive service, pick from an array of rooms all featuring bright furnishings, comfy beds, powerful showers, and small details that help you feel at home.
Dogs are always welcome with treats and cosy beds too, and both man (or woman) and their best friend can refuel with a menu of pub classics – think haggis and black pudding scotch egg, seared gammon steak, fish pie with creamy mash and garlic-studded camembert – by the roaring fire.
From £94 per night.
The Queen’s Arms, Somerset
The Queen’s Arms offers the epitome of a countryside experience, best explored from its 10 refined rooms on the Dorset-Somerset border. Recently taken over by a local family, this Mr and Mrs Smith National Trust country pub stay invites guests to enjoy farm-to-fork culinary offerings following visits to local art galleries and antique shops. Each room has been individually designed to feature plenty of personality, ranging from Room Two, beloved for its double-ended pink bath tub, to Room Seven, with its ikat curtains that frame panoramic views of the countryside beyond.
Downstairs at the warm and convivial pub – dotted with cosy nooks, tartan-clad club chairs and seasonal wreaths – menus have been curated by local chef Rich Townsend. Dishes change seasonally, but expect elevated pub staples of homemade pork scratchings and cider battered fish and chips, alongside more innovative fare like citrus cured monkfish with pickled ginger and fennel.
From £120 per night.
The Crab and Lobster, West Sussex
Overlooking the Pagjam Harbour and bird sanctuary, The Crab and Lobster is ideal for guests looking for countryside relaxation with a touch of rustic seaside chic. This 16th century Mr and Mrs Smith inn harks back to the heydays of boutique pub stays, having retained its flagstone floors, original fireplaces and low wooden beams. A popular spot for those venturing into the Goodwood Estate, don’t forget to pack your sunnies for a sojourn along West Wittering's pebbly beach.
Back at The Crab and Lobster, however, satiate your appetite with a modern British menu focusing on local waters and fields. Look out for the Selsey crab and sardines caught on the south coast, and don’t miss the spiced cauliflower bhajis, crab thermidor and potato and black garlic gnocchi.
From £230 per night.
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