Just a short drive from the sweeping sands of Barafundle Bay sits a “charming village inn” that has earned national recognition as one of the UK’s best cosy pubs for cold winter days.
There are few pleasures to rival a brisk winter walk that ends beside a roaring fire, pint in hand, with a hearty roast dinner to follow. Pembrokeshire, of course, is not short of welcoming pubs that fit the bill – nor is the rest of the UK – which can make choosing the perfect spot something of a challenge.
To help narrow it down, experts at The i Paper have compiled a list of the 30 best cosy pubs across the country, highlighting those that truly come into their own during the colder months.
The UK’s best cosy pubs for winter, according to The i Paper
The full list includes:
The Ropemaker (Emsworth, Hampshire)
The Penny Bun (Ilkley, West Yorkshire)
The Blind Bull (Buxton, Derbyshire)
The Gunton Arms (Norwich, Norfolk)
The Bell at Ramsbury (Marlborough, Wiltshire)
The Ship Inn (Elie, Fife)
The Farmhouse at Redcoats (Hitchin, Hertfordshire)
The Barrington Boar (Ilminster, Somerset)
The Queen’s Arms (Sherborne, Somerset)
The Falcon (Painswick, Gloucestershire)
The Three Hills (Bartlow, Cambridgeshire)
The Cartford Inn (Preston, Lancashire)
The Felin Fach Griffin (Brecon, Powys)
The Horse Guards Inn (Petworth, Sussex)
Howard Arms (Ilmington, Warwickshire)
The Royal Oak (Chipping Norton, Oxfordshire)
The Pear Tree Inn (Troston, Suffolk)
The Dabbling Duck (Great Massingham, Norfolk)
The Bell at Sapperton (Cirencester, Gloucestershire)
The Bell (Ticehurst, Sussex)
The Durham Ox (York, North Yorkshire)
The Lord Crewe Arms (Blanchland, Northumberland)
Masons Arms (Branscombe, Devon)
The Duncombe Arms (Ellastone, Staffordshire)
The Stackpole Inn (Pembroke, Pembrokeshire)
The Ferry House (Harty, Kent)
The Bath Arms at Longleat (Warminster, Wiltshire)
Rose & Crown (Barnard Castle, Durham)
High Corner Inn (Ringwood, Hampshire)
The Punch Bowl (Kendal, Cumbria)
Why the Stackpole Inn made the list
Pembrokeshire’s own Stackpole Inn, located near Pembroke, was singled out as one of the top 30 pubs ideal for a winter visit.
Explaining its inclusion, The i Paper said: “This charming village inn, a short drive from Barafundle Bay, is surrounded by stunning countryside.
“Enjoy cosy interiors with low wooden ceilings, exposed stone walls and a roaring wood-burner.
“Feast on hearty dishes such as rib of local beef, paired with Welsh ale from the slate bar.”
The pub’s reputation is also reflected in customer feedback. The Stackpole Inn currently holds a 4.5 out of five rating on Tripadvisor, based on 1,203 reviews.
One recent reviewer wrote: “Always one of my all-time favourite places to go, whether that’s a drink, coffee, or food.
“The staff are so friendly and attentive. It’s warm and cosy after a windy, rainy hike along the coast.
“A post-hike pint is a must when I go to Stackpole and this inn accommodates for just that.
“I have visited many times now and it’s never been anything short of a lovely visit.”
For those looking to extend their stay, the inn also offers overnight accommodation. Guests can book one of its “stylish” rooms, described as featuring “seaside hues and star-gazing windows” to ensure a “fabulous” stay.
