There are few things more quintessentially English than the country pub, and what’s better than a country pub that serves good beer?
Below, we’ve found five exceptional pubs whose cask and draught offerings rival their homely interiors and local clout. Set aside a lovely, lazy afternoon, soak up the atmosphere and sample some local brews.
The Grove Inn, Huddersfield
It’s no wonder that this pub, located in Huddersfield, West Yorkshire, is a favourite amongst beer devotees.
Offering 18 different cask beers, 14 keg lines, and over 150 bottles, it would take ages to properly work your way through the options on hand.
Though a number of rare and foreign beers are available, the keg pours showcase the best of the area, including breweries like Buxton Brewery and The Durham Brewery.
The HAND Beer Bar, Falmouth
Abutting the rocky Cornish coastline, Falmouth also has the distinction of being home to the HAND Beer Bar, a suds-loving spot aimed at true connoisseurs.
Beer offerings, which include a handful of draught lines and upwards of 70 bottles, span a range of styles and origins. Rest assured that their selection of British craft pours is one of the finest in the area.
The Old Spot Inn, Dursley
Currently voted the top pub in England by CAMRA (Campaign for Real Ale), the Old Spot Inn in Gloucestershire is a local ale lover’s dream.
Cask offerings change from month to month, and include award-winning local brews like 01 by Otley Brewing, a quaffable, classic bitter.
Enjoyed alongside one of the pub’s famous “doorstep sandwiches”, there’s no better way to spend a Sunday afternoon.
The Royal Oak, Rusper
The exceptionally quaint Royal Oak in West Sussex offers seven real ales at a time (all of them hailing from local microbreweries, naturally), while five hand pumps dedicated to cider round out the offerings.
Those looking to make a trip out of it are also in luck: the Royal Oak hosts a bed and breakfast, so you can comfortably retire after indulging in a fair few pints.
The Swan with Two Necks, Pendleton
The newly renovated Swan with Two Necks has extended its food and beer offerings, but still boasts a traditional feel.
A favourite of CAMRA’s and a runner-up in its National Pub of the Year competition, the Swan with Two Necks has a rotating array of local, real ales that shifts every few days.
Come here for perfectly fresh beer, hearty fare, and special guest pours from leading British breweries the likes of Dark Star.
Written by insider city guide series Hg2 | A Hedonist’s guide to… whose guides cover all the best hotels, restaurants, bars, clubs, sights, shops and spas
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