When you think of the UK, what’s the first thing that springs to mind?
Is it the copious amounts of tea they drink? Perhaps it’s the way they apologise several hundred times per day, even if they’re not in the wrong? It could even be the national dish of fish and chips? Whilst the aforementioned examples are all synonymous with the UK, there’s something that is even more commonly associated with the United Kingdom, and that is the humble British pub.
Pubs for the Brits are a way to escape the stresses of modern life, to socialise with friends, family, and locals, to enjoy delicious food and drink, and no doubt in some instances, to consume far too much booze and pay the price the next morning.
I’ve spent a lot of time in the UK and have certainly seen my fair share of British pubs, which is why I’m looking forward to writing this article for you today. Despite having enjoyed more than enough pints and pub lunches, I haven’t yet experienced a pub considered ‘famous’. I have, however, done my research and here is what I came up with.
Here’s a look at se7en of the most famous pubs in the UK.
Canal House, Nottingham
To start with, I’ll take you to the land of Robin Hood – Nottingham.
As you may or may not know, the canal systems in the UK formed the backbone of this great nation during the industrial revolution, and to this day the canal systems in the UK are still very busy.
The narrowboats these days, however, carry holidaymakers and keen boaters as opposed to goods needed to run a nation, but in any event, the canals are still packed, especially in the summer.
All of that boating can be thirsty work, though so once you’ve moored up, why not head into the Canal House pub and grab yourself a pint.
This pub located in a former wharf on the canal basin is no ordinary pub as contained within its interior you will actually find a stretch of the canal. How cool is that?
Old Green Tree, Bath
Bath is a hugely popular spa town that is renowned for its gorgeous surroundings and lavish upmarket architecture and series of bathhouses. Hmm, I wonder how it got its name?
Bath is a great day out or is the ultimate destination for those looking for a long weekend away.
Bath is home to a number of pubs, yet many consider the Old Green Tree to be the best of the best, and that is quite an accomplishment.
This 300-plus-year-old building is unspoiled, it offers a series of locally brewed ales, spacious interiors, fine leather seating, and wooden-panelled walls nestled amongst comfortable surroundings.
After a long day of sightseeing and shopping, there’s no better way to unwind.
The Felin Fach Griffin, Wales
If you want to escape the urban surroundings of city and town life and want to enjoy a drink and meal in a quieter, more rural and picturesque surrounding, then the Felin Fach Griffin pub in Wales is perfect.
This amazing watering hole is situated in the Welsh Valleys between the Brecon Beacons and the Black Mountains.
As you can expect, the surroundings here are divine, and that, coupled with the name, make this sound like an Inn plucked directly out of a Tolkien epic.
The pub is fishermen friendly, dog friendly, and friendly in general as you’re guaranteed to be greeted with a smile.
This pub recently won the title of the Good Pub Guide’s ‘Dining Pub of the Year’ in Wales, so you know that the food and drink here is pretty special. It may be pub food, but it’s not pub food like you’d expect, as there are celebrity chefs that would be in awe of the food and drink on offer here.
The Bell Inn, Essex
Now I’m going to take you to Essex and take you back in time several hundred years, to the year 1555.
If you visit the Bell Inn tavern, you’ll notice a blue plaque hanging on the wall on the exterior of the pub. The plaque commemorates a grizzly act carried out by the Sheriff of Essex. The story goes that one evening the sheriff and his men entered the pub, not for a tankard of ale, but rather to burn a local landowner at the stake for the crime of heresy.
It sounds a little macabre to commemorate such an act, but this blue plaque is synonymous with the Bell Inn and it highlights just how awful people used to be.
Now the Bell Inn, with its dark wooden beams and panelled walls is home to a selection of fine ales and wines, a stunning food menu, a dining room, and a quieter bar area for people who just want a pint and to read their paper in peace.
The Royal Oak, London
There are plenty of Royal Oak pubs in the UK, yet the Royal Oak in the Borough of London is widely regarded as one of the most popular in the British Isles.
This pub is located in close proximity to where the Canterbury Tales’ Chaucer’s Inn supposedly stood, yet it sees its very own pilgrims, in search of the perfect pint, and the Oak doesn’t disappoint.
The Royal Oak is located in a busy area, so it can get quite crowded, though that is part of the charm.
The Blind Beggar, London
Next up is the somewhat controversial Blind Beggar pub.
This is arguably Britain’s most famous pub as it is synonymous with East End gangsters, the Kray Twins.
Located on Whitechapel Road, this is the pub where Ronnie Kray was alleged to have murdered rival gangster George Cornell in plain sight.
Nowadays it is a popular tourist attraction that serves fine ales and homecooked meals.
The Lord Nelson Inn, Suffolk
Last, but by no means least, I present to you the Lord Nelson Inn.
Located in Suffolk, this gorgeous coastal pub is perfect for people visiting the seaside town of Southwold.
If like me, you love the British seaside, this is the pub for you as they serve a selection of locally brewed ales, ciders, wines, spirits, and soft drinks. As for the food and drink, well, their beer-battered fish and chips are legendary, though they also offer many more pub favourites and seafood delights including seafood linguine.
These se7en pubs will surely bring a lot of fun in your life! Have you been? Tell us which is your favourite one!
Until next time stay safe, stay curious and don’t stop wandering!