‘Not many pub lunches require a trip across the Atlantic’: readers’ favourite UK country pubs with great food

Winning tip: fabulous food and views on a Scottish island

There are not many pub lunches that require a trip across the Atlantic, but to reach Tigh An Truish (a 30-minute drive south of Oban), visitors must cross the 250-year-old Bridge over the Atlantic – Clachan Bridge, which links the west coast of the Scottish mainland to the Isle of Seil. This transatlantic journey is well worth it for delicious and lovingly presented local fare (think Argyll venison and mussels brought into Oban harbour). The pub bustles with visitors and locals, while the adjoining restaurant is a warm space to coorie in from the wild west coast and enjoy the stunning views down the Clachan Sound.
Calum Hamilton

Homegrown ingredients in the South Downs

On a hot July Sunday in 2023 we came across the Sussex Ox at the foot of the hills that lead up to the Long Man of Wilmington, near Alfriston, in East Sussex. Following a path from close to the pub, we climbed the hill to get close to the mysterious figure cut into the hillside and fell in love with the view. Galloping back down for lunch at the pub, we encountered a horse in its garden and its rider happily sipping a pint – a sight that seemed to symbolise what makes a great country pub. But the best was yet to come: a Sunday lunch with many of the ingredients coming from the pub’s own farm in Jevington, grass-fed and sustainably reared. Big, complex flavours in classic Sunday roasts testified to the wisdom of this approach. Ales are from the Long Man brewery. Vintage crockery and charming staff completed our wholly satisfying afternoon. We have returned many times since as we keep being drawn back to South Downs walks and this picturesque and wholly hospitable country pub.
Noreen Meehan

Puddings to die for in Monmouthshire

I find everything about the Angel Inn at Grosmont near Abergavenny to my liking. Centrally located in an ancient village set in glorious walking countryside, there is also a castle nearby where children can play while adults linger over drinks. The food is varied, generous and beautifully cooked by chef Jim Hamilton, with puddings to die for. The Angel Inn is also a friendly pub used by the community, with chess nights, quizzes and live music. There’s a central open fire, local beers, dogs, books and Welsh-language clubs. It is never cliquey and everyone is made to feel welcome.
Clare

Sea bass after a long walk in foodie Ceredigion

Y Talbot, in Tregaron, west Wales, led the charge in making Ceredigion a great foodie location, and they’ve kept up the quality. Steaks are a speciality, plus high quality favourites such as slow-cooked Welsh lamb and beautifully prepared sea bass. Seasonal dishes use local produce and there are also lovely rooms. The pub is great to visit after a long walk (I really recommend Cors Caron nature reserve with its peat bogs, ponds and walkways). It’s a dog-friendly place with beers from breweries like Wye Valley, Mantle and Purple Moose.
Maisie Baynham

Homemade pies in North Yorkshire

Photograph: Christopher Thomond/The Guardian

Walking into the Craven Arms in Appletreewick is like being wrapped up in the arms of a best friend. Its cosy and traditional decor is instantly warming, and if you take a look around you’ll see fellow punters with a rather smug expression; nobody can believe how lucky they are. Hot homemade pies smothered in rich gravy warm you up in winter. Fresh sandwiches stuffed with quality local ingredients fill you up in summer. Perch outside and you’ll dine with a backdrop of rolling Yorkshire hills.
George

The Swan Inn at Kettleshulme in the Peak District is a 15th-century village pub that has been reinvigorated after being saved from closure by a community buyout some years ago. The bar area is still original, with an open fire, but the restaurant is in a stunning new extension. The food is amazing with a surprising range of fish dishes for somewhere so far from the sea – the bouillabaisse is wonderful, as is the meat cooked on a Josper grill. And there are three gorgeous bedrooms if you want to stay the night.
Don Berry

A hillside haven on the edge of Dartmoor

Photograph: Jon Kempner

On the northern edge of Dartmoor, Belstone is a place where wily winds whisper secrets, and views sweep you off your feet. Perched on a Dartmoor hillside, the Tors inn is a haven of fine local fare, and the menu names all of the suppliers on a map. Fans of smoky flavours will appreciate the kitchen’s passion for smoking slow and low. Sunday roasts are a highlight, with tender meat paired with a vibrant variety of seasonal veggies, roasted to perfection. After a moorland stomp, rest weary feet and indulge in these tasty treats, followed by a decadent and comforting slice of sticky toffee pudding. Your senses will thank you as nature and nurture entwine in this hillside haven.
Laura

A welcoming candlelit bar in Cornwall

Set back from its greenstone, basaltic headland namesake, the gorse-yellow Gurnard’s Head is a welcome beacon. Step in off the moors between St Ives and St Just and you’ll be welcomed by a candlelit bar stocked with local Cornish ales and wines. Stop for a coffee, a seasonal supper of local produce, or stay the night if you can’t face leaving the warmth of the open fire. Definitely worth a short detour, whether you’re hiking the South West Coast path, cycling the West Kernow Way or driving down to Land’s End.
Helen

A cosy fire and excellent food in Norfolk

Photograph: Richard Donovan/Alamy

If you love beach walks, sand dunes and seals, you will love the Nelson Head in Horsey. This small pub with a cosy fire serves excellent classics such as steak pie and chilli con carne in rooms full of atmosphere, with old muskets and antique paraphernalia adorning the walls. A lovely mown field opposite with a marquee and picnic benches enables you to gaze at distant church spires while you sip your beverage.
Peter

Game, seafood and souffle in Northumberland

The Kirkstyle Inn in Slaggyford overlooks the beautiful River South Tyne, midway between Alston and Brampton. The journey there alone is well worth the trip, weaving through the once-industrial valley. The hospitality is friendly and informal, the menu is locally sourced, specialising in game (rabbit terrine, pigeon pie, grouse with blewit mushrooms) with some good seafood. It is expertly cooked, the wine list is impressive and the beer locally brewed at Twice Brewed. The Sunday lunch is generous and the best I have been served, and whisper a small prayer that the rhubarb souffle is on the dessert menu.
Alex Docton