The Great British pub, embedded in our culture for centuries and almost entirely unique to our corner of the world, comes in many guises, from village locals that are the beating heart of rural communities, to Michelin-starred city boozers.
The ones you can't forget? They'll woo you in with a pretty beer garden in summer, and a crackling fire and comfy chair in winter, while serving up local beers and hearty fare.
A gentle evolution in recent decades has seen families, including four-legged members, now welcomed with open arms. However you may feel about the term ‘gastropub', dining pubs are becoming a bright spot on Britain's culinary scene.
‘The Great British boozer remains the envy of the world,' says Ash Corbett-Collins, Vice Chairman of Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA). ‘Nothing can beat the warm atmosphere, friendly welcome and top-quality cask beer and real cider found in your humble local.'
To compile our list of Britain's best 100 pubs, we asked dozens of the biggest names in the British food and drink industry, including Tom Parker-Bowles, Raymond Blanc, Michel Roux Jr and Prue Leith, to share their favourites with us. We also scoured hundreds of reviews and food and drink awards and consulted pub experts across the country, including Ed Bedington, Chair of Judges for The Great British Pubs Awards, which take place every September.
What does he think makes a great British pub? ‘One landlord summed it up to me perfectly,' he says: ‘A good pub should "welcome you like a warm hug, and grab you by the legs when you try to leave".'
London
The Queen's Arms, Kensington Location is everything, and this elegant pub is tucked away in a regal, cobbled mews in Kensington - with the Royal Albert Hall just a few minutes' walk away. Italian chef Aldo Zilli describes it as his ‘favourite London pub'.
He says: ‘I went last year with Matt Goss when he was playing the Royal Albert Hall and had the roast. There's a decent fish and chips on the menu too, and always a great atmosphere, particularly when there's a gig next door.'
A pint? Sussex Best, by Harvey's Brewery, £6.65Dog friendly? Yes, ‘We love dogs!'More info: thequeensarmskensington.co.ukThe Audley Public House, MayfairBuilt in 1888, The Audley, on Mayfair's Mount Street, was designed by renowned architect Thomas Verity, who also had a hand in designs for the pavilion at Lord's.
If the brief is a classic pub in a fancy part of town, then it's job done, says MasterChef winner and Wahaca co-founder Thomasina Miers. ‘It's a proper old-fashioned boozer with a beautiful bar and a revamped menu that is just
beautiful pub grub cooked to absolute perfection. The best rarebit, Scotch eggs and prawn cocktail in town.'
A pint? Pumphouse pale ale, by Sambrook's Brewery, £7Dog friendly? Yes, with free dog biscuits tooMore info: theaudleypublichouse.comThe Wigmore, West End This former banking hall with bold green-painted panelling and red leather seats is attached to high-end West End hotel The Langham.
‘It's one of my all-time favourites,' Michel Roux Jr. ‘It's a magnificent watering hole with an impressive drinks selection; the bottled beers and beers on tap are ever-changing. A classic British pub in a great location on Langham Place.'
Order the toasties, they're the best in London Town. A pint? Timothy Taylor's Landlord, £6.75Dog friendly? YesMore info: the-wigmore.co.ukThe Mayflower, RotherhitheNeed some proper history with that pint? The oldest pub on the Thames, Rotherhithe's 16th century The Mayflower, is as gloriously cavernous as you'd imagine. There's stained glass, candles and roaring fires, with a jetty outside for river views. Five roasts, including a veggie option, are served on Sundays.
It's the ‘most atmospheric Thameside pub', according to Time Out magazine. A pint? House beer is Scurvy Ale, £5.30Dog friendly? Yes, downstairsMore info: mayflowerpub.co.ukThe Cow, Notting HillRead More
Amazing UK pubs located on tiny ISLANDS - where the views are guaranteed to be worth drinking inDespite the fancy West London postcode, egalitarian spirit reigns supreme at The Cow (but not when it comes to kids, they've got to leave by teatime), which means all walks of life prop up the bar.
Foodies come for the famed oysters-and-Guinness combo in the upstairs dining room, but the unpretentious ground-floor Saloon Bar, with artist-painted murals on the wall, is just as fun.
A pint? Guinness on draught, £7Dog friendly? Yes, but only till 6pmMore info: thecowlondon.comThe White Swan, RichmondThis small but mighty 18th century pub close to the Thames, down a lovely lane that's just off Richmond Green, gets busy quickly, particularly when there's a rugby match on in nearby Twickenham.
Descend on a weekday though and it's a portion of riverside paradise, with the sun-trap garden still warm on bright autumnal days.
The beef and Guinness pie is a menu highlight. ‘A proper gastro pub... the real lure is the food,' says Conde Nast Traveller.
A pint? Otter Bitter, by Otter Brewery, £5.40Dog friendly? Yes, ‘there's more dogs than people in here sometimes'More info: whiteswanrichmond.co.ukThe Canton Arms, StockwellChef and cookbook writer Mike Davies knows what it takes to make a pub extraordinary. After all, he runs highly-regarded The Camberwell Arms in South London. So, where's his own favourite boozer? The Canton Arms in Stockwell, southwest London, which he describes as ‘really special'.
He says: ‘It has an authentic pub atmosphere but never compromises on food quality. The benchmark single roast includes roast beef, crispy potatoes, horseradish crème fraîche, and watercress but I love the generous sharing dishes too. Eating there feels like joining a welcoming family gathering.'
A pint? Timothy Taylor's Landlord, £5.90Dog friendly? Yes, in the bar, not the restaurantMore info: cantonarms.comThe Anglesea Arms, HammersmithAllegra McEvedy says a fair chunk of her wages has been spent dining in this West London pub over the last 20 years. Why does she keep coming back? ‘Continuity of chef is a rarity in London, but Brazilian Jasnobio Fardin has been at the helm for years now, and even for an old pro like me he still continues to create dishes and menus that impress. Order the Caesar Salad, it's the best you'll ever have, and if you get the blackcurrant sorbet, ask for some double cream to pour over, it's eye-rollingly good.'
A pint? Otter Bitter, by Otter Brewery, £6Dog friendly? Yes, half of the pub is, book ahead is the adviceMore info gampang maxwin: angleseaarmspub.co.ukThe Butcher's Tap & Grill, Chelsea Just behind ever-fashionable King's Road, The Butcher's Tap & Grill is chef megastar Tom Kerridge's second outpost of boozer-meets-grill house, with the first being 30 miles west in Marlow.