OS Champions • Walking • Dec 01, 2023 • 10 min read
There’s nothing better than incorporating a stop at a nearby pub when out on a walk with friends and family. Reward yourself with a refreshing drink or warm up in front of the fire. Here are 10 of the best pub walks across Great Britain.
Distance: 7.5 miles / 12km
Time: 2.5 hours
Difficulty: Easy
Parking: Park opposite the church, High St, Upper Dean
Footpath near Yelden in Bedfordshire
Just outside of the historic market town of Wellingborough, this walk to popular watering hole, The Three Compasses pub, is a delight. The route takes you to the remains of a motte and bailey castle; imposing at one time, but now a collection of grass mounds providing a scenic foreground to the village. If you're hankering for some native forest, you could extend the trip with a stroll around Melchbourne's Hillands Plantation.
Distance: 2.8 miles / 4.5km
Time: 1 hour
Difficulty: Easy
Parking: Clytha Riverside car park (grid ref: SO361085)
A gentle 2.8-mile (4.5km) walk along the River Usk, through woodland, meadows, past an ancient chapel, a pub, and then up a hill to an 18th Century folly. The route is through National Trust land and follows footpaths and permitted paths. It's wonderful at anytime of year but especially in spring when the bluebells out are. It's a lovely family-friendly walk and great for dogs, although they'll need to be on leads through fields and where there is livestock.
The walk also takes in the award-winning Clytha Arms and is worth stopping there for a earned rest, a pint or a meal. It's a family owned pub which welcomes children and dogs. There's a big beer garden and loads of seating outside and a family play area. They boast real ales and home cooked food. Check out their daily specials board where fresh fish is always on offer
Recommended by OS Champion Phillipa Cherryson. Follow Phillipa on Instagram.
Distance: 9.5 miles / 15.7km
Time: 4 hours 30 mins
Difficulty: Moderate
Parking: Village car park (grid ref SO180239) or pub car park if eating/visiting
Farmers Arms Pub in Cwmdu
This is a lovely mountain route with two ascents that get the heart racing, but the views make it all worthwhile. From Mynydd Troed and Mynydd Llangorse you can look east to the Black Mountains across to Hay Bluff, and west across Llangorse Lake to the Central Beacons and Pen y Fan and on a clear day right over to the Carmarthen Fans. You'll be starting out on a quiet country lane before heading onto the open hillside and up to a pass where a minor road crosses the hill. There you can follow the marked route on a steep climb up Mynydd Troed to its trig point and the views it enjoys, or if you are short on time or want to save energy, you can skip that loop and instead turn left up Cockitt Hill and onto Mynydd Llangorse. It makes the walk about half an hour shorter. this is one worth saving for a clear day as it really is all about the views.
The Farmers Arms Pub in Cwmdu is a community owned pub. In winter or on chilly days you'll find a cheerful fire in the grate and real ale on tap. They cook all their own food and their Sunday lunches are really popular (I love their roast beef and Yorkshire puddings!) so it's best to book.
Recommended by OS Champion Phillipa Cherryson. Follow Phillipa on Instagram.
Distance: 5.5 miles / 9 km
Time: 2 hours 30 mins
Difficulty: Easy/Moderate
Parking: Grindleford Station/Fox Inn
Marie on her pub walk
A lovely 5.5-mile (9km) circular route from Grindleford through Padley Gorge, up to Owler Tor with great views over Hathersage Moor. The route continues up to Higger Tor and drops back down past the famous Carl Wark Fort and into the Longshaw Estate with the option to pop into the lovely cosy Fox House Inn for locally sourced food or a hot chocolate! The route then finishes up with an well-trodden easy path through the Longshaw Estate and back to Grindleford Station.
The trail is generally well marked. It was very muddy and slightly boggy from the rain and snow when we walked it. It's also dog friendly as long as the dog is on a lead. There is also the option to park at the Fox House Inn pub (if you have a reservation and start and end the walk from there).
Recommended by outdoor adventurer Marie Cheng. Follow Marie on Instagram.
Distance: 3.5 mile / 5.5 km
Time: 1 hour 15 mins (each way)
Difficulty: Moderate
Parking: Seahouses 15-17, B1340, Seahouses
Debbie on the Seahouses pub walk
This pub walk begins in the seaside town of Seahouses and starts off along a tarmac coastal path which passes through the sand dunes, avoiding the cliffs and rock pools.
Please note, this route is only possible for wheelchair users who use an all terrain wheelchair that is suitable for the beach. It is important that you know the capabilities of your machine – please check manufacturers instructions. For the walk I used the TerrainHopper. You can enjoy a Sunday Carvery at a favourite local watering hole, The Bamburgh Castle Inn, which is wheelchair accessible. Watch a video about this walk here.
Recommended by OS Champion Debs North. Follow the Debs on Instagram.
Distance: 3.8 miles / 6.2 km
Time: 2 hours
Difficulty: Easy
Parking: Roadside in Troutbeck or on the A592 at Jesus Church either roadside or in small car park on Green Gate.
Mortal Man Inn, Troutbeck
This is a leisurely ramble mainly on well-marked lanes and paths taking in the Wainwright top of Baystones (Wansfell) that can be extended along the ridge to capture the stunning views over Windermere from Wansfell Pike. You might be lucky enough to get up close to some wild horses along the ridge! This walk includes an easy descent from either summit brings you back in to the village of Troutbeck, where the curiously named Mortal Man Inn is situated. It's a cosy pub where the fire is always burning and it serves excellent locally sourced food and ales to enjoy after an enjoyable morning or afternoon on the fells.
Recommended by outdoor lover Mike Evans. Follow Mike on Instagram.
Distance: 5 miles / 8.2 km
Time: 2 hrs
Difficulty: Easy
Parking: Brandeston Queen pub
A varied rambling loop walk through some of Suffolk's best countryside, mixing woods, fields, and the upper course of the river Deben. Choose to stop for a drink and food at either of the Cretingham Bell or Brandeston Queen, two fantastic country pubs.
Recommended by OS Champion Chris Webster. Follow Chris on Instagram.
Chris and family on the Brandeston and Cretingham pub walk
Distance: 10.5 miles / 16.9km
Time: 4 hours 30 mins
Difficulty: Moderate
Parking: Symonds Yat
On the Highmeadow Trail
On the Highmeadow Trail
The Highmeadow Trail is an 10.5-mile circular forest trail with three fabulous pubs along the way so you can choose whether to have a fantastic meal during or after your walk. You could even do breakfast, lunch and dinner! Taking in the stunning Wye Valley, the route will take you up and down the iconic Symonds Yat with a cheeky ferry ride across the river in season (check it’s open by calling The Saracens Head before, otherwise you can walk along to Biblins bridge and cross there).
Starting at Symonds Yat Rock, you can buy superb locally made cake, then end at either Ye Olde Ferrie Inn (their boar burger is sensational, as is their mac n cheese for us veggies), or The Saracens Head, both popular places to eat so book ahead. The White Horse Inn is a great lunch break in Staunton, half way around the route.
Recommended by outdoor lover Eli Bishop. Follow Eli on Instagram.
Distance: 4 miles / 6 km
Time: 1 hour 30 mins
Difficulty: Moderate
Parking: Roadside options near the Warren House Inn (please use the car parks provided)
Dartmoor National Park
This 4-mile (6km) circular route takes you on a journey through time. Discover the Bronze Age settlement of Grimspound, explore the fascinating 18th and 19th Century remains of Birch Tor and Vitifer Mines, then relax at the atmospheric Warren House Inn in front of a fire that never goes out. As you walk watch out for mine shafts and notice the place names. It's all about the rabbits around here. Can you work out why?
Recommended by OS Champion Fi Darby. Follow Fi on Instagram.
Distance: 6 miles / 10 km
Time: 2 hours 30 mins
Difficulty: Easy
Parking: Hambledon
Village of Hambledon
A lovely 6-mile (10km) circular walk from the beautiful village of Hambledon which takes in the 'Cradle Of English Cricket'. The original English Cricket Headquarters is opposite the Bat and Ball Pub, a great place to stop for a well-earned drink. Be sure to check out the memorial stone to the home of English Cricket. This is a relatively flat walk over mixed terrain. It involves gates and styles.
Recommended by OS Champion Glyn Dodwell. Follow Glyn on Instagram.
Distance: 4 miles / 6km
Time: 2-3 hours
Difficulty: Moderate
The Wallace Bandstand, Nairn
Making a guest appearance with one very special additional walk, Visit Scotland have given us this great route to feature for Scotland. Nairn is a lovely resort town on the Moray Coast that is famous for its sandy beaches and tricky golf courses. This bracing bimble takes you from the harbour, along past the dunes to the east of Nairn and towards Culbin Forest. If you decide to extend your walk deep into the forest (highly recommended) then keep an eye out for the high cliffs across the water and rare red squirrels. Recommended pub to start and end from: Bandstand Restaurant and Bar.
Recommended by Visit Scotland. Follow Visit Scotland on Instagram.
Enjoy these pub walks and take full advantage of the fact that you've earned that Sunday roast or that mug of hot chocolate at the end!
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