10 of the best country pubs in the UK for a winter weekend

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Tarr Farm Inn, Exmoor

In the summer months, Tarr Steps is visited by families and visitors who come across the medieval arch bridge that spans the River Barley. But in winter the woodland is tranquil, with beautiful walks to the picturesque village of Dulverton. The Tarr Farm Inn – located on the right at the Steps – dates back to the 1600s, and has nine comfortable rooms with fluffy baths and Egyptian cotton, and homemade biscuits and fresh milk on the tea tray. Settle in for sumptuous dinners of chermoula spiced scallops and Somerset rack of lamb, with cream teas available until 5pm daily as a reward for a long walk.
Doubles from £90 B&B; tarrfarm.co.uk

The Bath Arms, Wiltshire

In the tiny village of Horningsham, opposite the green, is the Bath Arms. Built in 1736 on the Longleat Estate, it remains a wonderfully peaceful spot to unwind. The cozy bar offers a range of local ales, while the candlelit restaurant serves seasonal Wiltshire produce, including meat and game sourced directly from the estate. With 16 bedrooms, service, like the food, is impeccable. The pub has recently been taken over by the Beckford Group, owner of several other leading pubs in the West Country. Relax in Bramley’s new Spa Cabin, or take a short walk through a stone archway to the stunning Elizabethan Longleat House and safari park. Or go a little further afield and visit Stourhead’s glorious 18th century classical gardens.
Doubles from £140 B&B; batharmsinn.com

The Jolly Sportsman, East Sussex

No-one has ever walked across the Jolly Sportsman, tucked away in high-fenced country lanes in the quiet little town of East Chiltington, but despite its rural location, this remote, comfortable pub with rooms is one of the best in East Sussex. On winter days, the fire-lit dining rooms – with slim leather chairs in bottle green and plum and heavy oak furniture – are very comfortable, serving a menu of inventive but wonderful classics: smoked beef croquettes, Sussex venison or fish a caught locally. The four bedrooms are crisp and comfortable, dogs are welcome and there are countryside walks from the door.
Doubles from £140 B&B; thejollysportsman.com

The Jack Russell Inn, Hampshire

Ideal for a winter walking weekend, the Jack Russell has undergone a major refurbishment in recent years, with sleek wood paneling and deep blue hues in the bar areas and 11 chic bedrooms split between the pub and the dog house nearby. Part of the 4,000 acre Faccombe Estate, there are walks from the door into the North Wessex Downs AONB and nearby attractions, including Highclere Castle (Downton Abbey). After a day exploring, return to a cozy dinner with many ingredients from the Estate to create a varied menu, from cured sea bream from Asia, to hearty pies and sinfully good desserts.
Doubles from £140 B&B; thejackrussellinn.com

The West Arms, north Wales

A 16th century inn in Llanarmon Dyffryn Ceiriog, hidden in the unspoilt Glen Ceiriog, this is a rural retreat, with stunning views towards the Berwyn mountains, surrounded by lush, rolling hills. The rooms in the old part of the inn have original oak beams and whitewashed stone walls. The award-winning restaurant focuses on local ingredients, and the fire-lit bar has a good selection of Welsh gins and locally brewed ales.
Doubles from £165 B&B; thewestarms.com

The Creggans Inn, Argyll

The Cliffs on the shores of Loch Fyne catch spectacular winter sunsets, and many of the bedrooms have views over the calm waters of the loch. Food is a big part of a stay here, with MacPunns Bar and Bistro serving up Scottish classics, including cullen skin and Loch Fyne steamed mussels, with daily specials created from the best seasonal produce. The nearby village of Strachur has good walking paths and some of Scotland’s finest castles, including Indreabh Arran and Old Lachlan Castle, are within easy reach.
Doubles from £139 B&B; creggans-inn.co.uk

Joiners Arms, Northumberland

A blustery couple strolls along Northumberland’s stunning beaches with cozy evenings by the fire at The Joiners, a stunningly luxurious inn nestled in the quiet village of Newton-by-the-Sea. Accommodation ranges from rooms above the pub – with wooden beams, Juliet balconies and soaking baths – to two quaintly styled cottages and a shepherd’s hut with an outdoor hot tub, a lovely place for two. At night, the pub comes alive with tables full of diners tucking into classic Chippy Teas, steak frites or North Sea crab, with a good children’s menu and activity sheet to keep them occupied. Dunstanburgh Castle and the picturesque fishing town of Craster are a short drive away.
Doubles from £155 B&B; joiners-arms.com

The Timble Inn, Otley, West Yorkshire

Escape to the tranquility of the Washburn Valley – one of the lesser-known Yorkshire Dales – and stay at the Timble, an 18th-century coaching inn that makes the perfect winter retreat. The nine bedrooms glow with cocoon-like comfort, with pocket-sized beds, Egyptian linens, fluffy robes and a well-stocked tea tray, while the restaurant serves modern British dishes – pickled mackerel with sourdough seaweed, roast loin of venison with a pine and a nut tree. crumble – alongside an independent vegan menu. Nidderdale AONB is on Timble’s doorstep, with walks for everyone from serious hikers to Sunday afternoon strollers, and Harrogate is just nine miles away.
Doubles from £132 B&B; thetimbleinn.co.uk

The Duncombe Arms, Staffordshire

A sleek gastropub with Colfax and Fowler wallpaper, Bamford products and sumptuous fabrics in the 10 individually styled bedrooms and a charming firelit bar area to complement the more modern dining room. Situated on the edge of the Peak District, great walks, fishing on the River Colm and water sports on Carsington Water are all close by, as well as the beautiful market town of Kildeglan, famous for its antique shops. Back at base, the regularly changing menus have won a Michelin Bib Gourmand, and the twice-baked Staffordshire cheese soufflé is not to be missed.
Doubles from £195 B&B; duncombearms.co.uk

Checkers Inn, Derbyshire

A stone’s throw from Froggatt Edge, a spectacular escarpment offering some of the best views in the Peak District, the Checkers is a charming traditional inn. Built in 1735, it has seven spotless rooms (no dogs) and a brand new non-gastro-ised bar, with a roaring fire, walls strewn with pictures and a wooden grandfather clock. The menu specializes in hearty dinners, with good vegetarian options including blue cheese and frangipane salad tart, and butternut squash and artichoke lasagne. On rainy days, Chatsworth, Haddon Hall and Eyam are all within a 10-minute drive, with Bakewell and Buxton also within easy striking distance.
Doubles from £130 B&B; checkers-froggatt.com.

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