14 Great Country Pubs to Cosy Up in This Winter
A delicious meal and a pint beside a roaring open fire – we couldn’t think of anything better on a cold and wet winter’s day
The Alice Hawthorn Inn
The Green, Nun Monkton, York YO26 8EW
01423 330303
thealicehawthorn.com
Off the beaten track, this charming country pub is a must-visit for Yorkshire foodies. Their menus are created with fresh and seasonal ingredients, but expect to find chalk stream trout, Yorkshire spring lamb and salt-aged local duck for mains. On warmer days, their beer garden is a popular spot for everything from a Ploughman’s and a pint to lobster and champagne – just remember to book in advance.
The Rose & Crown
Romaldkirk, Barnard Castle DL12 9EB
01833 650213
rose-and-crown.co.uk
In the Durham dales, this village inn blends old-world charm with contemporary touches. With an emphasis on local produce, the kitchen team (headed up by Dave Hunter) create dishes which tread the line between pub classics and fine dining – think homemade shortcrust venison and bacon pie or baked fillet of cod with crab saag aloo. Choose a table in the candlelit restaurant or head to the bar where you can sample local real ales, gins and wines from around the world with your four-legged friend at your feet.
The Blue Lion
Main Road, East Witton, near Leyburn DL8 4SN
01969 624273
thebluelion.co.uk
This cosy pub is renowned for its great food. Their menu showcases the very best of seasonal Yorkshire produce, and choose to dine beside the fire in the atmospheric bar area, or in the more elegant dining room. Pair your choice of dish with a tipple from their extensive wine list or a real ale from Black Sheep Brewery in nearby Masham.
The Feathers Inn
Hedley-on-the-Hill, Stocksfield NE43 7SW
01661 843607
thefeathers.net
The multi-award winning Feathers Inn has somehow pulled off the trick of remaining a welcoming country pub while serving up exceptional food which draws visitors from near and far. There are three snug rooms, each with its own wood-burning stove, and a sheltered and covered yard outside, with firepits to keep you cosy. The pub’s menu changes regularly and features a plethora of local produce, and keep an eye on their socials so you don’t miss their pop-up pizza nights, pop-up patisserie mornings and special menus.
The Three Acres
Roydhouse, Shelley, Huddersfield HD8 8LR
01484 602606
3acres.com
Set in beautiful countryside, this charming country inn offers seasonal dishes which change regularly, so be sure to stop by frequently. Expect unique flavours like saddleback belly and bacon Scotch egg, wild fallow venison with ask-baked celeriac, and lemon thyme posset with coconut shortbread.
High Force Hotel
Alston Road, Forest-in-Teesdale, County Durham DL12 0XH
01833 622336
raby.co.uk
High Force Hotel offers an exciting mix of traditional British classics and international favourites, all whilst showing off the best of Upper Teesdale producers. Kick back and relax, either in the dining room or beside the fire in the friendly bar – and it’s dog-friendly too. Their fabulous Sunday lunch is something of an institution and the perfect post-walk treat.
The Shibden Mill Inn
Shibden Mill Fold, Shibden, Halifax HX3 7UL
01422 365840
shibdenmillinn.com
An award-winning country inn in the beautiful Shibden Valley, enjoy warm hospitality and first-class dining here. Visit at the weekend to sample their Sunday lunch menu – crispy pig head, chive emulsion, Old Cotswold Legbar egg and chives to start, followed by roast Waterford Farm beef with all the trimmings. There’s yuzu posset with white chocolate crumb and raspberry sorbet for dessert if you’ve got room.
Lord Crewe Arms
The Square, Blanchland DH8 9SP
01434 677100
lordcrewearmsblanchland.co.uk
Just a short (and scenic) drive from Derwent Reservoir, High Force and Hadrian’s Wall Country, this hugely popular and historic inn in the pretty village of Blanchland is a destination in its own right. Chef Paul Johnson has curated an eclectic mix of refined dishes and hearty comfort food, all served in the Lord Crewe’s ancient spaces, from the Bishop’s Dining Room down to the Crypt Bar, and outside in the sheltered walled garden.
Queen’s Head Hotel
6 Sandgate, Berwick TD15 1EP
01289 307852
grhotels.co.uk
Open fires and cosy interiors add to the charm of this traditional hotel restaurant. The food here is well thought of, and the menu includes popular choices such as pan-seared scallops, risotto, burgers, steaks and platters.
The Lister Arms
Malham, Skipton BD23 4DB
01729 830444
listerarms.co.uk
A 17th-century coaching inn serving proper Yorkshire portions. The sharing platters are the perfect way to enjoy food – choose from meat, meat-free or fish boards. Dine in the Rosette-awarded restaurant with its low beams and original fireplace and tuck into the Lister Arms classics – or if you’re with your four-legged friends, eat in the bar area where you can settle down in front of the fire.
The Derwent Arms
Edmundbyers, Consett DH8 9NL
01207 255545
derwent-arms.co.uk
Bordering both County Durham and Northumberland, this classic country pub sits amongst stunning countryside. From hearty breakfasts to expertly-made dinner classics and Sunday lunches with all the trimmings, The Derwent Arms focus on seasonal and local produce, and there are plenty of local ales to wash it all down with.
The Beehive
Hartley Lane, Earsdon, Whitley Bay NE25 0SZ
0191 252 9352
beehiveearsdon.co.uk
This Grade II-listed characterful country pub not far from Whitley Bay prides itself on its traditional ales, laid-back Sunday lunches. Family friendly, there’s a good children’s menu here, and it even has a pub dog menu too. It will be serving its new Christmas menu from 27th November, throughout December except on Sundays.
Chadwicks Inn
High Lane, Maltby TS8 0BG
01642 590300
chadwicksinnmaltby.co.uk
A traditional country pub with an award-winning restaurant, Chadwicks Inn retains its 19th century features, such as the stone fireplace and exposed beams. The food is beautifully prepared and locally sourced – we recommend the chalk stream trout with wild garlic hollandaise, hispi cabbage and Charlotte potatoes.
The Collingwood Arms
Main Street, Cornhill-on-Tweed TD12 4UH
01890 882424
collingwoodarms.com
With views over the river Tweed, this friendly country inn has a great reputation for good food. Popular with a mix of visitor and locals, you can dine in the informal bar area, or choose the more formal restaurant – the same carefully-prepared dishes are served in both. Many of the ingredients used are grown in the inn’s own garden, or are sourced locally.
