Perfect Pubs, Inns and Restaurants with Rooms
Here are our top picks of cosy country pubs with rooms, and lavish inns with fine-dining restaurants
THE PICKLED PHEASANT
In brief: A gastropub in the peaceful surroundings of Holmfirth.
Our highlight: The dog-friendly apartment with its own entrance at the side of the pub, with a lovely window seat and log burner.
Insider guide: Just a few miles from the centre of Holmfirth, The Pickled Pheasant at Holmbridge is a traditional real ale pub with a cosy restaurant and a perfect beer garden for when the weather allows. Each of the four bedrooms has been individually designed retaining many original features, whilst also adding luxuries such as king-sized Hypnos beds with white Egyptian cotton bedding. The food here is all prepared with locally sourced, fresh and seasonal ingredients so guests can enjoy a nice mix of traditional pub favourites alongside more creative dishes, expertly prepared by the chef. If a cold pint, a real ale or a glass of wine is what you want, The Pickled Pheasant’s cosy and warming bar with two open fireplaces is the place to retreat to.
Woodhead Road, West Yorkshire HD9 2NQ
01484 687652
thepickledpheasant.com
KIRKSTILE INN
In brief: A 17th century inn located in the heart of the Lake District National Park.
Our highlight: At the bar you’ll find several of their own Loweswater brewed-beers, perfect to enjoy after a day exploring the area.
Insider guide: Led by head chef Paul Williamson and his talented kitchen team, the Kirkstile Inn serves homely, traditional dishes with the emphasis on local suppliers and ingredients. The inn’s bar is renowned for its fantastic atmosphere, and inside the low-beamed rooms you can pull up a chair beside the cosy fire and enjoy a range of carefully-selected gins, wines, whiskeys or real ales before heading back to your room for a restful night’s sleep. All 11 bedrooms (seven of which are in the main inn) have been recently refurbished and both the four poster bedroom and the premier external suite, which also has its own private terrace, have spectacular views of Mellbreak Fell.
Loweswater, Cumbria CA13 0RU
01900 85219
kirkstile.com
BLACK BULL SEDBERGH
In brief: A 17th century coaching inn which has undergone a renaissance over the past few years.
Our highlight: The outside Stables & Meadow serving a separate street food menu, where food is cooked over wood and charcoal fires.
Insider guide: In the middle of the pretty Cumbrian town of Sedbergh, a facelift has left this pub with a clever mix of traditional and contemporary interiors with wooden floors, beamed ceilings and wood-burning stoves. The rooms are also a mix of rustic and uncluttered Scandi style, and the bathrooms are sleek with slate floors and white tiling. Back down in the bar and restaurant, the Asian-inspired menu showcases the real talent in the kitchen and keeps guests and locals coming back for more. Dogs are more than welcome here, with the exception of the restaurant.
44 Main Street, Sedbergh LA10 5BL
015396 20264
theblackbullsedbergh.co.uk
THE TIMBLE INN
In brief: An award-winning restaurant with luxury B&B rooms.
Our highlight: This inn is perfect for walkers. Nidderdale Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and the Yorkshire Dales are both right on your doorstep.
Insider guide: Nestled in the stunning Washburn Valley near Nidderdale, this Grade II-listed 18th century coaching inn makes the perfect base for a cosy getaway. No expense has been spared in the nine casually elegant bedrooms which come complete with feather duvets and pillows, Egyptian cotton towels and local eco-friendly toiletries. The restaurant is a real winner here too, with a two AA Rosette menu prepared by classically trained head chef Jamie Cann and his team, which includes dishes such as roast harissa spiced lamb fillet, roast Yorkshire duck breast, or ricotta, spinach and fig tart, all accompanied by the perfect wine from The Timble Inn’s extensive wine list.
Timble, North Yorkshire LS21 2NN
01943 880530
thetimbleinn.co.uk
THE ALICE HAWTHORN INN
In brief: A cosy gastro pub with 12 beautiful bedrooms.
Our highlight: The beer garden is the perfect spot for a cold pint on a sunny day.
Insider guide: Off the beaten track, in the heart of a historic North Yorkshire village, you’ll find the charming Alice Hawthorn. With a nod to their agricultural heritage, the garden rooms are all constructed from home grown Douglas fir and finished inside and out with timber, whilst above the Grade II-listed pub, four rooms have been decorated with calming colour palettes and all feature exposed beams. There’s a great bar and cosy dining room where chef John Topham serves up some truly delectable dishes.
The Green, Nun Monkton, York YO26 8EW
01423 330303
thealicehawthorn.com
FREEMASONS AT WISWELL
In brief: A gastronomic dining experience in a stylish pub with rooms.
Our highlight: The food created by chef patron Steven Smith.
Insider guide: In the quaint Ribble Valley village of Wiswell you’ll find this pub with rooms which offers a slice of country refinement with a twist of contemporary creativity and flair. The team behind Freemasons at Wiswell have created eight bedrooms, all with ensuites and luxury touches. Before dinner, guests can enjoy a traditional ale chosen from the excellent selection of independent breweries stocked here, or a glass of wine from the superb cellar with more than 250 wines from around the world. As for the food, Steven Smith and his team have created a unique and diverse menu which highlights local and seasonal ingredients, and the Taste of Freemasons tasting menu is a must for any foodie’s bucket list.
8 Vicarage Fold, Wiswell, Lancashire BB7 9DF
01254 822218
freemasonsatwiswell.com
THE FOX HALL INN
In brief: A beautiful countryside inn wth a traditional pub and a cosy and comfortable dining experience.
Our highlight: The patio with beautiful views of the Yorkshire Dales.
Insider guide: In a prime location in the Dales, The Fox Hall Inn has recently undergone an extensive refurbishment after a change of ownership. Without losing the traditional country pub feel, guests can enjoy delicious, freshly cooked dishes in one of the pub’s dining areas, before returning to one of eleven ensuite bedrooms fitted with free-standing baths or waterfall showers.
East Layton, Richmond, North Yorkshire DL11 7PW
01325 718303
foxhallinn.co.uk
THE BONNIE BADGER
In brief: A gastro-pub with rooms, with Tom Kitchin in the kitchen.
Our highlight: Tom Kitchin in the kitchen (and the beach five minutes’ walk away).
Insider guide: Scandi style meets Scottish hospitality here. The traditional outside belies the sleek, sophisticated interiors which are designed to impress, as are the excellent staff who greet you by name. Start your stay with a delightful afternoon tea served with freshly baked scones, clotted cream and homemade jam. Rooms are in the main house, as well as two cottages adjacent to the carefully-landscaped courtyard and garden. The food, as you would imagine, is cleverly comforting and the breakfast itself worth staying for, and the Bonnie Badger is child and dog friendly too.
Main Street, Gullane EH31 2AB
01620 621111
bonniebadger.com
THE ELLERBY COUNTRY INN
In brief: An award-winning, four-star country inn with 10 ensuite bedrooms.
Our highlight: Runswick Bay and Staithes are on your doorstep.
Insider guide: Just eight miles outside Whitby, The Ellerby Country Inn is an ideal base for anyone looking to explore the Yorkshire coast. Settle into the comfort of your bedroom before heading down to the restaurant. If you’re staying over the weekend, we recommend trying The Ellerby’s Sunday lunch served with homemade Yorkshire puddings and gravy.
12–14 Ryeland Lane, Ellerby, Whitby TS13 5LP
01947 840342
ellerbyhotel.co.uk
THE FIFE ARMS
In brief: A wildly romantic hotel – part shooting lodge, part contemporary art gallery – in the shadow of the Cairngorms.
Our highlight: Nothing is too much trouble here, from arranging activities to ensuring all your kit is drying nicely in the Boot Room.
Insider guide: The amazing juxtaposition of traditional Scottish decor and sumptuous antiques mixed with surprisingly modern touches make this place so unique. It’s a warm, welcoming place with perfect service, lots of luxurious touches (think tweed-covered hotties in your bed when it’s nippy), a spa, beautiful bedrooms and a jolly bar (The Flying Stag) which is where you’ll find some pub classics which have had an upgrade. Head to the dark and dramatic Clunie Dining Room for dinner where you’ll find an astonishing mural by Guillermo Kuitca on the walls, which takes on a whole new hue over breakfast.
Mar Road, Braemar, Aberdeenshire AB35 5YN
01339 720200
thefifearms.com
THE SHIP INN
In brief: A lively pub with rooms overlooking Elie’s beautiful beach and bay.
Our highlight: The cosy bar when it’s cold and the beachside beer garden when it’s not.
Insider guide: There are six bedrooms (four with sea views), a great restaurant, a beach bar, the aforementioned beer garden and a lively atmosphere year-round at this family-friendly, beachside pub. It’s smart enough but relaxed, in a Nantucket-meets-Scotland way, with touches of tartan mixed with maritime memorabilia. Inside the restaurant serves generous portions of good pub grub (and starts early so kids can get to bed). Rooms are smart and spacious and extra beds can be arranged in a few of the rooms for smaller children. They love dogs here too, who wouldn’t miss this trip for the world we’re sure.
The Toft, Elie, Fife KY9 1DT
01333 330246
shipinn.scot
HOLLY BUSH INN
In brief: A historic inn in the heart of Northumberland National Park.
Our highlight: The warm and cosy bar with log fires and a fantastic atmosphere.
Insider guide: In the heart of Northumberland’s National Park, this old drovers’ inn dates back more than 300 years and the welcoming log fires and good company in the bar will make you feel right at home. There are a number of cosy ensuite bedrooms as well as a cottage adjoining to the pub which is perfect for guests who want a quieter stay. The restaurant serves real ale and proper home-cooked food and in the morning, you can indulge in a Border Breakfast.
Greenhaugh, near Kielder, Northumberland NE48 1PW
01434 240391
hollybushinn.net
THE THREE ACRES INN
In brief: A charming country inn and restaurant in beautiful Pennine countryside.
Our highlight: The cottage garden view from some of the bedrooms.
Insider guide: The Three Acres Inn has been owned by the Truelove family for more than 50 years and they offer a warm Yorkshire welcome to every guest who walks through the door. After a home cooked meal in the restaurant, head back to your bedroom for a comfortable night in the traditional inn, all with private bathrooms and complimentary toiletries.
Roydhouse, Shelley, near Huddersfield HD8 8LR
01484 602606
3acres.com
THE WHITTLING HOUSE
In brief: A seaside restaurant with 10 characterful bedrooms.
Our highlight: It’s just 400 yards from Alnmouth Beach.
Insider guide: Combining comfortable, coastal-inspired interiors with roaring fires which welcome you back into the warmth after a stroll on the golden sandy beach, The Whittling House is the perfect coastal retreat. The stylish interiors ensure a homely feel, whilst the team of chefs in the restaurant create a range of flavoursome dishes using locally-sourced Northumbrian ingredients.
24–25 Northumberland Street, Alnmouth NE66 2RA
01665 463001
thewhittlinghouse.co.uk
L’ENCLUME
In brief: A three Michelin-starred restaurant with a number of distinctive rooms.
Our highlight: The (16) rooms are lovely but the food is what pulls people here.
Insider guide: The food is hugely innovative, and made even more stunning by the iconic restaurant’s riverside location. Enjoy the obligatory tasting menu created from local, seasonal produce and presided over by Simon Rogan, then wander back to your sleek and stylish room in the village to recover.
Cavendish Street, Cartmel LA11 6QA
01539 536362
lenclume.co.uk
BALLINTAGGART FARM
In brief: A secret foodie gem hidden in Highland Perthshire.
Our highlight: The fabulous food takes centre stage here.
Insider guide: Smartly turned-out rustic refinery, with two bedrooms in the converted steading and two in nearby East End Cottage, and eight in the Grandtully Hotel. What sets Ballintaggart apart is its enthusiasm for great local artisan producers – owners Chris and Rachel set up Edinburgh’s first supper club, Charlie and Evelyn’s Table, and they’ve brought their flair for brilliant food to these converted farm buildings. They source as many ingredients as possible from their kitchen garden, forage in nearby hedgerows, fields and woodlands, and run cookery classes on site too.
Grandtully, Perthshire PH9 0PX
01887 447000
ballintaggart.com
CUCKOO BROW INN
In brief: A traditional B&B with a passion for local produce and Lake District hospitality.
Our highlight: There is plenty to see and do – from Beatrix Potter’s Hill Top Farm to walking the Lake District fells.
Insider guide: At the top of the hill between Lake Windermere and Hawkshead Village, and surrounded by beautiful scenery, the classic yet contemporary Cuckoo Brow Inn has 14 newly renovated ensuite bedrooms for families, walkers and dogs to make themselves at home in. Back down in the bar and restaurant, the hearty and wholesome dishes showcase seasonal ingredients as well as local Lake District producers, whilst the bar area is perfect for relaxing. We recommend pulling up a chair beside the central log burning stove with a pint of real, locallybrewed ale. The Stables are also open to guests who want to enjoy the historical aspect of the inn. The cosy stalls and wooden beams offer a little haven for guests wanting a quiet coffee, or families wanting to enjoy a games night.
Far Sawrey, Ambleside, Cumbria LA22 0LQ
01539 443425
cuckoobrow.co.uk
THE BLACK SWAN
In brief: A beautiful Victorian inn with an award-winning restaurant and well-stocked bar which sits between three Northern counties.
Our highlight: There are lots of little nooks to cosy up in – from the dog-friendly yurts to the relaxing and comforting lounge.
Insider guide: Nestled between the North Yorkshire Moors, the Lake District and Cumbria, The Black Swan boasts 16 ensuite bedrooms with traditional and individually designed interiors. There are also three brand new, fully-furnished wooden yurts which give glamping a whole new meaning – they cater up to four guests as well as the dogs. Back at the restaurant the award-winning kitchen team, overseen by Scott Fairweather, showcase locally-inspired and seasonal ingredients with their flavourful dishes, and if you’re staying over the weekend the signature Sunday roast beef is a must-try. In the bar and lounge, there’s a range of local ales, spirits and seasonal creations to suit every taste.
Ravenstonedale, Kirkby Stephen, Cumbria CA17 4NG
01539 623204
blackswanhotel.com
WINTERINGHAM FIELDS
In brief: North Lincolnshire’s only Michelin-starred restaurant, with plenty of bedrooms too.
Our highlight: The dishes created by Colin McGurran and his team of masterful chefs.
Insider guide: In the 16th century Main House guests can stay in the sumptuously furnished, oak-beamed ensuite bedrooms, whilst The Courtyard rooms offer spacious private suites, and the Dovecotes, just a two-minute walk from the restaurant, are the perfect hideaway for a restful and relaxing break. However, the food is the real highlight at Winteringham Fields, and chef patron Colin McGurran uses a farm-to-fork approach, taking every opportunity to add flavour to each dish. The eight-course tasting menu alongside the optional wine pairing is a must-try for any self-respecting foodie.
1 Silver Street, Winteringham, North Lincolnshire DN15 9ND
01724 733096
winteringhamfields.co.uk
THE MORTAL MAN
In brief: A resoundingly English inn and restaurant buried amongst the Lakeland mountains.
Our highlight: The welcoming and cosy bar with its log fire, board games and family-friendly atmosphere.
Insider guide: Aside from ensuite bathrooms and comfortable beds that help give you a wonderful night’s sleep and set you up for a full day of fell walking, the inn’s beer garden offers a different kind of comfort and warmth. Sit here all day chatting if you fancy it – the heavenly mountain scenery and peaceful atmosphere aren’t going anywhere.
Troutbeck, Cumbria LA23 1PL
015394 33193
themortalman.co.uk
THE GEORGE AND DRAGON
In brief: A country estate inn with a restaurant, bar and bedrooms.
Our highlight: The food gives a whole new meaning to ‘locally sourced’, much of it having been reared on a nearby sister estate.
Insider guide: The 11 bedrooms at The George and Dragon have been individually designed, but you can find furniture and paintings from the Lowther family collection in all. What they also have in common are comfortable beds and linens. If the weather is fine, make use of the courtyard and garden where chunky weathered tables sit against the front of the building, creating the perfect sun trap.
Clifton, near Penrith CA10 2ER
01768 865381
georgeanddragonclifton.co.uk
THE CARTFORD INN
In brief: A multi-award winning pub, restaurant and boutique hotel in the heart of rural Lancashire.
Our highlight: The vast range of comfy accommodation available, including a penthouse with endless views over the fells.
Insider guide: Originally a 17th century coaching inn located at the historic crossing of the River Wyre, The Cartford Inn boasts enviable views of the surrounding Fylde countryside, looking across to the quietly beautiful Bowland fells. The accommodation here is what sets The Cartford Inn apart from the rest – choose one of the four beautifully decorated cosy attic bedrooms, the luxurious ground floor or executive rooms, or the spacious penthouse which has its own private rooftop terrace, perfect to sit and watch the sunrise over the fells. Guests can also choose to stay in either of the the cabins located at the end of the property which have amazing views of the serpentine river. If you can (eventually) pull yourself away from your bedroom, the restaurant – led by chef Chris Bury – offers seafood from Fleetwood docks, meat from nearby farms and seasonal, locally shot game, alongside innovative flavours which bring some of Britain’s favourite dishes to life. You can also expect to find a discernible French influence in some of the dishes here as Chris and his team showcase some of the region’s best produce.
Cartford Lane, Little Eccleston, Lancashire PR3 0YP
01995 670166
thecartfordinn.co.uk
HOUSE OF JÖRO
In brief: A four bedroom hotel which is just a stone’s throw away from the award-winning restaurant, JÖRO.
Our highlight: The chef’s table which hosts private dining events with high-profile guest chefs once a month.
Insider guide: Now open for reservations, House of JÖRO is a new boutique hotel with four beautifully designed rooms as well as a 10-seater chef’s table for private dining events. Just a stone’s throw away from the flagship restaurant, it provides far-flung visitors a beautiful space to spend a foodie staycation in the heart of the city. However, the highlight here is of course the food. Choose between a five-, eight-, or 10-course tasting menu which combines modern British, new Nordic and Asian cuisines. To give you a taste of what to expect, dishes can include fermented Mayan Gold potato with smoked herring roe and Highland wagyu knuckle with wasabi mustard and watercress. The drinks menu here has been built around the flavours used and the optional pairing menu complements the dishes perfectly. After a spectacular evening meal, often breakfast can be a disappointment, but not at JÖRO – a hamper of freshly baked bread, cheeses and cured meats is delivered straight to your door.
1–3 Palatine Gardens, 40 Malinda Street, Sheffield S3 7EJ
0114 299 1539
jororestaurant.co.uk
PLATO’S
In brief: A five-star boutique bar and restaurant with rooms, and a self-catering loft apartment.
Our highlight: The comfy sofas by the cosy wood-burning stove, and the wonderful tea and coffee supplied from Atkinson’s of Lancaster.
Insider guide: With Egyptian cotton bedlinen and complimentary toiletries, it’s all about the little touches at this stylish outpost in Kirkby Lonsdale. There are eight luxury bedrooms with huge beds, and sumptuous drench showers. The award-winning restaurant is renowned for its great food and atmosphere, and they’re proud to boast that all the food served is locally sourced within a 50-mile radius of Plato’s.
2 Mill Brow, Kirkby Lonsdale LA6 2AT
01524 274180
platoskirkbylonsdale.co.uk
THE INN AT WHITEWELL
In brief: A traditional inn with a reputation for seriously good food.
Our highlight: There is plenty of room at this inn, with 26 bedrooms of various sizes available to guests.
Insider guide: Each of the bedrooms has been decorated with traditional furniture and some include beautifully restored Victorian cabinet baths, whilst others have open fires – perfect to welcome you back in after a day’s walking. Once you’re able to pull yourself away from your room, enjoy supper overseen by head chef Jamie Cadman and his sous chefs Gemma Taylor and James Whaites. Using fresh, local produce and seasonal ingredients, as well as their own breads, jams, chutneys, puddings and granolas, the team at The Inn at Whitewell know just what they’re doing in the kitchen and guests return time and again to this award-winning inn.
Forest of Bowland, near Clitheroe, Lancashire, BB7 3AT
01200 448222
innatwhitewell.com
