Queen’s Park has long boasted a clutch of proper locals, but few carry the fond memories and weekend clatter of The Salusbury. Now reopened under the stewardship of Gareth Cooper, Alex Payne, and Jon Drape, the pub has been reimagined with a deft blend of restaurant polish, bar energy, and unpretentious pub soul.
The Victoria, Oxshott
On the edge of Oxshott village, in a pretty village setting close to the Surrey Hills, The Victoria is a welcoming country pub that combines traditional charm with a modern touch. Set against a backdrop of rolling countryside, it offers a relaxed atmosphere, thoughtfully prepared food and a well-curated selection of drinks.
The George and Dragon Marlow
The George & Dragon is part of the Heartwood Collection group founded by chef Raymond Blanc. The group also manages Brasserie Blanc restaurants, which bodes well for dinner! With 32 pubs and seven pubs with rooms, it’s a group that is expanding fast, its latest opening being The George & Dragon in Bouji Marlow, Buckinghamshire.
The Newman Arms – Traditional Pub in Fitzrovia
Tucked away on a quiet corner of Fitzrovia, The Newman Arms is more than just another London pub – it’s a slice of the city’s history. With roots stretching back to 1730, this pint-sized spot blends old-world charm with a modern flair. Whether you’re popping in for one of their legendary pies or simply soaking in the atmosphere with a pint in hand, The Newman Arms offers a refreshingly authentic escape from the city’s sleeker watering holes.
A culinary visit to the Ribble Valley
The Three Fishes: A Historic Gastropub in the Heart of Ribble Valley The Three Fishes, a sixteenth-century historic coach house, is located in the village of Mitton in the beautiful Ribble Valley, Lancashire. This pub and restaurant, named in the top fifty gastropubs, has been lovingly renovated by the renowned chef Nigel Haworth, formerly of […]
The White Hart in Lewes
With The White Hart’s history, central location, lovely rooms and reasonably priced menu, why would you want to stay anywhere else?
The Lighterman – King’s Cross – Sunday Roast
he Lighterman is a large airy place spread out over two floors. We were seated in the upper dining room with views of the canal and an opportunity for people watching, including the gleeful kids playing in the Granary Square water features.
The Black Horse – Thame
Service at the Black Horse is friendly and efficient. There’s a long, tempting menu of familiar gastropub favourites as well as more adventurous dishes. If you’re visiting the historic market town of Thame, you will be well fed here.
The Royal Forest, London’s Epping Forest Gem
With an elevated aspect, The Royal Forest, reopened in December 2024 by Heartwood Inns, was a diamond in the rough. Formerly a mundane Brewers Fayre, the 19th-century pub with rooms has been reinvented as an attractive mini-break destination. Here you can combine relaxed bathtub soaks with forest bathing, and it’s barely thirty-five minutes from Liverpool Street.
William IV Pub, Albury, Surrey
For Londoners, the magnetic pull of a proper country pub like the William IV is almost primal. There’s a deeply satisfying joy in stomping through fields and bridleways, getting a bit muddy, and then landing triumphantly in a postcard-perfect village hostelry. You know the type—a pub with flagstone floors, low-slung beams, roaring fires, and a snug where the locals huddle with their dogs, settling in for the long haul.