“Fancy A Pint?” – Britain’s Best Pubs

There are few things as synonymous with English culture as the traditional pub, but it has been a tough few years for the good old British boozer. Estimates vary, but it has been claimed that as many as 50 pubs close in the UK every week, and there are numerous factors that are touted as the reason for this decline. However, there are still many establishments up and down the country that are thriving, and there is one key feature they all have in common – they are all absolutely fantastic!
Through delivering excellent customer service within beautiful buildings, these pubs are leading the fight back, so read on and discover why there is nothing like a trip down your local.

The Potting Shed – Crudwell, Wiltshire

There are many pubs all over the UK which have become more like restaurants, much to their detriment in many cases. The Potting Shed bucks this trend however, and offers a fantastic combination of food and drink to deliver a customer service experience that earned them the South West Pub of the Year award for 2012 from the Good Pub Guide.
It is rare to find a pub that does both meals and drinks so well, but the Potting Shed pulls it off. They offer a fantastic range of drinks, from real ales to wine, while they put real effort into ensuring their menu offers something really special. They champion seasonal and locally grown produce, and as such, they are updating their selection every month to reflect the very best food available for the time of year.
The Potting Shed gets it right in every department, from the quality of their decor to the friendliness of their staff, and it makes a perfect location for a family meal or a relaxing afternoon drink.

Square & Compass – Worth Matravers, Dorset

All over the country there are drinking establishments that are decades, even centuries old, but you won’t find one as unspoilt by modern design as the Square & Compass on the Dorset coast. Within the same family for over 100 years, this pub still retains the same traditions it has always had, untouched by more modern innovations. Without even a bar counter, you are served your beverage in a drinking corridor through two serving hatches, and they offer a brilliantly traditional range of drinks including malt whiskies, up to 13 ciders and a range of real ales – all tapped directly from the cask.
However, the appeal of this fine establishment doesn’t end on the inside, as it is situated on a stunning area of the Dorset coast that provides a breath-taking sea view from outside, while you are just a stone’s throw away from some delightful country walks.

Ye Old Mitre – Clerkenwell, London

If you think it is impossible to find a great pub within London you can think again, as Ye Old Mitre has everything you could wish for. Tucked away in the narrow streets of Ely Court just off Hatton Gardens, this pub was built over 350 years ago by the Bishop Goodrich, and stands by many old traditions and values. With no music, TV or noisy machines, it offers a tranquil or pleasantly busy atmosphere depending on what time of day you go in.
All pubs live and die by the quality of their beer, but at Ye Old Mitre they take an extra special interest, keeping a variety of unusual guest ales while putting on three beer festivals a year. For those feeling a little bit peckish, it is also renowned for its toasted sandwiches!
With household incomes not what they used to be, many people are now choosing to stay and drink at home. However, with the wealth of real quality pubs that are around the UK, you still can’t beat a drink down your local.

This guest blog was written by John Rooney on behalf of Eclipse Furniture, providers of quality restaurant and pub furniture.