The best pubs in England, according to you

The Telegraph’s guide to the 500 Best Pubs in England prompted a flurry of responses from readers – clearly opinions are strong when it comes to your favourite traditional venues. We’ve pored over the hundreds of comments beneath the guide to highlight some of the pubs you recommended.

The pubs you love from our selection

In general, there was plenty of support for the pubs on our list, each chosen by guru Will Hawkes for “their charming character, welcoming staff, rich history and – of course – award-winning beer”.

Of The Strugglers Inn, Lincoln, D Richardson wrote: “Unexpectedly finding an outstanding pub is one of the truly great experiences. One such example was walking into The Strugglers when looking for a pint in a ‘proper pub’ before going on for a meal. The exterior was inauspicious, but walking into the main bar, I immediately knew that I had struck gold. I ordered a pint of mild and wandered through to the snug. Within five minutes I was chatting with a group of locals. It was such a profoundly wonderful experience, I said to them that it was one of the occasions that proved God exists. I virtually had to be dragged out to go to dinner.”

The Strugglers Inn, Lincoln

The discovery of an unexpected treasure also inspired reader Joe Rice to comment: “Me and my brother were in Manchester recently searching for a drink after a Santana gig. Found The Circus Tavern – what a gem! A welcoming atmosphere and a great line-up of proper ales.”

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Meanwhile, John Moyes took the opportunity to shout about one of his locals: the Limeburners Arms in Nether Kellet, Lancashire. “I regularly visit and there is no doubt it is a little gem,” he said. “Wonderfully, it serves cask beer (usually just one) which is always well kept. It is owned and run by one man, Joe Moore, who is a full-time sheep farmer and he opens the pub when he is not working. He is well supported by his regulars and this was clearly demonstrated not so long ago when he spent some time in hospital. During that time, a small group of people ensured it remained open on a voluntary basis.”

The Limburners Arms: a little gem - Asadour Guzelian

David Bissett was another reader to express approval for our list: “Great to see so many good pubs,” he writes. “I’ve just come back from one of these, The Coach and Horses at Weatheroak Hill, Worcestershire. The own-brewed IPA (Icknield Pale Ale) is very good, as is the Holdens Golden Glow they have on. The common denominator of all these pubs seems to be they are either independent free houses or not part of any of the large ‘PLC’ faceless chains – long may they continue, they are the fabric of the country.”

Maxwell Sawyer’s affection for one of our 500 pubs goes back a very long way. He explained: “When my parents moved to Stamford from London in 1953, our first home was the small tied cottage at the right-hand end of the Jolly Brewer (it is now part of the pub), then called The Brewery Inn – kitchen and bathroom on the ground floor, one bedroom on the first floor and one (mine) on the top floor. My father was a drayman for Melbourn Brothers (the local brewers), hence the cottage, and my mother played the piano in the pub during the evenings.”

What makes the perfect pub?

Mr Bissett believes independent ownership is key, and other readers shared their thoughts on what makes the perfect pub.

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“Great ale and staff, and their ability to look after that ale,” said Anthony Booty. “No TV screens or fruit machines. Personally I hate music pumped through speakers at a volume that makes everyone speak louder. I miss bar stools in many pubs I have visited since the pandemic. In a good pub, regulars all have nicknames as no-one remembers their proper names. Nice to have customers who are chatty but not overly chatty. In winter, a nice fire is essential, even if it’s a log-burner.”

Emma Dixon added: “I want different things depending on the season: in winter I want a fire or a burner at the very least. Dim lighting and an overall feeling of ‘hygge’ as well as decent beer and wine. In summer I want an agreeable beer garden – ideally with a view – and a Provençal rosé by the glass.”

The price charged for a pint is also critical, according to readers. “I paid a shade under £7 for a Guinness in my local last week,” said one. “I won’t be going back.” Thomas K added: “The perfect pub is my local, which sells real hand-pulled ale at £3.80 a pint. Yes, £3.80 a pint!”

The pubs you think should have been included

Many readers took the opportunity to recommend pubs they felt deserved inclusion, and they weren’t all independent businesses. “Didn’t see many ’Spoons’ on here,” said John Smith, one of several to express his backing for the budget pub chain.

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Mark Turvey recommended The Folly at Napton in Warwickshire. “The ‘history’ is to some extent manufactured, as it was not always a pub,” he admitted, “but the decor, the proper pub atmosphere and the welcome extended to locals and visitors alike make this a canalside gem.”

The Folly at Napton: a canalside gem - Sheila Halsall/Alamy Stock Photo

Richard Lotherington praised The Halzephron Inn near Gunwalloe, Cornwall, for its “excellent food, well-kept beers and the best view in the country, over Mounts Bay”.

Stephen Gibbs had yet another Liverpool-based pub to add to our pick of 10. “Well done on your Liverpool choices, a very fair selection I think,” he said. “But please note The Grapes pub on Roscoe Street in Liverpool city centre is my absolute favourite.”

Alison Durham’s favourite? “The Princess Louise on Holborn… or The Crown in Belfast.”

The Princess Louise: elegant yet inviting - Tim E White/Alamy Stock Photo

Rob Trevor suggested an extra pub in West Yorkshire, to go with our selection of 12. “The Three Pigeons in Halifax is an absolute gem,” he said, “with a faithfully restored 1930s interior, traditional cask ales from Osset brewery, and warm welcoming staff. Perfect for a visit to the Piece Hall or Halifax Town football club!”

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Paul Thomas directed fellow readers to The Plough & Harrow in Litlington, East Sussex. “It has a great garden and the food is fantastic. It’s quintessential pubbing in the heart of the cosy green hills of the South Downs.”

The Three Pigeons in Halifax boasts a wooden fire place for the winter months - Alamy Stock Photo/Kevin Walsh

R Lowth added: “Can’t believe The Old Crown in Hesket Newmarket [Cumbria] is not on the list! The first community-owned pub in Britain with a great selection of cask beers from the brewery next door.”

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