The Ropemaker
Emsworth, Hampshire
On the edge of the South Downs, this smartly renovated pub with contemporary rooms serves seasonal home-cooked food. After a bracing walk around the harbour, return to the comfy lounge with a real ale or G&T, or head to your room – décor nods to the coastal location and Victorian heritage, while smart bathrooms stock fragrant Bramley potions. Rooms for two from £89, sawdays.co.uk/theropemaker
The Penny Bun
Ilkley, West Yorkshire
This old stone inn has been carefully curated to induce a zen-like calm – which might be just the ticket after a busy festive period. You’ll eat well; food is sourced hyper-locally from the surrounding estate and menus change often. Expect pub classics and a few surprises. There are three snug areas to choose from, no TVs but wooden settles, books, Scrabble, chess and checkers. Rooms for two from £220 sawdays.co.uk/thepennybun
The Blind Bull
Buxton, Derbyshire
Come for the glorious Peak District and this rural independent pub, with roots in the 12th century, serene bedrooms and toothsome food. It’s a romantic, remote spot and if you come from the city you’ll be blown away. Bedrooms are in the old piggery and simple and spacious, with crisp white bedding, soft duck feathers and calming colours. Rooms for two from £120, sawdays.co.uk/theblindbull
The Gunton Arms
Norwich, Norfolk
A richly atmospheric elegance infuses this fire-warmed inn. There’s venison from the park, crab from Cromer, and walkers and dogs happy in the bar. Stay overnight for country-house charm with antiques, gorgeous fabrics and indulgent marble-tiled bathrooms. You’re treated to parkland views with deer herds from every window too. Rooms for two from £140, sawdays.co.uk/theguntonarms
The Bell at Ramsbury
Marlborough, Wiltshire
Part of the Ramsbury Estate, The Bell is a classy new-wave inn and one that showcases Ramsbury Estate produce. Come for Ramsbury beers, gin and vodka, kitchen garden fruit and veg, and seasonal game. Completing this pleasing picture are nine stunning bedrooms. Curl up fireside, or build up an appetite walking the estate. Rooms for two from £110, sawdays.co.uk/thebellatramsbury
The Ship Inn
Elie, Fife
Warm up with something mulled after a walk, sauna or even a dip (if you’re brave) at Elie Bay. Inside, contemporary rustic design mixes with roaring fires, the odd stone wall and sofas and armchairs scattered about. Dine on fish and seafood from local waters, and lamb and beef from nearby farms. Rooms for two from £100, sawdays.co.uk/theshipinnfife
The Farmhouse at Redcoats
Hitchin, Hertfordshire
Surrounded by peaceful countryside, this inn oozes 15th-century period charm. Sleep in the old farmhouse or more contemporary rooms in the original stables and coach house in the courtyard. The kitchen, champions a farm to fork ethos. Enjoy a glass of Nyetimber bubbles by the fire and let the friendly team look after you. Rooms for two from £125, sawdays.co.uk/farmhouseatredcoats
The Barrington Boar
Ilminster, Somerset
The Hamstone building dates to the 18th century and you are greeted by the whiff of log-burners. The restaurant menu is sourced from local farms but also foragers, brewers and cheesemongers living within a few miles. Bedrooms (one is dog-friendly) have been created out of an old skittle alley and come with big beds. Rooms for two from £135, sawdays.co.uk/thebarringtonboar
The Queen’s Arms
Sherborne, Somerset
Off the beaten track, in a tiny Somerset village on the border with Dorset is this old cider pub. It’s a whole lot smarter now, tastefully updated, yet still emits country warmth and character. Locals flock for the log fire in the bar and the gorgeous food – Cornish monkfish, home-made pork scratchings, local cheeses with membrillo. You can stay the night above the pub, the coach house which is dog-friendly, or in a self-catering bungalow. Rooms for two from £140, sawdays.co.uk/thequeensarmssomerset
The Falcon
Painswick, Gloucestershire
This is the sort of place you long for after a hearty winter’s walk. The atmosphere is warm, there are lots of places to sit comfortably and you’re looked after by cheerful staff. Browse the menu with a glass of Balfour wine or one of the local hand-pumped ales, and stay over in spacious bedrooms. Rooms for two from £80, sawdays.co.uk/thefalcon
The Three Hills
Bartlow, Cambridgeshire
This charming rural inn, opened in 1847, serves as the village’s only pub, hall, library and social hub. It offers locally sourced British food with a twist. Inside, a warm buzz welcomes walkers, cyclists, and families. Enjoy the roaring fire, dine in the Orangery, or relax in cosy bedrooms with wool throws and fresh flowers. Rooms for two from £100, sawdays.co.uk/thethreehills
The Cartford Inn
Preston, Lancashire
This award-winning inn – Sawday’s Pub of the Year in 2020 – charms with stylish interiors, superb food and friendly staff. Recent additions include a riverside deli and stunning suites on stilts, while the menu includes inventive dishes such as crab gnocchi and Ovaltine panna cotta. The bar’s roaring fire and art invite lingering, while the courtyard garden and views beckon outdoors. Elegant bedrooms feature luxe touches, and riverside walks complete the experience. Rooms for two from £170, sawdays.co.uk/thecartfordinn
The Felin Fach Griffin
Brecon, Powys
This quirky, colourful inn feels like a stylish friend’s home, with antique-filled bedrooms and vibrant art. The menu features local produce, including garden-grown vegetables, game and vegan options. Explore nearby hills, enjoy outdoor adventures or visit Hay-on-Wye for its famous bookshops. Rooms for two from £182, sawdays.co.uk/felinfachgriffin
The Horse Guards Inn
Petworth, Sussex
Inside Horse Guards Inn there is a series of rambling rooms furnished with quirky pieces, wonky beams and old pine tables in front of log fires. There is a real community feel and the menu champions local produce, including veg from their patch and good stuff foraged from the local hedgerows. Bread is baked daily and they sell eggs from their chickens. Rooms from £150, sawdays.co.uk/horseguardsinn
Howard Arms
Ilmington, Warwickshire
The Howard, on Ilmington Green near Stratford-upon-Avon, is a historic country inn with flagstones, beams and a crackling fire. Roses climb golden stone walls, and a garden awaits at the back. Dine on seasonal dishes such as duck breast or apple tarte tatin. Charming bedrooms blend old-world charm with modern comforts. Explore nearby Chipping Campden or the village’s 11th-century church. Doubles from £140, sawdays.co.uk/thehowardarms
The Royal Oak
Chipping Norton, Oxfordshire
This charming village pub blends tradition with thoughtful updates, offering log fires, local ales and a seasonal menu of classic dishes. Spacious, individually designed bedrooms feature vintage furniture, eco-friendly toiletries and dog-friendly options. Explore Cotswold walks or unwind with a paper in a cosy armchair. Family room for four from £150, sawdays.co.uk/theroyaloak
The Pear Tree Inn
Troston, Suffolk
The Bull has been the community hub of the village since the late 1800s and is now beautifully renovated. You will still find a cracking beamed bar and a cosy rear dining room, but it is now a destination for food, and has introduced delightful rooms in The Pear Tree Inn, a 1760s Suffolk farmer’s cottage just up the road – you just nip to the pub for food. Suites from £225, sawdays.co.uk/peartreeinn
The Dabbling Duck
Great Massingham, Norfolk
This inviting pub offers real ales, house gin and gourmet food. Stay in stylish rooms, some dog-friendly, or in the refurbished Barrack House with its own kitchen. Breakfast in The Library includes local sausages and smoked salmon. Peddars Way passes nearby, and Sandringham, Castle Rising, Houghton Hall and the bird-rich coast are all within a short drive. Doubles from £100, sawdays.co.uk/thedabblingduck
The Bell at Sapperton
Cirencester, Gloucestershire
This bustling inn features beamed dining rooms, blazing fires and a happy mix of locals and walkers. Seasonal menus showcase local produce such as Cirencester Park beef. Stylish rooms offer large beds and mini kitchens. Start your day with a hearty breakfast, then explore Cotswold walks or the canal towpath. Local ales and a wine wall await. Rooms for two from £120, sawdays.co.uk/thebellatsapperton
The Bell
Ticehurst, Sussex
This 16th-century inn charms with quirky, atmospheric interiors featuring log fires, beams and Harvey’s on tap. Relax in the snug or red-walled dining room, and stay in comfortable rooms above the pub or in a courtyard garden with lodges and fire pits. Savour the five-course tasting menu or family Sunday lunches. Explore Beachy Head wines or Camber Sands for a perfect countryside escape. Rooms for two from £145, sawdays.co.uk/thebell
The Durham Ox
York, North Yorkshire
This charming pub, perched atop the Grand Old Duke of York’s hill, is perfect for cosy winter retreats. Warm up by the log-burner in the private dining room, enjoy locally brewed gins with a board game, or relax in the outdoor Doghouse with a gutsy red by the wood-burning stoves. After brisk walks, unwind in country-style rooms or indulge in the luxurious Pool Villa or glamping-style Pool Cabin with spa pools. Rooms for two from £120, sawdays.co.uk/thedurhamox
The Lord Crewe Arms
Blanchland, Northumberland
The Lord Crewe Arms, once the abbot’s lodge, is a cosy haven With ancient flagstones, inglenook fireplaces and a vaulted crypt bar. Enjoy hearty seasonal dishes in atmospheric spaces. After a brisk walk, retreat to sumptuous bedrooms with stone walls, real fires and deep baths. Pair it all with fine wines and local ales. Rooms for two from £204, sawdays.co.uk/lordcrewearmsatblanchard
Masons Arms
Branscombe, Devon
Tucked away in rolling hills near a pebble beach, this pub is a winter retreat with cosy dining areas, a bar stocked with books and games and hearty breakfasts. Warm up by sampling St Austell beers or enjoy chef specials featuring fresh fish. Footpaths lead to coastal walks and village cream teas. Bedrooms, including suites with private terraces, offer snug comfort, with options for sea views or step-free access. Rooms for two from £120, sawdays.co.uk/masonsarmsdevon
The Duncombe Arms
Ellastone, Staffordshire
Enjoy stunning views of Dove Valley and the Derbyshire Hills then settle into armchairs with home-made biscuits, surrounded by original art. Warm yourself by the fire with a pint of Duncombe Ale or choose from 40 craft gins. Enjoy hearty breakfasts and seasonal meals, then explore the nearby Peak District’s winter landscapes. Rooms for two from £160, sawdays.co.uk/theduncombearms
The Stackpole Inn
Pembroke, Pembrokeshire
This charming village inn, a short drive from Barafundle Bay, is surrounded by stunning countryside. Enjoy cosy interiors with low wooden ceilings, exposed stone walls and a roaring wood-burner. Feast on hearty dishes such as rib of local beef, paired with Welsh ale from the slate bar. Stylish bedrooms with seaside hues and star-gazing windows ensure a fabulous stay. Rooms for two from £140, sawdays.co.uk/stackpoleinn
The Ferry House
Harty, Kent
This cosy inn offers a remote charm paired with exceptional dining. The restaurant showcases home-grown produce from its one-acre garden. The winter menus shine with lamb ribs, partridge and foraged delights. Enjoy riverside views, bracing countryside walks and warming drinks from local distilleries before retiring to snug, welcoming rooms for a restful night.
Rooms for two from £115, sawdays.co.uk/theferryhouse
The Bath Arms at Longleat
Warminster, Wiltshire
Nestled on the edge of the Longleat Estate, this charming pub serves hearty, locally sourced dishes featuring estate game. Cosy up with a glass from the extensive wine list or a local ale. With romantic attic rooms, dog-friendly options, and indulgent en suites, you might as well make a night of it. Rooms for two from £130, sawdays.co.uk/thebatharmsatlongleat
Rose & Crown
Barnard Castle, Durham
Dating to 1733, this inn is a perfect post-walk hideaway beside a Saxon church. Inside, roaring fires warm the old-school bar, where you can sip local ale and read the Teesdale Mercury. Enjoy hearty seasonal dishes featuring trout, game, and local produce. Stylish, cosy rooms promise restful nights, while nearby Barnard Castle and windswept moors offer bracing winter adventures. Rooms for two from £150, sawdays.co.uk/roseandcrown
High Corner Inn
Ringwood, Hampshire
This 17th-century inn has flagstone floors, crackling log fires, and cosy nooks to settle into with a hand-pumped Butcombe ale. Warm up with hearty pub classics, seasonal venison or wild boar. Snug lodge rooms offer crisp linens and indulgent bathrooms. Explore misty forest trails, spot wild ponies, and return for fireside drinks and a restful night in one of the excellent rooms. Rooms for two from £110, sawdays.co.uk/highcornerinn
The Punch Bowl
Kendal, Cumbria
This charming inn is perched above Windermere in a tranquil village far from the crowds. Inside, crackling wood-burners, cosy sofas, and rustic elegance create a warm welcome. Award-winning menus blend modern British and French flavours, paired with an extensive wine list. Bedrooms offer crisp linens and indulgent bathrooms. Work up an appetite on frosty walks with sweeping valley views. Rooms for two from £155, sawdays.co.uk/punchbowlinn
