The top 10 quirkiest pubs in England and Wales
I love a pub (which Brit doesn’t?). However, there is nothing that gets me quite as excited about visiting a pub as the décor. The older, creepier or wackier the place looks the more I love it! So here’s a list of the top 10 quirkiest pubs in England and Wales I’ve come across on my travels.
House of the Trembling Madness, York
The name alone would be enough to make it onto this list! Sat above an unassuming bottle shop, it’s small but full of character. The theme is medieval. Exposed beams, chandeliers and many, many animal heads. The atmosphere is great too, and you’re encouraged to share your table with strangers.
The Royal Standard of England, Forty Green
A similar vibe to the above, but this one has the history to match. Reportedly England’s oldest pub, it dates back to around 1100. It feels like stepping back in time here, and is always popular with locals and tourists.
Admiral Benbow, Penzance
Probably my favourite pub in Cornwall. This Penzance pub is filled wall to wall and floor to ceiling with maritime artefacts such as cannons, figureheads, etc, rescued from shipwrecks washed up over the last 400 years. The Captains Cabin restaurant in the back is a stunning recreation of a ship’s deck, with a stern plate from a Portugese Man O’ War (although the owner actually suspects it is from a Scottish naval ship). There is also a tie to Treasure Island. Robert Lewis Stephenson named his fictional pub after visiting this one, then an illegal establishment and smuggling den.
Ye Olde Cheshire Cheese, London
To no one’s surprise there are a lot of historical pubs in London. This one, rebuilt immediately after the Fire of London in 1666, is one of the best. Located on Fleet Street with an unassuming entrance down an alleyway, it’s actually quite big inside, with several floors of cellars below. They were reportedly built by 13th century monks for a monastery that occupied this site. Now it makes for an atmospheric drinking den, and has a number of literary connections associated with it, from Charles Dickens to Samuel Johnson to Mark Twain.
Skirrid Inn, Abergavenny
The Skirrid Mountain Inn not only claims to be the oldest pub in Wales, but also the most haunted. You can certainly see why. The upstairs rooms were reportedly used as a courthouse and those found guilty were hanged right off the staircase! There is even a noose hanging from the winding staircase beam. Staff are always happy to talk about the spooky goings on here.
Highwayman Inn, Dartmoor
A truly bizarre and wonderful pub on the edge of Dartmoor National Park. Shaped like a shoe (stay with me here) on the outside and boasting several themed rooms inside, it’s one of those places where you’ll spend hours exploring. There is a ship deck restaurant featuring a door from the wrecked whaling vessel The Diana, and plenty of nooks and crannies and ‘secret’ passageways to get lost in. It’s known as the ‘most unusual pub in Britain’ for a reason.
The Old Bank of England, London
Back in London, back on Fleet Street, and in fact just a few doors down from the previously mentioned Ye Olde Cheshire Cheese, lies The Old Bank of England. This is a beautiful pub, with a balcony floor overlooking the sumptuous bar. It was built in 1886 and used by the bank until 1975, reportedly even storing the Crown Jewels in its vaults for some time. Those same vaults now store the beer they sell! P.S. Don’t miss the double decker bus in the courtyard!
Ye Olde Trip to Jerusalem, Nottingham
I first came across this pub on a trip to Nottingham aged 8. At the time I was obsessed with Robin Hood but even then I was inspired by the architecture and old world vibe of this place. Another claimant of the Oldest Pub in England title, it likely dates back to 1189. The Trip, as it’s affectionately known, leans against Castle Rock and is attached to several caves below Nottingham Castle.
Pen Y Gwryd Hotel, Gwynedd
In the heart of Snowdonia lies this mountaineering pub and hotel. Sir Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay stayed here while training for Everest in 1953. Since then they’ve hosted many famous and non famous mountain climbers, and the pubs decor is a testament to that. Walking boots hang from the ceiling and there’s a host of memorabilia across its rooms, including photographs and climbing equipment. The drinks menu is limited, but the surroundings are extraordinary. If you’d like to spend the night here, rooms start at £112 for 2 guests and can booked here.
The Blackfriar, London
Built on the site of a former Dominican Friary, the walls of this curiously shaped pub are covered in mosaics, relics and sculptures all depicting Jolly Friars (and Yoda?). Spend some time reading the tongue in cheek sayings across the walls. It’s a beautiful pub and has a lot of private corners should you wish for a more intimate drink. It’s truly on of my favourites in London.
These are my personal top 10 quirkiest pubs in England and Wales. If you’ve come across any others which belong on this list, let me know! Thirsty for more? Check out this post on my favourites pubs in Dartmoor.
