Top 10 AF Festive Pub Lunches
Step into a world of festive cheer and savory delights with our top picks for the best 10 pubs to visit for a jolly holiday lunch! From snug corners adorned with twinkling lights to roaring fireplaces that warm both body and soul, these pubs offer more than just great food and drink. Picture hearty roasts, spiced mulled wine, and a welcoming ambiance that feels like a big, cozy hug. Whether you’re looking for a traditional British experience or a modern twist on festive flavors, these pubs are the perfect spots to gather with friends and family for a memorable and delicious celebration.
The Rat Inn at Anick, NE46 4LN
Originally a drovers inn conveniently situated just a few miles from the market town of Hexham, the Rat is an historic 18th century inn with a colourful past. Since Phil and Karen took over in 2007 the pub has also earned an enviable reputation for locally sourced, award-winning food.
The Dog at Wingham, CT3 1BB
Head Chef Robert Mantegna and his team will delight you with culinary expertise, hand selecting the finest local ingredients to serve spectacular seasonal dishes, which demonstrate the best of modern British food.
The Cornish Arms at Tavistock, PL19 8AN
The Cornish Arms is set in the heart of Tavistock at the foothills of Dartmoor in the rolling countryside of Devon. Found in the heart of this Stannary town, The Cornish Arms is so called as it was the last Coaching Inn before Cornwall. A great British pub serving good honest food and drink in warm welcoming surroundings.
The Sportsman at Whitstable, CT5 4BP
The first evidence of an inn at the site dates back to 1642 but the surrounding area of Seasalter was entered in the Domesday Book as belonging to the kitchens of Canterbury Cathedral. Even then it was an area of food production, farmed by the monks, supplying produce for the influx of religious tourists after the murder of Thomas Beckett in 1170. We took over The Sportsman in November 1999 with the intention of serving good food in relaxed and informal surroundings. We have held a Michelin star since 2008.
The Parkers Arms at Newton-In-Bowland, BB7 3DY
The Parker’s offers modern British food using the finest regional produce in our very own special way, an eclectic selected wine list, real ales and dining rooms with views.
We aim for a rustic yet contemporary decor, casual yet elegant, warm and welcoming in the true Lancashire way and as functional as a food pub should be. Very dog friendly in the bar areas.
The Pipe & Glass at Beverley, HU17 7PN
The former coaching inn stands on the site of the original gatehouse to Dalton Park on the beautiful Dalton Estate, with parts of the current building dating back to the 17th century. After an initial major refurbishment in 2006, James and Kate have updated the premises regularly, including an exclusive private dining suite and a kitchen garden, added as part of an ambitious garden redesign.The Pipe and Glass now offers nine luxury boutique rooms across two sites; The Garden Rooms, at the pub itself and The Old Lambing Yard, just a stones throw away in the village.
The Fox & Hounds at Royston, SG8 8HU
The 17th-century Grade II listed building has undergone a £1m refurbishment inside and out after being bought by two local childhood friends, Robin and Colin, in 2018. Teaming up with acclaimed chef, Brett Barnes, the trio have developed a unique food offering that fuses local produce and ingredients with traditional cooking methods including curing, smoking and grilling over wood and charcoal.
Shibden Mill Inn at Halifax, HX3 7UL
Having always been at the heart of Valley life, the 17th century Shibden Mill Inn was originally a corn and spinning mill, before being converted into a country pub in 1890. Today’s visitors are welcomed with warm hospitality to enjoy first class dining against an inviting backdrop of open fires, low beamed ceilings and a cosy bar. Eleven individually styled bedrooms make comfortable and luxurious retreats, epitomising boutique country style and featuring lots of thoughtful touches.
The Guinea Grill, London, W1J 6NL
The Guinea is a Mayfair institution; there’s been an Inn on this site since 1423. Our restaurant, the Guinea Grill opened in 1952. We specialise in serving dry aged, grass-fed British beef from an open grill. You’ll find a selection of Young’s Ales at the bar and our atmospheric private dining room is perfect for up to 28 people.
The Broad Chare, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE1 3DQ
The Broad Chare offers all the best bits of a traditional ale-house – well-kept beer, honest food, friendly company, good cheer – with a fresh, modern touch. Nothing fancy, nothing fussy, just genuine warmth and an open-hearted welcome. A proper pub. One of those pubs you thought had disappeared (along with whistling milkmen and red telephone boxes), it’s the result of a happy partnership between Terry Laybourne’s 21 Hospitality and Live Theatre, one of the country’s leading new writing theatres.
