Sat by a roaring log fire, glass of mulled wine in hand while snow falls from the sky outside. There’s nowhere more cosy than a pub during winter months. Here’s our guide to pubs which will warm your heart and your cockles.
Bedfordshire
Enjoy a visit to The Falcon in Bletsoe, your go-to pub for warming up a winter’s night. A roaring fire greets you on arrival and there’s plenty of nooks to get lost in, settling in for the evening. With a good reputation for seasonal fresh food, there’s also a great winter menu to choose from.
The Flying Horse in Clophill is a great place to visit on a cold evening. With a roaring fire, great food and a welcoming atmosphere, this pub has something for everyone.
Cambridgeshire
Visit The Exhibition in Godmanchester for a traditional log fire and food from an award-winning chef. Sit by the fire, tuck into a delicious dish, wash it down with a pint and relax. It’s the perfect way to spend a cold evening.
A 1650s ale house on Chatteris Fen, The Anchor Inn in Ely oozes cosiness. Beamed ceilings, timber-framed walls and dark panelling frame a wood burner which warms the pub.
Essex
The Fox and Goose pub, located in the pretty village of Cooksmill Green, is a centuries old beautifully restored pub. Here you can tuck into heart dishes, sip on real ale or a glass of red while lounging in front of the log fire. A short distance from Chelmsford, Ongar and Brentwood makes it an ideal place for relaxing after a day of shopping.
The Bell Inn in Horndon-On-The-Hill is a 15th century coaching inn which has been in the same family for over 75 years. With a warm, friendly atmosphere, this pub has an open fire, numerous ales on hand pump and a great selection of wines by the glass. It also has a daily changing menu, which uses seasonal and local ingredients.
Hertfordshire
The Wicked Lady in Wheathampstead offers a warm welcome with cosy nooks for comfy armchairs, open log fires and a selection of warming drinks on offer. They’ve recently launched a new menu, so there’s plenty of options for everyone.
With a huge Inglenook fireplace burning every day during winter, The Bull in Watton will certainly make you toasty. Dating back to the 15th century, this pub is a local favourite offering good food and plenty of choices of drinks.
Norfolk
The Banningham Crown is a traditional 17th century timbered inn in the quiet village of Banningham. Enjoy a warming log fire, five real ales on tap and bar snacks and meals to whet even the heartiest of appetites.
Voted Good Pub Guide Pub of the year in 2015, the Rose and Crown in Snettisham is a pub with twisting passages and hidden corners, low beams, pavement floors and of course, log fires. Dogs are welcome here, so pop in after a country walk.
Suffolk
The Lindsey Rose in Lindsey, a family run pub, features a real large log fire surrounded by soft armchairs. Enjoy a pint or glass of wine in front of the fire at a pub that’s been a popular heart of the community for over 500 years. It’s also dog friendly, so a great place to pop into after a long walk in the countryside.
Just two miles from the Suffolk coast, the Grundisburgh Dog in Grundisburgh is a great local pub to visit. It has retained most of its charm from the olden days, with cosy log burner. Visit for a menu featuring local and seasonal ingredients and stay for the ambience and charm.
Don’t stay at home when it’s dark and cold. Take a trip to a warming winter pub and enjoy ambience, a welcome to remember and great food and drink.
Article by Amanda French: www.anoseforfood.com
