Nottingham
Carved into the cliff below the castle, this atmospheric alehouse claims to be England's oldest pub. Founded in 1189, it supposedly slaked the thirst of…
Must-see nightlife in The Midlands & the Marches
The Midlands & the Marches
Dating from 1650 and hosting Bonnie Prince Charlie's soldiers in 1745, this history-steeped black-and-white inn was valiantly restored by local…
The Midlands & the Marches
Dating from the 14th century, and claiming a resident ghost, Worcester's oldest and grandest pub retains original features, including timber panelling and…
Nottingham
Rotating brews at this beer specialist include several from its own Nottingham-based Magpie Brewery, made from British hops and malts, plus hand-pulls…
Birmingham
Potent cocktails (or rather 'elixirs, concoctions and potions') at this trippy spot are served in sweets jars, watering cans, teapots and miniature…
The Midlands & the Marches
Ciders at this independent pub are sublime and most are locally sourced. It's also the tap room for its own Odyssey beers (such as Black Out, a dark-malt,…
Stratford-upon-Avon
To truly appreciate Stratford's olde-worlde atmosphere, join the locals for a pint at the town's oldest pub. Built in 1470, this thatch-roofed treasure…
Birmingham
Fictitious Victorian-era explorer/professor Hettie G Watson is the inspiration for the botanical-library theme of this bar in an 1869-built former bank…
Nottingham
The Dragon has a fabulous atmosphere at any time, thanks to homemade food, a good beer garden and vinyl played on weekends. But it peaks from 7.30pm on…
Birmingham
The pastel wallpaper, timber bar and polished brass give the impression the Welly is frozen in time, but this spruced-up pub sheltering a timber-decked…
Birmingham
South American–themed bar Bodega takes its cues from the continent for drinks (wines from Argentina and Chile, cocktails made with mezcal, tequila, rum,…
The Midlands & the Marches
Behind a peppermint-painted traditional shopfront, Beerbohm's richly coloured lounge-style interior is filled with handmade furniture. Its discerning…
The Midlands & the Marches
Beans from single farm estates and co-ops sourced and roasted by London-based Monmouth are brewed at this little bare-boards hole in the wall; the flat…
Nottingham
Entering what appears to be an industrial boilermaker's shop and navigating your way through two secret doors brings you into this cavernous, low-lit…
Nottingham
Seven hand-pulled ales are poured at this split-level pub with works by local artists, British pub fare (fish and chips, shepherd's pie) and a wraparound…
Birmingham
Buried beneath the Burlington Arcade, this darkened drinking den has the ambience of a decadent underworld. Down a faux-marble-encased staircase,…
The Midlands & the Marches
On a cobbled lane near the cathedral, sociable 18th-century pub 'The Lich' has a timber-panelled interior and opens to a decked beer garden out the back…
Peak District
An ideal stop for walkers descending from Kinder Scout, the Old Nags Head is a packhorse inn (and former smithy) with tankards hanging from the beams and…
The Midlands & the Marches
Ales and craft keg beers from independent British breweries are the hallmark of this adorable little one-room micropub, along with a wonderful selection…
The Midlands & the Marches
Moored on the River Trent overlooking Newark Castle, this former grain barge, which once plied the waters between Hull and Gainsborough, is an idyllic…
Nottingham
A fine place for a pint, the Malt Cross occupies a stately old Victorian music hall, where past performers included Charlie Chaplin. It's now a community…
The Midlands & the Marches
The muted charcoal facade doesn't give much away but inside this low-key, independent bar has knock-out cocktails, including a Spicy Malvern (aka a green…
Stratford-upon-Avon
Also called the 'Black Swan', this enchanting riverside alehouse is the only pub in England to be licensed under two names. It's a favourite thespian…
The Midlands & the Marches
The more real ales and local ciders you knock back in this traditional pub, the more you may believe the tales of resident ghosts from the site's history…
Birmingham
A vast high-ceilinged temple of a pub, housed in an 1852-built former bank, the Old Joint Stock is beloved by a high-spirited after-work crowd. Upstairs,…
Nottingham
Outpost roasts sustainably sourced beans on the city-centre's northwestern edge and brews them up here at its tiny espresso bar. Oat, almond and soy milk…
Nottingham
A fixture on Notthingham's late-night scene, hedonistic NG1 has four bars and two dance floors belting out house, electro, pop and more to a capacity of…
The Midlands & the Marches
In the atmospheric Lanes – a tangle of alleys south of the High St – this old-fashioned pub has fine draught ales and a crowd that rates its drinks by…
Nottingham
Nottingham's original cocktail bar rocks the Lace Market with DJ sets and quirky takes on favourites such as elderflower mojitos. The roof terrace gets…
Stratford-upon-Avon
Ale was already flowing at this low-ceilinged pub when rhyming couplets gushed from Shakespeare's quill. Flowers frame the whitewashed facade; there's a…
Peak District
The cosiest of Buxton's pubs, this 17th-century coaching inn has a warren of rooms full of original features, proper cask ales and a lively crowd that…
The Midlands & the Marches
Dating from 1530, Derby's oldest pub has regular live music in the beer garden as well as pub quizzes and 'medium nights' with guest psychics.
Peak District
The Scotsman’s Pack is a traditional inn serving hearty food and real ale, named for the Scottish packmen who stopped here to sell tweeds.
The Midlands & the Marches
The Tap serves its own brews, guest ales and over 80 craft beers from around the world in elegant Victorian surrounds.
The Midlands & the Marches
On the main shopping street, this tiny pub has a big selection of real ales and an old piano at the back.
Birmingham
Comedy nights regularly take place in the 19th-century splendour of this old theatre pub dating from the late 19th century, which is reputed to have its…
The Midlands & the Marches
This Grade II–listed, triple-decker space is styled after a neon-lit American dive bar, with retro, vintage and industrial decor, craft beers, and…
Peak District
The ivy-draped Castle Inn has four centuries of practice in rejuvenating hamstrung hikers (and their dogs – pets are warmly welcomed here). Gourmet…
Birmingham
Narrow boats glide past the terrace of this 18th-century lock-keeper’s cottage, where the low-ceilinged interior is strung with nautical paraphernalia and…
