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
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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…
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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…
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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…
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Birmingham
Potent cocktails (or rather 'elixirs, concoctions and potions') at this trippy spot are served in sweets jars, watering cans, teapots and miniature…
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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,…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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,…
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The Midlands & the Marches
Behind a peppermint-painted traditional shopfront, Beerbohm's richly coloured lounge-style interior is filled with handmade furniture. Its discerning…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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Birmingham
Buried beneath the Burlington Arcade, this darkened drinking den has the ambience of a decadent underworld. Down a faux-marble-encased staircase,…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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,…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
