The Ship Inn in Low Newton-by-the-Sea, Northumberland (Image: NC)
THE SHIP INN
Low Newton-by-the-Sea, Northumberland
Film nights, folk nights, beer that’s brewed 10 paces from the front door, lovely staff, tasty food and a beautiful position on the Northumbrian coast.
The Ship is tiny – two wonderfully authentic rooms with stripped floors, stone walls, old settles and a wood-burner for winter.
There are maps, the odd nautical touch, but mostly the happy chatter of hungry souls digging into a good lunch, perhaps a handpicked crab sandwich or a bowl of homemade soup. Mains from £8.95
sawdays.co.uk/pubs/theshipinn, 01665 576262
THE CHEQUERS INN
Thornham, Norfolk
Cheerful Chequers, beloved by locals and visitors alike, is thriving under the new care of Agellus. General manager Ewen takes the helm and all is smooth sailing – with some of the best seafood you’ll find in this lovely part of the world.
Thornham is a pretty little village nestled along the coast, close to spectacular scenery and nature reserves, where Chequers gleams with its whitewashed walls and red pantiles. Inside, the fireplace glows and crackles, fresh flowers sit on scrubbed tables and the menu beckons.
Our tempura of Brancaster mussels with tartar espuma and chilli vinegar (part of their Norfolk tapas range) was bursting with delicate flavours, but you might try slow-cooked crispy belly of pork with cider potato fondant, black cabbage, black pudding bonbon and grain mustard velouté.
For days out, Sandringham and Holkham Hall are close. Lunch from £8.95
sawdays.co.uk/thechequersinn, 01485 512229
The Boathouse in Shrewsbury, Shropshire (Image: NC)
THE BOATHOUSE
Shrewsbury, Shropshire
Surely one of the best waterside pubs in the country, linked to the centre of Shrewsbury town by a glorious riverside path, this huge historic pub stands on the banks of the Severn overlooking Quarry Park.
The smart decked terrace and big garden draw the crowds for cool drinks, pretty views and top-notch bar food featuring the best of Shropshire ingredients.
Summer brings festivals galore: flowers, food, dragon boat races.
Nautical colours, beams and cushioned benches set the scene for pints of Wye Valley and hearty plates of food: local favourite, Shropshire gold battered cod and chips; sharing boards; towering burgers with skin-on fries and coleslaw; Cornish ice cream. Mains from £12.
sawdays.co.uk/pubs/theboathouse, 01743 231658
GRIFFIN INN
Pembrokeshire, Wales
Dale’s last, very old pub – there were once 15 – sits defiantly close to the water and has seen out some stormy seas. The stone sea wall in front is known as “the longest bar in Pembrokeshire” and what better place to be on a warm day with a pint of Tenby Harbwr’s North Star or Tomos Watkin’s Cwrw Haf, both from local breweries, as you watch the day’s catch being unloaded from responsible boats. Fresh fish, lobster and shellfish are hugely popular and make the short distance from beach to Simon and Sian’s menus of home-cooked fare.
Inside are red quarry tiles, painted stone, wood panelling and an open fire in the cosy, traditional bar.
An additional restaurant and roof terrace make the most of the views across the bay. Mains from £9.25
sawdays.co.uk/pubs/griffininn, 01646 636227
Typical fish and chips (Image: Pepgooner/GettyImages)
THE ANCHOR INN
Bridport, Dorset
You’re in a perfect spot here, smackbang on the coastal path below Golden Cap. The big sun terrace and gardens overlook the pebbly beach; interiors evoke driftwood and nautical cosiness, with open fires around which you can enjoy a pint of Palmers and a crab sandwich, or a bowl of super-fresh shellfish washed down with an excellent wine.
If you’ve built up an appetite (there are walks from the doorstep) fish and lobsters direct from the beach make for the freshest of fresh dishes. Mains from £13
sawdays.co.uk/pubs/theanchorinn, 01297 489215
THE CROWN
Hastings, Sussex
Community spirit rings throughout and everyone is welcome, including the dog. Just a short stroll up from the beach, this old corner boozer oozes artful charm and hipster-cool. Decor is shabby-chic, the mood is laid-back, and the craft beer list is curated by an expert palate.
With Tess and Andrew at the helm, the Crown celebrates fantastic local produce and menus bristle with local artisan produce: freshly caught fish, vegetables from a walled garden, and homemade bread. Enjoy a pint of Romney Marsh Best with a beerbattered fishfinger sandwich, or go the whole hog and tuck into venison cottage pie, roast vegetables and seasonal greens. Mains from £10
sawdays.co.uk/pubs/thecrownhastings, 01424 465100
The Lewenwick Lodge in Cornwall (Image: NC)
LEWINNICK LODGE
Newquay, Cornwall
Poised above the cliff edge to a backdrop of rustic headland (an inspiring setting for platefuls of Cornish mussels), this glass-fronted edifice overlooks the ocean. Polar opposite of the ‘quaint local’, the Lodge is large and luminous with a friendly modern vibe.
Be wowed by a wall of glass, a sweep of oak, a sparkling bar, an open fire, efficient staff who make everyone welcome (including dogs). Dive into fresh seafood and worldinspired dishes, while you sip crisp wine or locally-brewed ales and enjoy the views from the cliff-top terrace.
They’re open for breakfast and the coffee is fabulous – courtesy of a Cornish coffee roaster. Lunch from £15
sawdays.co.uk/pubs/lewinnicklodge, 01637 878117
The Ship Inn in Fife (Image: NC)
THE SHIP INN
Elie, Fife
There are few inns where you can sit on the terrace and watch a game of cricket on this beach. But it’s not beach cricket as you know it. This is serious stuff, played at low tide, and Mark Waugh, Viv Richards and Wasim Akram have all tried their hand. As for this cute little boutique inn, it’s as good as any in the land, and it doubles as the pavilion and the venue for post-match celebrations.
On sunny days, you can decant on to the terrace for lunch in the sun and gaze across the Firth of Forth to Edinburgh’s hills.
Smart rooms have seaside colours, crisp linen, coffee machines, fancy bathrooms with walk-in showers; those at the front have sea views, too.
St Andrews awaits for around of golf, as does the Fife coastal path for excellent walks. Sunday lunch from £12.95
sawdays.co.uk/theshippinnelie.scot, 0131 3331320
The Great British Pub Guide is a first edition reboot of Sawday’s Pubs and Inns book, and includes more than 500 of the best British pubs.
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