Summer has gone and autumn is now officially here – so why not book into a beautiful pub, that offers roaring fires, top ales and wines, and some delicious Sunday grub
With the colder weather drawing in, a perfect Sunday means a delicious roast dinner in a cosy pub, complete with warming fires and plates of mouth-watering food. To help you find the ideal spot to tuck in, we’ve come up with a list of some of top homely pubs in the UK where great grub and top-notch hospitality awaits…
The Abbey Inn, Byland, North Yorkshire
This 19th century, historic inn has been transformed into a cosy, relaxed country pub, which overlooks the historic ruins of Byland Abbey in North Yorkshire. It offers a seasonal menu created by Chef Director Tommy Banks, alongside an excellently curated drinks list from real hand-pumped ales to seasonal cocktails.
Sunday roasts range from Rolled Saddleback Pork Belly and Salt-Aged Rump of Beef Salt-Aged Rump of Beef to Butternut Squash & Sage Pie, all served up with delicious seasonal vegetables, roast potatoes, and gravy.
The Cornish Arms, Tavistock, Devon
The Cornish Arms is a thriving British boozer in the ancient stannary town of Tavistock, right on the edge of the Dartmoor National Park. It offers the best seasonal ingredients from amazing suppliers and a warm welcome for everyone.
Sunday offerings include Roast sirloin and Brisket of beef, Roast best end of saddleback pork with maple smoked belly and crackling, and Roasted Cornish cauliflower with a walnut vinaigrette. All roasts are served with roast potatoes and seasonal vegetables, while the menu also boasts an array of tantalising smaller plates and alternative main meals.
The Great Bustard, Salisbury, Wiltshire
The 19th-century inn in the village of Great Durnford is not only where locals gather for a pint. It also houses a restaurant with an inventive seasonal menu using ingredients that are “local where possible but always the best of the best”.
Sunday diners can feast on Roast Durnford Lamb, Lyons Hill Beef, Somerset Saxon Chicken or Nut Roast, while desserts include Sticky Toffee Pudding, with Miso Caramel and Vanilla Ice Cream, and an Autumn Mess,with Roasted Stone Fruits and Apricot Sorbet.
The Cat Inn, West Hoathly, West Sussex
The Cat Inn is a 16th century free house set in the picturesque village of West Hoathly, a hilltop village in the heart of the Sussex countryside.
Given its location, it’s a popular pub amongst walkers looking to rest – but it’s also gained a top reputation for its Sunday menu, which includes Orchard Farm Pork Belly, and Chicken Breast with Crispy Leg and Caramelised Bread Sauce. Among the desserts on offer are apple and Plum Nut Crumble,a Dark Chocolate Terrine, Sticky Toffee Pudding, and Fig Leaf Egg Custard Tart.
The Merry Harriers, Hambledon, Surrey
A traditional, welcoming village inn, this pub is steeped in history, with old oak beams, and a roaring fireplace. The daily changing menu is inspired by great British classics, while the bar serves award-winning local ales, an innovative cocktail list and carefully curated wine list
Sundays offer diners sharing roast options – for a minimum of two people – including Wintershall pork shoulder, Trenchmore farm topside beef, Balcombe estate venison haunch, Chicken & leek pie, and Wintershall minted lamb hot pot.
The Howard Arms, Ilmington, Warwickshire
The Howard Arms is a glorious Cotswold taproom, restaurant and bed & breakfast in the heart of the village of Ilmington. Inside, the fire crackles and the bar bustles with locals and visitors drinking from a carefully chosen selection of ales, beers and wine. The award-winning chef has created a menu of top-quality pub favourites, alongside imaginative starters, mains and tasty sounding puddings.
The Sunday menu includes free-range chicken supreme, dry-aged Aberdeen angus beef sirloin, Gloucestershire Old Spot pork loin and a Root vegetable & cheddar filo pie, along with children’s roasts.
The Unruly Pig, Bromeswell, Suffolk
This beautiful beamed, rustic pub puts an emphasis on seasonal, local produce with its creative, modern menu.
Tuk into a 40-day aged beef roast – sirloin or fillet – served with roasties, roots, greens, yorkshire pudding; a 60-day aged pork sharing roast (minimum 2 people) with glazed belly, crispy ham hock, crispy crackling puff, roasties, roots, greens, and lardo gravy, or a 50-day aged rib of hereford beef (for two to share), with ox cheek stuffed yorkshire pudding, roasties, roots, greens, and bone marrow gravy.
The Red Lion and Sun, Highgate
This gem boasts two beer gardens, a wood burning fire, daily changing menus, great wine list and whisky galore.
Popular Sunday options have included roast rib of beef; Porchetta with sage and onion stuffing; Côte de boeuf ; Braised Cornish lamb shoulder shank and a Vegetable and chestnut roast with onion gravy.
It is located in the leafy rural haven of Highgate Village overlooking London, within walking distance of Hampstead Heath, Kenwood House and Highgate Cemetery. Open to friendly dogs, well behaved children, and their owners!
The Star Inn, Harome, North Yorkshire
This Michelin-starred thatched 14th-century Inn offers a real taste of Yorkshire hospitality. Menus change seasonally to take advantage of the best available ingredients.
Plates on the sample menu include Roast Sirloin of Marwood’s Village Reared Beef with Yorkshire Pudding, Garden Savoy Cabbage, Forcemeat and Blackened Carrot, Fresh Horseradish with Black Sheep Ale Gravy.
For pork fans ,there’s the Rare Breed Warrick Bailey Pork Belly with Orchard Apple and Elderflower, Black Pudding Scotch Egg, Scratching, Sage ‘n’ Onion Juices. Or try the Braised Shoulder of Lamb with Isle of Wight Tomato, Yorkshire Feta and Black Olive Salad, Garden Mint Jellies, Lardo and Kitchen Tobacco
The Pack Horse, Hayfield, Derbyshire
A beautiful traditional stone gastro-pub that remains at the heart of the village, The Pack Horse serves ethically sourced, seasonal food alongside local real ale, craft beer, wines and seasonal cocktails
Sunday visitors can enjoy Derbyshire beef rump; a mint and honey slow braised lamb; shoulder, Scottish Plaice, or a Squab Pie – all served with the Sunday roast trimmings.