The pub, as we’ve mentioned before, is a longstanding British tradition. Historically, it was often the heart of the community. In many smaller villages and communities it still is. We take a look at some of the most extreme pubs you can visit in the UK.
Highest
If I had only known about this when I was walking the Coast to Coast several years ago, why yes I would have taken a detour up to the Pennine Way. There I’d have stopped for a pint and a bite at the Tan Hill Inn, Britain’s highest pub. The Tan Hill Inn is located in beautiful Swaledale, north of Keld, high in the Yorkshire Dales. The isolated stone inn stands 1,732 feet above sea level and once provided beds for local miners. Today it offers food, drinks, live music, and accommodation to anyone willing to hike or drive to it. You can wild camp or even get married here. Watch out for the chance of being snowed in if you visit in winter… although, would that really be so bad? Just reading about it makes me want to reach for my boots and head back to the Dales.
Lowest
If you’ve been to the highest pub in the country, why not head to the lowest? No, it’s not in a cave. It is, however, below sea-level. The Admiral Wells is located near Peterborough, at the edge of the East Anglian Fens. Admiral Thomas Wells, for whom the pub is named, was part of a local family of landowners and had an illustrious naval career. In the mid-19th century, his grandson decided to drain Whittlesey Mere for use as agricultural land. He later built a pub on the spot and dedicated it to his ancestor. The exact “height” of the pub is debated and has varied over the years with erosion and other weather-related events. Some say the land is several meters below sea-level. Others argue it is now above sea-level. Either way, we recommend you stop in for a pint and a meal. The Admiral Wells is also noted for its real ale.
Oldest
The oldest pub in the UK is a much-debated topic and several lay claim to the title as we have previously discussed here at British Food and Travel. And, to be fair, it depends on your definition. Are we talking about the oldest standing building? The oldest site on which alcohol has been sold, regardless of how many times the building has been rebuilt? Last year, I attended a fascinating webinar by Dr James Wright, an archaeologist and historian of Triskele Heritage. He explored various claims, looking at all manners of sources from historical documents to dendrochronology, to explore the history of pubs in Britain and to determine the truth behind some of the claims. He argued that many of the claims could be disproved by archaeological and archival research. He concluded that none of the claimants have real evidence to support their claims. Based on the evidence he has uncovered, he says that the George Inn in Norton St Philip, Somerset, has the most likely claim to being the oldest pub in the country. If you get a chance to attend one of Wright’s talks, in-person or online, I highly recommend them. And of course, stop by the George for a drink.
Remotest
A trip to the local often means a quick walk to the end of the road. But what if your local was a 15-mile walk? The Old Forge Pub, officially the most remote pub on Britain’s mainland, is on the Knoydart Peninsula up in the Scottish Highlands. And this is a spot that requires serious commitment to get there. Your options are the aforementioned 15-mile walk from Kinloch Hourn, a 26-mile stroll from Glenfinnan, or, for the less spritely, a 5.6-mile boat ride from Mallaig. In my mind, I conjure up images from The Lord of the Rings – magnificent scenery and a quest… for beer. Oh and did I mention that even reaching Kinloch Hourn to start the hike is a bit of a lengthy drive?
Northernmost
You’ll need to head up to the Shetland Islands to enjoy a pint in Britain’s northernmost pub. The Balta Light is closer to Norway’s capital than it is to London. It may not be the most picturesque building, but it offers warm welcome, good beer, and some incredible views of the Northern Lights, not to mention bragging rights for saying you’ve been there.
Southernmost
From the Shetland Isles in the north, we head to the Scilly Isles to find the southernmost pub. Or do we? There are several contenders for the title of most southerly so let’s take a look. The Turks Head on St. Agnes in Scilly wisely hedges its bets and calls itself the most southwesterly pub in the British Isles. If you want to pay them a visit, plan accordingly. The Turks Head is only open for about 6 months of the year from the end of March until the end of September or early October. The Witchball on Cornwall’s Lizard Peninsula has long claimed to be the southernmost. However, I could not verify this and, at the time of writing, their website was down. This leaves us with The Top House Inn at Lizard Point which makes no bones about claiming the title on its website. Visit for a drink, some excellent local food, and a comfortable room for the night.
Largest
When it comes to naming the country’s largest pub, what criteria do you use? Square footage? Capacity? Do you include add-ons such as a bowling alley or a restaurant area? How about co-working space, a hidden cocktail bar, and a microbrewery? If the answer to all of these is a definite YES, then look no further than Brewdog Waterloo, located beneath the platforms of London’s Waterloo Station. The 27,500 sq ft (!) facility opened in 2022 and considers itself more than a pub; it’s an immersive experience. There’s even a studio where you can record a podcast. The beer ties everything together – there are 60 taps, but this is truly a pub with something for everyone. Bonus: it has a slide.
