Planning a UK staycation? Before you book a hotel, B&B or holiday cottage, it could be worth considering one of Britain’s most characterful accommodation options: a pub with rooms.
From country inns and coastal pubs to historic coaching houses and gastropubs with bedrooms, pub stays combine accommodation with food, drink, atmosphere and local character in one place.
And they are proving increasingly popular.
Latest 2026 figures from CGA by NielsenIQ show that occupancy at participating pubs with rooms reached 85.3% in July, up from 84.1% a year earlier. Total accommodation sales were also 5.3% higher year-on-year.
So if you are looking for fresh UK staycation ideas, here are some of the reasons a pub stay deserves a place on your shortlist.
What is a pub with rooms?
A pub with rooms is exactly what it sounds like: a traditional pub, inn or gastropub that also offers overnight accommodation.
But the experience can be very different from staying in a conventional hotel.
Many pub stays are smaller and more individual, with bedrooms reflecting the character of the building and location. You might find yourself staying in a centuries-old coaching inn, a village pub overlooking the countryside or a coastal pub a short walk from the beach.
Downstairs, there is usually a bar and restaurant waiting for you.
That means your accommodation, dinner, drinks and often breakfast can all be part of the same experience.
Why choose a pub stay for your next UK break?
One of the biggest attractions of staying in a pub is convenience.
After a day exploring, you can come back, have a drink at the bar, enjoy dinner and simply head upstairs afterwards.
There is no need to drive to a restaurant or worry about getting a taxi back to your accommodation.
But the appeal goes much further than convenience.
Previous Stay in a Pub and CGA by NielsenIQ research found that consumers associate pub accommodation with qualities including character, friendliness, relaxed surroundings and authentic local experiences.
For many travellers, that is exactly what makes a short break memorable.
Pub stays put you at the heart of the destination
Some of the best pub stays in the UK are found in places travellers already want to explore.
Think village pubs surrounded by walking country, inns in historic market towns, coastal pubs near beaches and harbours, or characterful pubs in some of Britain’s best-known countryside destinations.
A good pub can also be one of the best places to pick up local recommendations.
The people behind the bar often know which walk to take, which attraction is worth visiting, where to find the best view and what is happening locally.
Instead of simply sleeping in a destination, staying in a pub can help you feel part of it.
Pub stays are ideal for last-minute UK breaks
Not every holiday needs months of planning.
Summer 2026 travel research showed just how many UK breaks are decided relatively late.
Ahead of the school holidays, AA research found 10.7 million drivers were planning leisure journeys during the first major holiday week, while more than a third had still not decided what they were going to do.
VisitEngland saw a similar pattern around the August Bank Holiday. 10.6 million Britons planned an overnight holiday trip, while another 5.8 million people remained undecided shortly before the weekend.
That makes pubs with rooms a great option for a last-minute UK getaway.
If the weather looks good, you suddenly have a free weekend or you simply feel like escaping for a night or two, it can be worth checking pub accommodation even at short notice.
Many travellers still overlook pubs with rooms
Despite strong occupancy, pub accommodation is still something many people do not automatically search for when planning a UK break.
Previous Stay in a Pub and CGA by NielsenIQ research found that 59% of people who had never stayed in a pub said they would consider doing so if they knew where to look.
That suggests plenty of travellers may be missing out simply because they start their search with hotels, cottages or B&Bs.
Among people already familiar with pub accommodation, the appeal is strong. Six in ten previous pub-stay guests said they would choose a pub over another accommodation type at the same location and price.
A pub stay is more than just a bedroom
One of the easiest mistakes to make when comparing accommodation is to look only at the room.
With a pub stay, it is worth considering the whole experience.
You may have:
- a characterful bedroom
- a bar downstairs
- locally brewed beers or carefully chosen wines
- breakfast included or available in the morning
- a restaurant serving seasonal or locally sourced food
- local knowledge from the team
- countryside, coast or attractions close by
That combination can make a pub stay especially appealing for couples, walkers, food lovers and anyone looking for a relaxed short break.
A uniquely British experience
For international visitors, staying in a pub can also be a memorable way to experience Britain.
VisitBritain research shows that more than two in five international visits to the UK include a visit to a pub.
A pub with rooms allows visitors to go one step further and actually stay in one.
Sophie Braybrooke, CEO of Stay in a Pub, says:
“Britain has outstanding pubs in some of the country’s best tourism locations.
“A pub stay gives you much more than somewhere to sleep.
You can enjoy the food, drink, atmosphere and local knowledge that come with staying somewhere that is genuinely part of the destination.
“We want more people to think ‘stay in a pub’ as naturally as they think hotel, B&B or holiday cottage.”
What types of pub stay can you book?
There is no single type of pub accommodation, which is part of the appeal.
Country pub stays
Ideal for walking weekends, countryside escapes and peaceful breaks. Look for pubs near national parks, Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty and popular walking routes.
Coastal pub stays
Perfect for a weekend by the sea. Many pubs with rooms can be found close to beaches, coastal paths, fishing villages and harbours.
Romantic pub breaks
Historic inns, fireplaces, good food and individually designed rooms can make pubs an excellent choice for couples looking for a romantic UK getaway.
Foodie pub stays
For many guests, the restaurant is just as important as the bedroom. Gastropubs with rooms allow you to build a whole short break around dinner.
Dog-friendly pub stays
Many countryside and rural pubs welcome dogs, making pub accommodation particularly useful for travellers planning walking holidays with their pets.
How to find the best pub stays in the UK
When choosing a pub with rooms, think about what matters most for your trip.
Check the location carefully and look at what you can do nearby. Read about the food and drink offer as well as the bedrooms. If you are travelling with a dog, check the property’s pet policy before booking.
It is also worth looking at recent photographs and considering whether the atmosphere suits the kind of break you want.
And do not rule somewhere out just because you are booking late. Pub accommodation can still become available close to arrival, particularly for shorter stays.
Make your next UK staycation a pub stay
With 85.3% occupancy recorded in July 2026, pubs with rooms are clearly striking a chord with travellers.
The attraction is easy to understand.
You get somewhere to stay, somewhere to eat, somewhere to drink and a place with its own personality, often right in the heart of the destination you want to explore.
So the next time you search for a weekend break in the UK, a last-minute staycation or somewhere memorable for a night away, try adding one more option to your list:
Stay in a pub.
