The Sunday Times Best Places to Stay 2017
Pub | Pub Accommodation | Uk Pubs | Posted 2017.11.06
The Sunday Times have released their 100 best places to stay this year. With more of us than ever taking breaks in Britain, we need great places to stay. The Sunday Times fifth annual guide to the nation’s best places to stay is freshly researched focusing on the things that really matter: places where the essentials of comfort, service and value go along with personality and warmth. Stay in a Pub are delighted to announce that five of our subscription pubs made the top 100.
This grade II listed building on Fowey harbour dates from the Middle Ages, and seafaring runs through its blood, so it’s no surprise to find plenty of maritime styling: the five bedrooms have beach-hut panelling in shades of blue and cream, cushions in deckchair stripes and murals of bobbing boats. All offer a soundtrack of seagulls and harbour bustles, as well as views across the estuary. The bar, with its banquette booths, sink-in sofas and shelves loaded with board games and books, has a lovely all-day buzz.
The first rural offering from the much-loved mini-chain takes the shape of a 16th century thatched pub in the village of South Leigh. Downstairs, there’s a warren of rooms with flagstone floors, beamed ceilings, oak panels and a couple of bars. The walls are adorned with photos of 1960’s French wrestlers, playing card posters and acid-trip wallpaper and the loos are fitted with reclaimed prison-cell doors. The talented Leon Smith has created a menu with tasty classics such as steak with triple cooked chips. The five rooms are built into the eaves and beamed, with luxurious Volga linen on the extravagant beds and powerful rainforest showers.
What was the George Inn, in Egerton, is now the Barrow House, a community hub with great pub grub. parents pop in for pastries after the school run, local clubs meet there and, on Friday nights, the village piles in for craft beers and music. The three bedrooms are painted in greens and oatmeals, with king-size beds and sloping ceilings.
At this grade II listed part-Tudor inn in the heart of Stratford-upon-Avon, the barside chat is always energetic, thanks to the thesp-heavy clientele. There’s plenty of drama downstairs, with flamboyant red and green decor, and leather banquettes. The 12 rooms with exposed beams, geometric wallpapers, framed Shakespeare quotes all come with complimentary port.
This creeper clad 16th-century coach house on the edge of the Forest of Bowland offers outstanding value and super seafood from the Fleetwood fisherman Chris Reve. This is his daughter Joycelyn’s baby: she designed the six cosy bedrooms, where stout Lancashire beds are piled high with jazzy plaids and thick mohair blankets, and the bathrooms have valley views. The Derby welcomes muddy wellies and wet dogs, who get free homemade canine treats by the bowlful. Humans are well fed, too: Chris’s seafood is done with an Asian twist.
Here is the full list of The Sunday Times Best Places to Stay
