When the weather outside is cold and miserable, there is nothing quite like finding a cosy, traditional pub in which to hide away from the weather and enjoy a pint, and all the better if there’s a roaring open fire to relax by. Here are 11 of our favourites...
1. Ostrich Inn, Colnbrook
Dating from 1106, The Ostrich near Heathrow offers everything you would expect of an historic coaching inn; wooden beams, crooked stairs, cobbled courtyard, beautiful en-suite rooms, and a roaring open fire.
2. The Limes, Faversham
This pub used to be called The Chimney Boy due to the five fireplaces found during development works there. Today, The Limes is a smart and lively pub, with excellent food, and a warm welcome.
3. Ye Olde Beverlie, Canterbury
You’re sure to find a blazing open fire on the go at Ye Olde Beverlie, and if that’s not enough to warm you up, you can turn up the heat with some delicious Mexican food.
4. The Millers Arms, Canterbury
The Millers Arms is a great place to drink, dine or stay in the cathedral city of Canterbury. Inside, it’s smart and stylish with warm modern decor, a cosy inglenook fireplace, perfect for a relaxing lunch after shopping or sightseeing.
5. Beau Nash Tavern, Tunbridge Wells
At the top of Mount Ephraim, just a short walk from the centre of town, The Beau Nash is a timeless, traditional pub complete with open fire, classic pub food and a busy calendar of events.
6. The Juggs, Lewes
Nestled in the Sussex village of Kingston, Lewes, The Juggs is every inch the classic country pub - providing fine fare, friendly service, and a toasty log fire in winter.
7. The Griffins Head, Chillenden
Originally built as a farmhouse in 1286, the Griffin’s Head is brimming with character and history. Visit on a winter’s day and relax with a pint of cask ale beneath the old oak beams, next to an original inglenook fireplace.
8. The Bell, Smarden
With three separate cosy bar areas each boasting an real fire, including a large inglenook fireplace and picturesque wood-burning stove, The Bell is an ideal escape from the harsh winter weather.
9. The Gate Inn, Chislet
A blissful place to enjoy hearty home-cooked food and traditional real ales, the Gate Inn in Boyden Gate near Chislet boasts a quarry-tiled floor and original double-sided fireplace, perfect for warming up after a bracing winter walk.
10. Sun Inn, Faversham
Well known locally for its attractive open fireplace, around which two very comfy leather wingback chairs are temptingly placed, The Sun is the perfect place to warm up in winter.
11. The Compasses Inn, Crundale
Nestled on the North Downs between Ashford and Canterbury, The Compasses is a multi-award winning pub that offers food of a very high quality, while retaining the cosy feel of a rural country pub, complete with a mesmerising wood burning stove in the bar.
In addition to the above, many more of our pubs offer a real open fire and a warm welcome.