Gear up for the UK's most scenic driving routes
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The roads along Scotland's west coast undulate and twist, providing different framings at every turn. The best is along the coast of the Applecross peninsula, looking across to the Isle of Skye, where the Cuillins are etched out on the horizon. If you're brave, tackle the Bealach na Ba, the Applecross pass, one of the steepest roads in the UK, with stupendous views but tortuous hairpin bends. The 60-minute drive is the most dramatic part of the North Coast 500 and ends at the popular Applecross Inn, right on the waterfront.Details B&B doubles from £160 (applecrossinn.co.uk)
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The glory of this 45-minute route, which reaches over to the western edge of the Lakes, is that it gets less busy the further you go, and topping the Honister pass will give you a full blast of a setting sun on the other side. There's plenty of waterside action, first along Derwentwater and Borrowdale's lazy lanes. The pass itself is surprisingly bleak and wild, before descending to the fellwalker Alfred Wainwright's favourite slice of lakeland, by Buttermere and Crummock Water. Honister's Via Ferrata allows thrill-seekers to scramble across the crag while harnessed to a safety cable (£65; honister.com). End up at the Kirkstile Inn, a traditional hostelry where hikers dry their feet by the fireside.Details B&B doubles from £145 (kirkstile.com)
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Set out from Hay after a browse around the bookshops and head towards Gospel Pass, the highest road pass in Wales. Hay Bluff and Offa's Dyke are up to your left, and border country and the meandering Wye opens out beneath you. Then drop down the other side into the remote Vale of Ewyas, a magical valley rich in birdsong (and free of mobile phone signal), to the ruins of 12th-century Llanthony Priory, just as compelling as Tintern but far less busy. The poet Walter Savage Landor built the house in the ruins that is now a tiny hotel and awaits at the end your 40-minute pootle. Details B&B doubles from £140 (llanthonypriory.co.uk)
The A39 runs through the hills of Exmoor National Park. Views to one side are of the Bristol Channel, picking out the superstructure of ships heading to Avonmouth; the other is across the moorland, where wild ponies graze. Factor in a stop off at the County Gate car park on the 30-minute journey to gaze down into the deep winding valley of the Lyn River, then try not to be distracted by the view on the long and steep descent down Countisbury Hill. Stay right on the quayside in Lynmouth at the Rising Sun and ride the unique water-powered cliff railway up to the sister resort of Lynton (£4; cliffrailwaylynton.co.uk).Details B&B doubles from £120 (risingsunlynmouth.co.uk)
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The rawboned uplands of the Peaks feel like an ambush as you emerge from Sheffield's Ringinglow Road, and suddenly you're sliding down past the harsh grimace of Stanage Edge, a magnet for rock climbers. The sleepy village of Hathersage in the valley below provides welcome sanctuary, as does the spa town of Buxton, a less stuffy version of Bath complete with Georgian crescent and thermal spa. From here it is a short climb over and down the sinuous Cat and Fiddle road (named after an inn at the top) for the last stretch of this 90-minute drive, through bleak moorland, or take a longer route past Shutlingsloe on the A54. Stay in Bakewell's Rutland Arms, to be within easy driving distance of both opera (buxtonoperahouse.org.uk) and Bakewell tarts (bakewellpuddingshop.co.uk).Details B&B doubles from £108 (rutlandarmsbakewell.co.uk)
The A3055 between Chale and Freshwater Bay is on the Isle of Wight's western coast. This 16-mile road was originally a link between forts and barracks, with no public access until the 1930s. Since then it has regularly been re-routed, thanks to the Atlantic's winter pummellings. On a calm day, however, it is an exhilarating 30-minute drive. White cliffs reflect the sun's colours, particularly at sunset, and there are a couple of swooping ricochet bends just before the sanctuary of Freshwater Bay. Switch your engine off at the end to gaze out at the famous Needles (nationaltrust.org.uk), or for a close-up take the chairlift down to Alum Bay (£6; theneedles.co.uk). Stay in the popular George right by the harbour in nearby Yarmouth. Details B&B doubles from £125 (thegeorge.co.uk)
Starting at the seaside resort of Whitby, head up onto the moorland at Castleton and then descend into the peaceful Rosedale Valley. Turn right onto the A170 into Helmsley, with its 12th-century castle and former coaching inns. Keep going west until you reach Sutton Bank after 90 minutes, on the moor's west-facing escarpment. James Herriot described the outlook here, with the Dales in the distance and the Vale of Mowbray spread out like a tablecloth below, as 'the finest view in England'. Afterwards, retreat to Helmsley for a pint in the wood-panelled Black Swan. Hangovers can be assuaged the next day by a walk along the Cleveland Way (nationaltrail.co.uk).Details B&B doubles from £110 (inncollectiongroup.com)
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Sunday Post
a day ago
- Sunday Post
NC500 Accommodation: 5 places to stay on the iconic road trip
Get a weekly round-up of stories from The Sunday Post: Thank you for signing up to our Sunday Post newsletter. Something went wrong - please try again later. Sign Up From great NC500 accommodation options to perfect places for a coffee break, lunch or dinner, these five businesses can help make your North Coast 500 adventure an unforgettable experience. About partnership content Some Sunday Post online content is funded by outside parties. The revenue from this helps to sustain our independent news gathering. You will always know if you are reading paid-for material as it will be clearly labelled as 'Partnership' on the site and on social media channels, This can take two different forms. 'Presented by' This means the content has been paid for and produced by the named advertiser. 'In partnership with' This means the content has been paid for and approved by the named advertiser but written and edited by our own commercial content team. The North Coast 500 (NC500) has become one of the world's most iconic road trips – and for good reason. Showcasing Scotland's most incredible scenery, it offers a great way to experience the beauty and splendour of our country. If it's on your bucket list, then let us help with the planning. Here's five great ideas for places to stay, and options for food and drink, on the NC500 route. 1. Black Isle Pods & Chalet © Supplied by Local businesses Looking for a place to stay with the whole family? Black Isle Pods is a family-run business in the Black Isle countryside just 10 miles north of Inverness and three miles from the main A9 road to the north. It is well situated for exploring the Highlands and the North Coast 500. It is only one hour drive from Ullapool on the west coast and two hours from John O'Groats on the north coast. The family's aim is to provide a pleasant, comfortable and memorable stay for all guests. The accommodation consists of three cosy, fully insulated luxury glamping pods. Each is self-contained with a double bed, sofa bed, ensuite shower room, kitchenette and smart TV. They also have their own private hot tub. There is a separate laundry with washing machine and tumble dryer, and a well-stocked shed with wood to purchase for fire pits, local ice cream, ice lollies and cans of juice, books and magazines. The site's comfortable fully self-contained chalet, An Sealladh, has a double and single bedroom and can sleep up to four or five people. It sits enclosed in its own private garden, has decking and a large six-person covered hot tub. It has ramped access and, as its name suggests (An Sealladh means 'view'), has a superb view to the south over Munlochy Bay and on towards the Cairngorms. Well-behaved dogs are welcome in all properties. The Black Isle is a beautiful area with its beaches, harbours, dolphin spotting and many walks. Black Isle Pods & Chalet is currently for sale as successful on-going business along with the family's 4-bedroom former farmhouse which also sits on the site. Contact Galbraith's website for more information. Book your next countryside stay at Black Isle Pods and Chalet. 2. Ardgay Glamping © Supplied by Local businesses The pods at Ardgay Glamping are perfectly positioned as a base for guests to enjoy a variety of outdoor pursuits and attractions. They are situated in the quiet, rural village of Ardgay, located within the world-famous North Coast 500 scenic route in the beautiful Kyle of Sutherland. The two luxurious, spacious bespoke pods are designed with modern luxury in mind. They have full en-suite facilities as well as a small kitchen, living room area, TV, Wi-Fi and thermostatically controlled heating for year-round comfort. In front of each pod is a fire pit and a large, decked area with a dining table and chairs, where you can enjoy the serenity of the countryside. There are barbeque cooking facilities under cover available for each pod. Ardgay Glamping is situated just 400m from Ardgay railway station and 200m from the village's main bus stop, with on-site parking for those arriving by car. Behind the pods, there is a bike bothy with upright bike storage and maintenance kits. A discount is available for guests staying three nights or more, and it's open all year round. Explore the North Coast 500 from a base at Ardgay Glamping. 3. The Halladale Inn & North Coast Touring Park © Supplied by Local businesses The Halladale Inn & North Coast Touring Park is located in the village of Melvich on the north coast of the popular NC500 route. The Halladale Inn was developed from an original croft house, built in 1882. It is now a licensed café and restaurant supporting regulars from across Caithness and Sutherland and visitors from further afield – especially those completing the NC500 route. The Halladale Inn provides everything you need for breakfast, lunch and dinner or pop in for coffee, tea, hot chocolate and a cake. It is a licensed premises so offers beer, wine, whiskies, spirits and gins from local distilleries and breweries too. Adjacent to this you'll find The North Coast Touring Park, a motorhome, caravan and camping park with glamping pods and beautiful views over Melvich Bay. There is a first class toilet block, campers kitchen and a laundry along with facilities to offload grey and chemical waste if needed. Finally, the on-site shop is open from 9am – 7pm for your essentials, locally made gifts and also offers an 'off license' service. Owners Tim and Maddi and their team offer a warm welcome to help you have an enjoyable stay. Planning your NC500 adventure? Book your stay at The Halladale Inn. 4. Byrnside & Bromach at Craiglea © Supplied by Local businesses Looking for the ultimate Highland escape? Luxury glamping pods, Byrnside and Bromach at Craiglea, are in a league of their own. Set on the stunning cliffs above Latheronwheel Harbour, right on the legendary NC500 and just 30 miles from John O'Groats, they offer unbeatable sea views over the Moray Firth — sea, sky, and serenity as far as the eye can see. These are not your average pods. With high-end finishes, two double bedrooms, sleek bathrooms, open-plan dining and lounge spaces, and even a full-sized, high-spec kitchen including a butler sink and dishwasher, they have everything you need to relax and recharge in style. Each pod sleeps up to six, making them perfect for couples, families, or friends chasing unforgettable Scottish moments. Sip your morning coffee with the sunrise or toast the day's adventures under the stars on the fabulously spacious decks — and if you're lucky, you might even catch the Northern Lights! So whether you're soaking up sunsets, road-tripping the NC500, or simply craving peace and comfort, experience the magic of the Highlands at Craiglea and see why their guests call this their favourite stop on the NC500. Book now and experience Highland glamping, redefined, on your NC500 road trip. 5. The Old School Restaurant & Rooms © Supplied by Local businesses Overlooking Loch Inchard, The Old School Restaurant and Rooms has one of the most iconic and breathtaking views along the NC500. A hidden gem built in 1871, it offers a unique setting for your stay in the Highlands and is a family run establishment renowned for its excellent food and outstanding service. The restaurant has a fully stocked bar and is open for those that just wish to have a drink and soak up the stunning view or a drink before dinner in the restaurant. The restaurant offers locally sourced produce with a set menu and there are a variety of special dishes put on daily. 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The Independent
a day ago
- The Independent
The best spa hotels in Glasgow for rest, relaxation and pampering
There's enough in Glasgow to warrant years of exploration. To the west, the Finnieston Crane and Zaha Hadid-designed Riverside Museum lord over the Clyde; in the east, the Cathedral, Necropolis and Merchant City bars await. Not to mention live music: this Unesco City of Music hosts most of Scotland 's major venues (and therefore major artists). Celtic Connections festival, Glasgow Jazz festival and a lively grassroots scene mean that you'll find a quality gig somewhere, 365 days a year. It's thrilling, yes, but it can also be tiring, so booking a spa hotel makes sense. These range from small and simple to positively sybaritic, with sounds and scents inspired by the Scottish coast. Glasgow girls (and boys) rarely slack off on their beauty routines, so you'll find plenty of hotels offering makeup, nails, hair and more – bridal parties can prepare for their closeups at legendary wedding venues such as Òran Mór or House for an Art Lover. Looking for more hotels in Glasgow? Explore the best hotels close to Glasgow airport and the very best hotels in Glasgow with our lists. Best spa hotels in Glasgow 2025 At a glance 1. Kimpton Blythswood Square Hotel & Spa The five-star Kimpton may be perfectly positioned for Glasgow sights such as the Mackintosh Tearooms and Kelvingrove Park, but the Hebridean-inspired spa makes this a destination in itself. The six thermal rooms include an amethyst steam room, tepidarium and snow shower, and there are two saunas and three therapy pools. Overwhelmed by choice? Follow one of the four suggested 'journeys' towards invigoration or relaxation. Seaweed-based skincare is provided by Lewis-based brand Ishga; choose from body wraps, massages or even a seaweed bath. Afterwards, feast upon Shetland mussels and Cumbrae oysters at seafood restaurant Iasg. 2. Revolver hotel This urban-chic hotel is at the centre of the fashionable Merchant City, surrounded by cocktail bars and brunch spots such as the popular Wilson Street Pantry. It's pitched at young and solo travellers, with strong wifi, a juice bar, dormitories and Japanese-style pod rooms (alongside more typical private rooms and a serviced apartment). Guests get a discount for the spa, which has a sauna and rooftop hot tub. The treatment list is short but has all the classics: massages, hot stones and reflexology. 3. Glasgow Argyle Hotel The Argyle is well-placed for the bars of Finnieston – as well as for gigs, being a convenient 20-minute walk from the SEC, Armadillo and Hydro. After a night of rocking out, you'll want to relax. Head to the Savannah Day Spa, where guests gain complimentary access to a 15-metre heated pool, Jacuzzi, sauna and steam room. If you're feeling more active, there's a fully equipped gym: reward yourself afterwards with a massage and facial in the treatment rooms. Replenish your energy with a pub-style dinner followed by a wine or single malt at the hotel bar. Address: 27 Washington St, Glasgow G3 8AZ 4. Glasgow Marriott Hotel The Marriott is ideal for walking to gigs at the Scottish Events Campus, but it's worth staying a couple more nights, as it has one of the most comprehensive spas in the city. Of note are the beauty treatments: hair removal, eyebrow and eyelash treatments, manicures, spray tans and dermaplaning, making this suited to a bridal party. Not to forget the bride and groom, the 'Cinderella & Black Tie' couples' facial exfoliates and tightens skin before the big day. If you're just looking to unwind, you'll find all the classic body treatments and spa facilities available. 5. The Alamo Guest House hotel Glasgow addresses don't get much fancier than this. This family-run B&B occupies a four-storey home overlooking Kelvingrove Park, with Kelvingrove Museum and the Hogwarts-esque Glasgow University just minutes away. High-ceilinged rooms preserve the building's Victorian wood panelling and moulded cornices, complementing them with antique desks, four-poster beds and Harris Tweed furnishings. Surprisingly, it manages to squeeze in an elegant, dark wood-panelled treatment room: the menu comprises Indian-style head massages, a signature facial and aromatherapy, hot stone or bamboo massages. Wedding packages are available. 6. Crowne Plaza Glasgow hotel The hulking, glass-fronted Crowne Plaza is a favourite for concert-goers, who can practically walk to the Hydro in their robe and slippers. Or you can stay in, and admire the ever-changing colours of the Clyde Arc (affectionately known as the 'Squinty Bridge') from your clean-lined, businesslike room. There's a gym, pool, steam room and sauna, plus treatments provided by Riverside Beauty. Choose from relaxing wellness options such as a Swedish massage or an age-resist facial, or get gig-ready with false lashes, make-up and a manicure. 7. The Address hotel The wellness centre at this retro-cool, city-centre hotel is small but perfectly formed. The gym comes with free weights and machines, including a Versa functional trainer for perfecting your lat pulldowns. Afterwards, chill in the plunge pool or loll, lizard-like, on the heated loungers. The highlight, however, is the Himalayan-style sauna, with an entire wall built from pink salt bricks, which claim to rejuvenate your body using negative ions. It's the perfect preparation for a busy day of shopping on nearby Buchanan Street, known as Glasgow's 'Style Mile.' 8. Glynhill Hotel & Spa This Renfrew hotel is just four minutes' drive from Glasgow Airport and an ideal upgrade to the usual generic airport hotel experience. Ensure quality sleep by soaking away stress in the spa (complimentary for guests), where you'll find a Greek-inspired indoor pool, gym, sauna and steam room. For total relaxation, book a treatment. A deep-tissue massage or reflexology session will get you in the best possible pre-flight shape; a manicure and eye treatment will give you looks to match. Perhaps make a day of it and arrive early for a Scottish Afternoon Tea, including haggis bonbons, Scotch eggs, Tunnock's treats and optional house whisky. 9. Parklands Hotel & Country Club This Newton Mearns hotel is somewhat south of the city centre, but close to the nine-hole Mearns Castle golf course and the lovely Rouken Glen (voted the UK's best park in 2016). The spa makes the most of the extra real estate, with a 20-metre heated pool divided into sections for families or serious swimmers. You'll also find a hydrotherapy pool and two saunas at different temperatures. The Beauty Spot Spa offers massages and facials using Neal's Yard aromatherapy. And you'll find a range of classes and personal trainers available to book at the huge gym. 10. Doubletree by Hilton Glasgow Strathclyde hotel The business park setting might not be the most inspiring setting for a hotel, but this outpost of the Doubletree brand is well placed for a family day out at M&D's theme park or the Time Capsule Waterpark (when it reopens in late 2025). Plus, it's a steal. After spending all day running after the kids, switch off with a massage, mud wrap or facial in one of the five treatment rooms. Alternatively, sweat away stress with a free fitness class or a trip to one of the two saunas. Why trust us The hotels featured in this list have been carefully selected by The Independent's expert travel writers, each with a deep knowledge of the destinations they cover. Our contributors either live in these locations or visit frequently, ensuring a personal and informed perspective. When picking which hotels to include, they consider their own experience staying in the hotels and evaluate location, facilities, service and all the other details that make for an exceptional stay for all types of traveller. FAQs When is the best time to visit Glasgow? The summer months of June, July and August in Glasgow mean better weather, longer days and green parks to explore. It's also festival season: try TRNSMT Festival, Glasgow Mela and the West End Festival if you fancy a lively day (or night) out. The winter months bring shorter, darker days and colder weather, but fewer crowds and cheaper accommodation. December is always popular, however, with Christmas markets, lights and Hogmanay celebrations. How many days do I need? Around two to three days is a good length of time to explore the highlights of Glasgow. This might include attractions such as Kelvingrove Art Gallery & Museum and Kelvingrove Park, Glasgow Cathedral, the Glasgow Necropolis and The Burrell Collection. There's also time to explore the city centre, including Buchanan Street, the Gallery of Modern Art – and even take a street art tour; Glasgow is home to 30 beautiful murals. The city's compact nature makes it wonderfully walkable, particularly around the West End and city centre. A third day could also incorporate a trip to Loch Lomond or Stirling Castle. What are the nicest areas to stay? Glasgow's leafy West End is a great choice for culture lovers, with the Kelvingrove Museum and Botanic Gardens close by. The city centre is ideal for first-time visitors to the city and short-stays, with easy access to many major attractions, bars and restaurants. Elsewhere, the Merchant City is a good option for nightlife and foodies, as is Finnieston, which is home to cool bars, concert halls and has a creative vibe.
Times
a day ago
- Times
Eight of the best pubs in Edinburgh — chosen by our beer expert
Drinking in Edinburgh on summer nights can be a magical experience. It never quite gets properly dark, and the pubs open late. Especially at the height of the festival, it's quite easy to find yourself falling into bed just as the sun comes up. Scottish pubs have a slightly different vibe from their English counterparts. For one thing, whisky can be as big a draw as beer — maybe even bigger. Edinburgh's traditional Victorian pubs often have mahogany-back bars crammed precariously with bottles of the stuff. The space tends to be long and narrow, with the bar running down most of one side and a lengthy line of tables down the other. Ceilings are often high and walls are covered with mirrors, wood carvings and prints that feel a little more classy than the buy-it-by-the-yard vintage beer ads and foxhunting scenes more common south of the border. Many still seem to be missing the dense fug that filled the air before the 2006 smoking ban came in. I could easily have included eight of these traditional Victorian pubs here — the Bow Bar is a perfect example of the style, though I've left it out because I included it in my pick of the UK's best pubs in February. But there are others in this line-up, among a more eclectic mix — some tourist favourites with one or two more unusual, perhaps even controversial choices, that the festival crowds generally don't colonise in August. Victorian gin palaces were often considered gaudy and brash, especially by those who thought they were too good to drink in them. Really they were intended as palatial spaces that made for a heightened drinking experience but would still feel welcoming to casual visitors. The Café Royal, built in 1863, pulls off that difficult feat. The oval central bar evokes top Manhattan hotels, but images of notable Scottish historical figures in stained glass and tall paintings never let you forget you're in Edinburgh. I'm not sure anywhere else could achieve this balance of grandeur and approachability. When you leave, don't miss the Guildford Arms, just around the corner. 19 West Register Street; Back in 1710 Summerhall was a brewery, but in 1916 it made way for the Royal (Dick) Veterinary College, named after its 19th-century founder, William Dick. Since 2011, when the 'Dick Vet' college moved, it's been an arts centre and a key venue for the Edinburgh Fringe. The Royal Dick is a pub and courtyard in the centre of the complex. There's an on-site distillery and in 2012 Barney's Beer revived brewing here too, with the tongue-in-cheek claim of being 'Edinburgh's longest standing non-continuously operating brewery'. Theatre cafés are rarely memorable but the Dick, while being clean and modern, also pays homage to its history, with animal bones and lab apparatus among the many interesting specimens and artefacts around walls. A relaxed yet stimulating place, it is of course six deep at the bar during the festival. But it's worth timing a visit for when the show before the one you're planning to see has just started. 1 Summerhall; • The UK's 10 best proper pubs — chosen by our new beer expert Rose Street is famous for its pub crawl, beloved of rugby clubs and student societies. Most start at the Abbotsford, which makes sense as a first stop because it has an air of sober calm, aloof from the silliness further down. If it were a person, it would be one of those tweed-clad lairds who can tell you everything about whisky but never seems to get drunk. The gleaming central bar dominates the space; the tables squeeze in around it. The beers feature a solid selection of Scottish craft brewers in cask and keg, such as Cromarty and the local hero Campervan, but the whiskies are the star of the show, listed on wall-hung chalkboards beneath the beautifully corniced ceiling. Follow the local tradition of ordering a dram and a half-pint, then settle into a space that was once home to the drunken scoundrels who created Scotland's mid-20th century literary renaissance.3-5 Rose Street; At first, Bennets feels like an ordinary pub. There are no airs and graces, no sense that this is a special or important place. Buy a pint of Harviestoun's masterful Schiehallion or a taster flight of single malts and settle in, feeling at home in just the way a good, well-run pub makes you feel. And then you notice the selection of malts is much bigger than you thought, illuminated in lines on the original Victorian back bar. You notice the stained-glass windows shining at the front; the carved wooden arches behind you framing tall mirrors, bracketed by scenes from Greek mythology; the maps under the glass-topped tables. And you realise this is a hallowed place. Almost entirely preserved as it was in the Victorian era, Bennets wears its listed status and detailed elegance lightly. 8 Leven Street; You won't find this place in many guides to Edinburgh pubs. The first time I went, the taxi driver kept checking to make sure this was definitely the pub I wanted and told me to be careful. Those who miss the point of pubs such as this would call it 'rough'. The tables may be sticky and the music deafeningly loud, but the service is disarmingly friendly and the playlist superb. The flags covering the walls suggest an international crowd of devoted regulars. Apparently it's a little calmer these days than at the height of its notoriety, but even on a quiet afternoon you get the sense that the place is only taking a breather until the partying starts again. Order a pint of ice-cold Heineken if you must, but you probably really want to do shots here. Don't resist.58 Constitution Street; • Nine of the best pubs in London — chosen by our beer expert Lists of pubs such as this always divide opinion. And I don't think I've ever come across a pub as divisive as the Canny Man's. Some who know it will be aghast to see it celebrated here. Others will argue it's not a pub at all. Built in 1871 and run by the Kerr family ever since, this is a place with its own rules and customs. If you're looking for attentive service or a place to charge your phone, you should probably keep walking. But if you're someone who embraces the unpredictability, randomness and eccentricity of the British pub, ask nicely for the bloody mary, or a perfectly kept pint of 80 Shilling, and be patient. There's plenty to look at on the walls while you wait. 'Loved by those who know it and hated by those who do not understand it,' concludes the author known only as 'Tom', a regular who was employed to write the pub's history/guide/rulebook. 237 Morningside Road; This is a tiny space often described as hidden, even though it's only five minutes' walk from the middle of the shopping district in the Old Town. A simple Victorian pub with wood panelling, burgundy seating and one wall that looks as if it's made of old spirits casks, Kay's is arguably the city's most beloved cask-ale pub, with a constantly changing selection of the best Scottish brewers, as well as perennial favourites such as Timothy Taylor's Landlord. Online complaints that it's too small or too busy recall the story of US tourists complaining that the castle was built too far from the train station. 39 Jamaica Street West; • The eight best pubs in Norfolk — chosen by our expert The pub made famous by Ian Rankin in his Rebus novels would be noteworthy even if the fictional detective had never set foot in here. The author is still a regular — he has his mail delivered here — but Rankin is merely the latest in a long line of literary figures who have taken their liquid inspiration in 'the Ox', and it's easy to see why. Originally a corridor with rooms either side, it's now been opened up on the side housing the main bar. This is where the locals drink; if you want a seat, you'll probably need to try the separate room opposite. The decor is pared back, almost minimalist. This helps create a calm space, a place of refuge to enjoy a mid-afternoon pint of Deuchars. 8 Young Street;
