Latest news with #BritanniaInn
Wales Online
28-06-2025
- Wales Online
This pub has been named the best in Wales in a village with some of the best views you will find
This pub has been named the best in Wales in a village with some of the best views you will find The National Pub and Bar Awards 2025, organised by Pub and Bar magazine, were held in London on Tuesday night, with pubs across the UK recognised. (Image: Britannia inn ) The charming little village of Llanmadoc sits above Cwm Ivy and Whiteford Sands. To the north is a nature reserve, to the south stunning Llangennith. But it's in the village itself you can find Wales' best pub. The beloved 17th-century Britannia Inn has been given the prestigious title at the 2025 National Pub and Bar Awards. Inside the pub you will find an inviting and original inglenook fireplace with a leg warming log burner. Whatever the time of year, the 17th century bar feels particularly cosy and welcoming with its low beamed ceilings, old tiled floor, exposed stone walls, and old wooden tables and chairs. (Image: Rob Scott ) The pub still has its original bread oven and in parts of the pub you can still see the old gas lamps. Article continues below The beams in the lounge are reputed to be from shipwrecks which were 'lanterned' ashore by wreckers for their valuable cargo. The bar serves a great menu with an extensive specials board also available and excellent service. There is also a restaurant serving special set menus, a specials board, and an a la carte menu that runs on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturday evenings. They also serve a traditional Sunday roast, along with locally sourced Gower Salt Marsh Lamb, Selwyn's seaweed, Swansea smoked salmon and Gower gold Ale. If the weather's good, the pub also has an extensive garden area with children's play equipment , a decking area and views across the Loughor estuary which are to die for. And it's a particularly beautiful part of the world for a walk. (Image: Martin Edwards/Creative Commons ) Head up the hill from the Britannia Inn pub and you will see a sign saying Whiteford Burrows and a lane going along between two cottages. It takes you down the side of a valley with lush views over the Loughor estuary and across to the Carmarthenshire coast. At the bottom of the hill take a left through the trees, leading to Cwm Ivy where you will find a café and some cute little cottages. (Image: Google maps ) Turn right and a path will take you down to Whiteford Sands and acres of pine forest that line the huge expanse of sand. Article continues below There is plenty to explore here, including Whiteford Lighthouse, the only sea-washed cast iron lighthouse in the UK, but if the lure of the pub at the end of the walk is calling, then head left, up the hill, to the top of Llanmadoc village. As far as circular pub walks go, circles, pubs and walks don't get much better than this.
South Wales Argus
25-06-2025
- Business
- South Wales Argus
Gower pub named among the UK's best at national awards
The 2025 National Pub & Bar Awards took place on Tuesday (June 24), showcasing the finest establishments from across the UK. Awards presented at the event included: National Pub & Bar of the Year Industry's Choice Award Pub Group of the Year Bar Group of the Year The Tyrrells Tyrrellbly Good Taste Award The best pubs and bars for each region were also revealed as part of the national awards. 'Pubs have really been struggling, so it's amazing for this event to shine a spotlight on pubs and show that they really are pillars of the community, the backbone of Britain.' Here are all the winners from last night's National Pub & Bar Awards. — Pub & Bar Magazine (@PubandBarMag) June 25, 2025 The 2025 National Pub & Bar Awards winners The Bull, located in Charlbury, received the top honour, claiming the National Pub & Bar of the Year Award. Other awards handed out at the event included: Industry's Choice Award : The Devonshire : The Devonshire Pub Group of the Year : Camerons : Camerons Bar Group of the Year : Mr Fogg's : Mr Fogg's The Tyrrells Tyrrellbly Good Taste Award: The Tollemache Arms While the best pubs and bars in each area of the UK was also revealed: East Midlands : The Tollemache Arms : The Tollemache Arms East of England : The Gunton Arms : The Gunton Arms London : The Red Lion & Sun : The Red Lion & Sun North East : The Black Swan Inn : The Black Swan Inn North West : The Bull's Head : The Bull's Head Northern Ireland : Dundrum Inn : Dundrum Inn North Scotland : The Barrelman : The Barrelman South Scotland : Kenmuir Arms : Kenmuir Arms South East : The Bull, Charlbury : The Bull, Charlbury South West : The Beckford Arms : The Beckford Arms Wales : Britannia Inn : Britannia Inn West Midlands : The Wildmoor Oak : The Wildmoor Oak Yorkshire and the Humber: Pinnacle Sports & Games Best pubs and bars in Wales Meanwhile, several pubs and bars in Wales were named the best in their respective counties: Clwyd : The Griffin : The Griffin Dyfed : The Golden Lion : The Golden Lion Gwent : The Black Bear Inn : The Black Bear Inn Gwynedd : Yr Eagles : Yr Eagles Mid Glamorgan : The Rock Inn : The Rock Inn Powys : The Checkers : The Checkers South Glamorgan : Hare & Hounds : Hare & Hounds West Glamorgan: Britannia Inn Why the Britannia Inn is among the UK's best The Britannia Inn, located in Llanmadoc on the Gower Peninsula, claimed the Wales Pub & Bar of the Year gong at the national awards. The pub boasts a 4.4 (out of 5) rating on Tripadvisor from 1,108 reviews and has been described by visitors as a "lovely pub", "simply incredible" and the "Hidden Gem of the Gower". One person, commenting about the experience at the Britannia Inn, said: "Atmosphere was lovely, the food was delicious and service excellent! "It has been consistently good since we have visited a dozen times over the last six months." RECOMMENDED READING: Another added: "Fantastic staff, friendly atmosphere and food is exceptional! Family and pet friendly our little girl wanted to stay forever! "Thank you all at Britannia Inn for a great experience!" While a third visitor commented: "We visited the pub tonight whilst on holiday in the Gower after several recommendations in our cottage guest book and were not disappointed. "Superb menu and superb food with friendly service. Would strongly recommend."
Wales Online
25-06-2025
- Business
- Wales Online
Village's last surviving pub is named the best in Wales
Village's last surviving pub is named the best in Wales The awards were held to 'showcase how valuable pubs and bars are to the fabric of society' The best pub in Wales has been crowned at an awards ceremony (Image: CT ) A much-loved 17th century pub has been named the best in Wales. The National Pub & Bar Awards 2025, organised by Pub & Bar magazine, were held in London on Tuesday night, with pubs across the UK recognised. Among the awards given out was Wales Pub & Bar of the Year. And taking this year's honour was The Britannia Inn, in Llanmadoc, Swansea. The pub is a well-preserved late 17th century inn, and the only only survivor of four taverns that existed in the village in the early 1800s. The beams in the lounge of the Britannia Inn are reputed to be from shipwrecks which were 'lanterned' ashore by wreckers for their valuable cargo. Never miss a Swansea story by signing up to our newsletter here . The pub still has its original fireplace and bread oven. In addition in parts of the pub one can still see the original gas lamps. The Britannia Inn is presented with the award at the ceremony (Image: ) It serves up food and drink from local suppliers, including Gower Salt Marsh lamb, asparagus, Selwyn's seaweed, Swansea smoked salmon, and Gower Gold ale. Article continues below The awards looked at a number of elements that affect the customer journey, including marketing, digital presence, design, service, style of offer and investment. Britannia Inn in Gower has been named the best pub in Wales (Image: Google Maps ) Tristan O'Hana, editor of Pub & Bar magazine, said: "The aim of the National Pub & Bar Awards is simple. Article continues below "We want to showcase how brilliant these businesses are and how valuable pubs and bars are to the fabric of society across the whole of the UK. "It has never been harder in hospitality. Whether it's a countryside pub with rooms or a city centre bar showing live sport, these operations deserve widespread recognition and more customers – hopefully the National Pub & Bar Awards can help with both."
North Wales Chronicle
02-05-2025
- Entertainment
- North Wales Chronicle
Slip to the Brit beach run returns to Aberdyfi in May
The Slip to the Brit has been organised by Gary and Seona Loveman, who own the Britannia Inn, since 2022. The event has raised almost £5,000 for the Wales Air Ambulance in the past two years. Ms Loveman said: "It's a 'must do' in the diaries of residents, they have really embraced it." The event, which takes place on Saturday, May 3, sees people of all fitness levels take on the challenge. Some aim to complete the course at record speed, while others dress as their favourite character or walk their dog. Ms Loveman said: "People with all sorts of fitness levels can join in. "But of course, the more serious competitors will be looking to achieve a personal best. "However, there will be others who'll come down dressed as their favourite character, or with family and friends to walk their dog. "They will still put £10 in the bucket because they want to support the Charity." The event will begin at the boat launching slipway in Tywyn, off the seafront car park, and continues along the shoreline. It follows the wide, sandy beach, all the way round the corner into the estuary and back up the slipway at Dovey Yacht Club into Aberdyfi village. From there, you can see The Brit. Ms Loveman said: "It's quite a popular walk anyway, because of the fabulous scenery. "It's always sandy and yes, we have already checked, it will be low tide on the day." The event not only raises funds for the lifesaving service but also helps highlight Aberdyfi and businesses from the area. The 2024 run raised nearly £2,000 for Wales Air Ambulance Charity (Image: Wales Air Ambulance) She said: "There are six bars and restaurants along our stretch, and we all support each other. "There is no point in being competitive. "The more people we can attract to the area, the better it is for all of us. "So, we each do something a little different each day to encourage visitors and foodies. "On the day of Slip to the Brit, there will be live music with a home-grown musician." READ MORE: North Wales care home deputy manager completes new higher apprenticeship The last two events have raised nearly £5,000 for the Wales Air Ambulance. Elaine Orr, the charity's North West Wales regional fundraising manager, said: "Slip to the Brit is such a wonderful event. "We are so grateful to Gary and Seona for once again raising funds for our lifesaving service. "Each year, the wonderful community of Aberdyfi comes together not only to support our charity but local businesses too, which is so important. "Without events like this, we would not be able to continue to do what we do. "Every pound raised helps save lives."
Telegraph
10-04-2025
- Telegraph
The 15 best pubs in the Lake District
The Lake District is rich with atmospheric pubs and coaching inns, many seemingly unchanged for centuries – and that's their charm. Don't expect sleek looks and fancy sound systems; do expect toasty fires, well-worn chairs, beamed ceilings and a cheery scruffiness. In the remoter villages and dales many have beer gardens with cracking views. Most stock a good range of locally brewed beers, and several hold regular beer festivals. Look out for local gins; The Lakes Distillery, near Bassenthwaite Lake, also produces vodka and whisky. For further Lake District inspiration, see our guides to the area's best hotels, restaurants, things to do and walks. Use our expert guide to plan the perfect holiday in the Lake District. Find a pub by area Coniston and Langdale Outlying areas Keswick and the north Windermere and around Grasmere and Rydal Water Southern Lakeland Coniston and Langdale Old Dungeon Ghyll Anyone who has walked or climbed in the Lake District has heard of the Old Dungeon Ghyll - or ODG, as it's known - one of the area's classic walkers' watering holes. Its views are knock-out: Langdale Pikes on one side, Bowfell and Crinkle Crags on the other. The hotel part is rather staid, but you'll want the low-ceilinged Climbers Bar, a converted cow-barn with white-washed walls, blackened beams and, come winter, a huge fire in the range. Local ales, decent malts, live music in the week - occasionally an open-mic night - it's a real unreconstructed pub. Quiet it ain't. Britannia Inn The Britannia dominates the tiny village of Elterwater from its position perched above the bowling green. You'll spot it by its whitewashed walls and jaunty blue sailing-ship pub sign. Inside, it's cheerily traditional with low-ceilinged bar, wooden settles, copper-topped tables and red-leather stools. The local, hand-pumped ales usually include Coniston Brewery's Bluebird Bitter and Britannia Special, the latter produced specially for the pub. If it's warm, take a seat on the flagged terrace looking towards the river - where there's a pleasant riverside walk to Skelwith Bridge and back – and if sheep wander by, don't worry, you've not had one too many Specials. The Black Bull In the centre of Coniston village, this 17th-century former coaching inn is everything a dog- and family-friendly traditional Lakeland village hostelry should be: exposed stone walls, beams, slate flooring and log-burning stove, plus a large stone-flagged outside seating area for watching the world go by. The inn's big draw, however, is the on-site microbrewery (Coniston Brewing Company) producing award-winners such as Bluebird Bitter (in honour of water-speed record-holder Donald Campbell's boat that raced on Coniston Water), as well as pale ales, stouts and lagers. After a shimmy up the big local fell, Coniston Old Man, you'll deserve a pint of its namesake ale. Lanty Slee's This curious little place, built on the site of a former wayside chapel and overlooking Elterwater Common in Langdale, makes an intriguing alternative to typical Lakeland pubs. More bar than pub, it's a tiny two-room affair with open-timber ceiling, light-wood flooring and tables, and stools at the bar. Spirits and cocktails are its thing; it's named after an infamous 19th-century quarryman and smuggler, Lanty Slee, who hid numerous illicit stills throughout the local valleys. The bar produces its own range in his honour, including Langdale Gin, Moss Rigg (a single malt) and Wrynose (a honey and marmalade rum). Asian-style tapas and sharing boards are also offered. Outlying areas Wasdale Head Inn At the head of Wasdale, where the road runs out, for many mountain-lovers this is the heart of the real Lake District; it's surrounded by some of the Lakes' most majestic fells including Great Gable and Scafell Pike. Not surprisingly, it's a hearty, outdoors-adventurers' sort of pub with flagged floors, open beams, cosy wooden booths and vintage photographs of dare-devil rock-climbers. Serving around six local ales, plus a robust menu, it's just the spot to share tales of your day's exploits and plan the next. In the summer, there's a riverside terrace. The Old Crown Britain's first co-operatively owned pub, sitting opposite the village green in Hesket Newmarket, is simple, unpretentious and cosily cluttered – think assorted bric-a-brac, mountaineering gear, wood-burning stove – with a warm and friendly welcome. And there's a co-operatively owned brewery in the converted barn at the rear to ensure it never runs out of beer, from the full-bodied stout, Black Sail, and smooth Helvellyn Gold to the fruity Doris' 90th Birthday Ale. There are a couple of separate dining areas serving simple, filling food. Friday early evening can be noisy, when many of the shareholders gather to put the world to rights. Keswick and the north The Pocket Squeezed in between bigger cafes and giftshops on popular Lake Road – which does, indeed, lead to Derwentwater – this bright little space, with its big and inviting street-facing windows, is well-named. You walk straight off the street into a room crammed with scrubbed-wood tables and chairs beneath open girders, an open-kitchen serving up sourdough pizzas at the far end and a tiny bar with 10 beers (mainly local) on tap, bottled Belgian and German beers, plus Cumbrian gins amongst the spirits. There's likely to be a live music session underway, too. Not a place for a romantic tryst. Kirkstile Inn Sitting between quiet Loweswater and slightly busier Crummock Water, on a wiggle of narrow roads, this place gets little passing trade: you have to know it's there. A typical Lakeland coaching inn, all whitewashed walls and black window mouldings, it's everything you'd expect with beamed ceilings, exposed-stone walls, horse brasses and copper kettles, solid wood tables and red-cushioned settles. Choose one of the six real ales – their own-brew Loweswater Gold a sure-fire winner – and take a seat in one of the cosy bars. There's also a riverside terrace with, opposite, the slopes of the magnificent Melbreak Fell. The Bitter End This aptly named, real-ale pub in truth gets its name from the nearby 'Bitter Beck'. But it's a fortuitous name for a solid, traditional-English pub - plenty of dark wood, vintage photographs of Cockermouth and advertising signs – with around six hand-pulled cask ales and a wide range of bottled craft beers, from both the UK and abroad including Belgium, Austria and Russia. There's also a growing list of craft gins. Food is traditional and filling, and if you come on Sunday, the lunchtime roasts are available into the evening. Windermere and around The Mortal Man Although only two miles from busy Windermere, Troutbeck village is mostly off the tourist radar yet enjoys fine views down to the lake with the Mortal Man's beer garden having the best. Soak up the evening sun here after a day's walking – you can do the Kentmere round or Wansfell Pike from the pub – or relax in the bar, an old-fashioned affair of beams, red carpet, solid-wood tables and open fires. Locally brewed cask ales are supplemented by changing guest beers, plus there's a good range of craft ciders. There's regular folk music or hunker down over a game of chess. Tower Bank Arms It comes as no surprise that this cottagey looking pub, with its neat green-and-white paintwork, roses around the door, stack of logs and large clock over the porch, featured in one of Beatrix Potter's books: The Tale of Jemima Puddle-Duck. Indeed, the author's house is just up the road. Inside it's as tickety-boo as you'd expect with oak beams, slate floor and jolly fire in an old black range. The five regularly changing beers come from within a two- to three-mile radius and there's a small beer garden to one side. Hole in t'Wall Proudly declaring itself the oldest pub in Bowness – and who is to argue, with a pedigree going back to 1612 – this whitewashed inn (formerly New Hall Inn) tucked away from the crowds in 'Old Bowness' is resolutely unreconstructed. With stone-flagged floors, black-treacle-coloured oak panelling, wonky low beams, varnished wood tables and sturdy chairs, every space is crammed with bric-a-brac: brass pans, copper kettles, stuffed rabbits and painted plates while tankards and china chamber pots hang from the ceiling. The bar serves Stockport-brewery Robinson's ales plus keeps a good range of gins and an expanding range of rums. Food is homely – the ale pie and ploughman's very popular – and there's a heated outside terrace. Grasmere and Rydal Water Tweedies Bar If it's summer, you'll be out in this pub's beer garden, one of the largest in the Lake District and perfectly pitched for dozing in the afternoon or catching sunsets; it it's winter, you'll be cosying up around the log-burning stove in the slate-flagged bar. In the centre of pretty Grasmere, Tweedies Bar has a rugged, cheery feel, and welcomes dogs, children, muddy walkers as well as hardened beer-drinkers – the bar stocks around 15 real and craft ales (predominantly northern and Scottish), ciders and perries. Check out the beer mats plastering the walls, and if you're hungry, try one of its famous burgers or sharing platters. Southern Lakeland The Hare and Hounds In quiet Levens village, this 16th-century former coaching inn has been injected with new life, and buzz, by its young owners without losing its traditional charm. A series of snugs with slate and polished-wood floors, rough plaster walls and low-beamed ceilings surround the tiny traditional oak bar. The whole is brightened with vintage-y chairs and occasional pea-green walls. Five local cask ales are usually on offer as well as craft beers plus some inventive cocktails. Modern comfort food – hand-made pizzas a speciality – is served in the breezy dining room, created out of a former garage, and there's an attractive tiered terrace with views to Whitbarrow Scar. The Masons Arms This is a traditional Lakeland pub in every sense: whitewashed former 17th-century farmhouse, low-beamed ceilings, flagged and wooden floors, open fires and a series of small snugs furnished with mis-matched chairs, wooden settles and scrubbed tables. The creamy walls are crammed with mirrors and hunting prints. As a brewery-managed pub (Stockport-based Robinson's), cask ales are the brewery's own plus regularly changing guest beers. There's a good wine and gin selection, including the local, long-established damson gin. Even on chilly days, people can't resist its terrace with far-reaching views over the peaceful Winster valley. Newcomers beware: it sits on a devilish hairpin bend. How we choose Every bar, venue or experience in this curated list has been tried and tested by our destination expert, who has visited to provide you with their insider perspective. We cover a range of budgets and styles, from casual pubs to exquisite cocktail bars – to best suit every type of traveller – and consider the service, drinks, atmosphere and price in our recommendations. We update this list regularly to keep up with the latest openings and provide up to date recommendations. About our expert Helen Pickles is Telegraph Travel's Lake District expert. An upbringing of wet caravanning holidays to climb its fells and shriek at the coldness of lake-paddling started a curious love affair. She can still be left breathless by its beauty – and not just the uphill slogs.
