If you’re looking for ideas for the perfect British getaway this year, you’re likely to find some of the best options right here on your doorstep. The beautiful British countryside offers a wealth of options, from rolling hills and breathtaking views to picturesque villages and cities brimming with history. Peach Pubs is home to a collection of award-winning pubs, all situated in stunning locations in the heart of the country, where there are some real gems to discover…
Whether you’re looking for a country stay in a sleepy village tucked up in glorious countryside, a chic boutique hotel for exciting city breaks, country pubs for leisurely walks rewarded by hearty fare, or bustling market towns for busy weekend getaways, Peach has a pub for every occasion. Each serves good quality, fresh, honest food in relaxed, welcoming surroundings, with great friendly service on tap right from the moment you step foot through the door.
The Bear & Ragged Staff, Oxfordshire
Within minutes of Oxford, in the pretty village of Cumnor, you’ll find The Bear & Ragged Staff. With it’s ancient fireplaces, flagstone floors and mullioned windows with carved lintels, this pub is a true Tudor beauty.
The comfortable eatery, conservatory and South-facing terrace provide spaces for every mood, perfect for unwinding with your favourite tipple or trying something delicious from their seasonal menu. Once the night draws to a close, winding stairs lead to cosy bedrooms with arched doorways and Tudor beamed ceilings. Each with comfortable beds, quality linen, luxurious bathrooms, and adorned with locally-sourced antiques.
What’s nearby?
- Historical Oxford with its museums, colleges, punting and walking tours – 15 minutes by car
- Submerge yourself in nature at Farmoor Reservoir just down the road or the Botanical Gardens – 20 minutes by car
- Designer shopping at Bicester Village – 20 minutes by car
Contact: 01865 862329
The Fleece, Witney
Overlooking the expanse of Witney’s beautiful Church Green, The Fleece is a fine Georgian building, originally the home of Clinch’s brewery and reputedly a favourite watering-hole of Dylan Thomas when he lived in South Leigh.
There’s a bustling bar and cosy restaurant serving superb quality, seasonal food, as well as 10 stylish ensuite bedrooms. All are comfortably furnished with good beds, woollen throws, flat-screen TV and free Wi-Fi. Several have lovely views out onto Church Green.
What’s nearby?
- Cotswold Wildlife Park & Gardens – 20 minutes
- Winston Churchill’s birthplace, Blenheim Palace – 15 minutes by car
- Oxford – 20 minutes along the A40
- Beautiful Cotswolds scenery – on the doorstep
Contact: 01933 892270
The High Field Town House, Edgbaston
Tucked inside an elegant Victorian villa in leafy Edgbaston village, this elegant boutique hotel brings a touch of country house charm and comfort to a corner of town that’s a really chic place to eat, drink and stay.
Twelve individually designed en-suite bedrooms, each a little different to the last, have their own character and style, with hand-picked antiques, hand-painted English wallpapers and fabulous furnishings. Bathrooms have powerful rain showers and three of the premium rooms feature free-standing roll-top painted baths in the sweeping bay windows. Pop next door to The High Field, a smart gastropub serving fresh seasonal British food and drink all day.
What’s nearby?
- Birmingham city centre with its fabulous shops and restaurants, fantastic street entertainment and stunning architecture – just 5 minutes by car
- First class county cricket at Edgbaston – on the doorstep
Contact: 0121 227 7068
The Rose and Crown, Warwick
Tucked into the corner of Warwick’s Market Square, The Rose & Crown hums with life all day long. This friendly local is a favourite with the townspeople and a perfect spot for lunch, a relaxed dinner or a drink in the lively bar.
The pub has 13 rooms offering a mix of subtle luxury with wonderful home comforts; some nestle inside a little hide-away overlooking Warwick’s attractive Market Place, others are a staircase away above the pub. Find really good handmade beds, with fine Egyptian cotton sheets, and pure wool throws plus antique armoires and armchairs in each restfully decorated room.
What’s nearby?
- The historic market town of Warwick – a great base for exploring
- Warwick Castle and Warwick Races – both less than 10 minutes walk away
- Shakespeare’s Birthplace and the RSC – 10 minutes in the car
Contact: 01926 411117
The Richard Onslow, Cranleigh, Surrey
This grand old tile-hung pub on the high street of England’s biggest village has some wonderful period features like the beautiful brick inglenook, which make the pub almost irresistible. It buzzes from morning until night with happy locals drinking and dining – a real capital tavern of the old school.
Upstairs are ten beautiful boutique bedrooms, with sloping ceilings, exposed beams and old lime plastered walls. Each has antique furniture, great beds and luxurious throws, plus good bathrooms with power showers.
A bolthole on the edge of beautiful Surrey countryside.
What’s nearby?
- Cranleigh High Street with its wealth of independent shops and a weekly market on Thursdays
- Excellent walking in the Surrey Hills
- Mountain biking in Peaslake or cycle to Shoreham on the disused Downs link railway
- National Trust’s Winkworth Arboretum & Leith Hill plus the picturesque village of Shere
Contact: 01483 274922
The Embankment, Bedford
Sitting right in the heart of Bedford’s beautifully landscaped Embankment, with wonderful views over the River Great Ouse, this imposing mock-Tudor landmark has 20 en suite bedrooms. Some have spectacular views over the river; all come with really comfortable beds, piles of soft pillows and sumptuous velvet throws finished with antique chandeliers and mirrors. A simple and restful look and a really relaxing stay.
What’s nearby?
- A mile of beautiful gardens to stroll through along The River Great Ouse
- Bedford Castle Mound & Museum & Art Gallery – a lovely walk away
- Woburn Safari Park & Go Ape plus the stunning Abbey – 20 minutes by car
- Snowzone and Airkicks Indoor Skydiving in Milton Keynes – 30 minutes in the car
Contact: 01234 261332
The Drummond at Albury, Albury, Surrey
Set in a tranquil setting with a stunning garden running down from the pretty 19th century pub to the River Tillingbourne at its foot, this is a place to hole up away from the outside world.
The low-ceilinged bar has nooks for sitting and nursing a pint of Shere Drop from the Surrey Hills Brewery which you can savour in front of a blazing fire, as well as a dining room serving delicious seasonal dishes.
Rooms are comfortably furnished with antiques, luxury linens, rain showers, some with roll-top baths for sinking into with a glass of bubbles.
What’s nearby?
- Silent Pool Gin Distillery on the Albury Estate
- Polesdon Lacey 1400 acre estate boasting stunning views over the Surrey Hills
- Albury Organic Vineyard, a small, family run biodynamic vineyard producing high quality organic English sparkling wine; the vineyard tour is a great way to spend an afternoon
- Hatchlands Park, 400 acres of rolling parkland and woodland make it one of the largest estates in the area, full of year-round seasonal colour
Contact: 01483 202039