The Good Pub Guide: Historic House Edition
From roaring fires and local ales to award-winning menus and countryside views, these character-filled pubs are all located just a short stroll or drive from Britain’s most beautiful historic houses and stately homes. Whether you're visiting for a cultural day out or a weekend away, here’s where to toast your visit in style.
1. The Royal Oak, Hilltop – Near Beaulieu
📍 Distance: 5-minute walk from Beaulieu village
🍴 Setting: Hidden away in the New Forest, this 19th-century pub is a local favourite with low beams, log fires, and a dog-friendly beer garden.
🧾 Menu Highlights: Real ales, classic fish & chips, hearty roasts, and seasonal specials.
✨ Why go: It’s the perfect rustic stop after exploring the Beaulieu estate and National Motor Museum.
2. The Killingworth Castle, Wootton – Near Blenheim Palace
📍 Distance: 2 miles from Blenheim Palace
🍴 Setting: A stylish, 17th-century inn with 3 AA rosettes, just outside Woodstock.
🧾 Menu Highlights: Organic, locally sourced fare including wild venison, seasonal veg, and house-baked bread.
✨ Why go: Ideal for visitors wanting a refined food experience after discovering the grandeur of Blenheim.
3. The Whyte Melville, Boughton – Near Boughton House
📍 Distance: Less than 5 minutes on foot from Boughton House
🍴 Setting: A Georgian pub with a modern interior, log burners, and a peaceful walled garden.
🧾 Menu Highlights: Elevated pub classics, Sunday roasts, and seasonal three-course menus.
✨ Why go: A refined yet relaxed spot to reflect on Boughton’s baroque architecture and formal gardens.
👉 Book your visit to Boughton House
4. The Ship Inn, Stonehaven – Near Dunnottar Castle
📍 Distance: 2.9 miles via scenic coastal road
🍴 Setting: Overlooking the harbour, this historic pub boasts sea views and a traditional stone bar.
🧾 Menu Highlights: Local seafood, bar staples, and warming winter dishes.
✨ Why go: There’s nothing like a sea breeze and a pint after visiting the dramatic cliffside ruins of Dunnottar.
👉 Book your visit to Dunnottar Castle
5. The Plaisterers Arms, Winchcombe – Near Sudeley Castle
📍 Distance: A short stroll from Sudeley Castle
🍴 Setting: A 15th-century coaching inn with a B&B, real ale selection, and leafy garden.
🧾 Menu Highlights: Pub classics done well—think steak & ale pies, roasts, and jacket potatoes.
✨ Why go: A perfect extension of the history-soaked visit to one of England’s most romantic castles.
6. The Peacock at Rowsley, Peak District – Near Haddon Hall
📍 Distance: 2.3 miles from Haddon Hall
🍴 Setting: A 17th-century Grade II-listed manor turned boutique hotel with AA-rosette dining.
🧾 Menu Highlights: Fillet of Derbyshire beef, tasting menus, craft cocktails, and refined afternoon tea.
✨ Why go: Formerly owned by the Manners family of Haddon Hall, this is a deeply atmospheric and luxurious heritage pairing.
👉 Book your visit to Haddon Hall
7. The Elveden Inn, Elveden – Near Elveden Hall
📍 Distance: A short walk from Elveden Hall
🍴 Setting: A former coaching inn on the Elveden Estate, now a smart country pub with rooms.
🧾 Menu Highlights: Estate venison, Suffolk lamb, game terrine, sticky toffee pudding, and local gin.
✨ Why go: This elegant inn serves produce from the estate itself - perfect for deepening your connection to Elveden’s land and history.
