The 7 Best Cosy UK Pubs to Warm Up This Winter

With winter well and truly underway, and the festive season approaching, you’ll likely be digging out and dusting off your winter coats and hats to evade the chill. As the weather cools, the appeal of cosy, intimate spaces becomes all the more appealing and local pubs have become a haven for many people thanks to their fireplaces, comfy seating and old-fashioned decor. There’s no better feeling than relaxing in a chair with a hot drink beside the fire as your dog unfurls at your feet, and you can find similar vibes in our list of the cosiest UK pubs to help keep you warm and toasty this winter. Without further ado, let’s take a look at the cosiest pubs that will likely become your new local winter favourite:

7. The Blue Anchor Inn – Barry, Wales

This 13th-century pub takes cosiness and comfort to the next level, with a roaring fire,

selection of ales, old-fashioned rustic decor and the best seasonal menus. In the summer, the Blue Anchor’s garden is in full bloom, and is perfect for a refreshing drink and soaking up the rays– in the winter, the pub is decorated with festive ornaments, and the dim lighting and comfortable seating showcases the true ambience of a hearty Welsh countryside pub.

6. The Cricketers – Cardiff, Wales

The perfect pub for all-year-round cosiness! The Cricketers in the affluent Pontcanna suburb of the Welsh capital has warmness and cosiness right at its core, showcased indoors and outdoors with the crackling fire and the twinkling lights above the beer garden. It’s also not a bad place for a Sunday Roast, and its hearty dishes pair perfectly with the selection of local ales, premium wines and beers.

5. Whites Tavern – Belfast, Northern Ireland

Serving drool-worthy dishes in a 17th-century building that proudly showcases its rich history through its decor and traditions, the Whites Tavern has all the hallmarks of a quaint and homely pub– sit by the fire with an ice-cold pint of Guinness or Irish Whiskey, enjoy a hearty homemade meal and even take your dog with you! Whites Tavern is an inclusive and welcoming place that is perfect for all types of guests, and will give you the perfect warm and cosy vibes this winter.

4. The Belle – Glasgow, Scotland

If there’s one thing you can be sure of with most pubs in Scotland, it’s that Hogmanay and Christmas are proudly celebrated even in the smallest local pubs, and The Belle in Glasgow exudes festive charm and cosy vibes that will warm your soul to the very core. Its open fire keeps you and your doggos toasty and relaxed while you sip on craft beers and guest wine in the comfort of a dimly-lit tavern-like pub. Bliss!

3. The Albion – Islington, London

Come inside The Albion from the cold and bask in the warm orange lights as you order your favourite tipple, or head out to the garden and warm up with the outdoor heaters–this pub really is cosiness personified. You may commonly associate quaint pubs with the countryside, but The Albion brings rustic charm to the streets of London with its fireplace, hearty Sunday Lunches and wisteria-adorned exterior. 

2. Dirty Dick’s – Edinburgh, Scotland

Stepping inside this pub feels like you have been transported back to medieval times, with the stone flooring, flickering candles and intimate style– truly the epitome of cosy and inviting. Enjoy traditional Scotch under the twinkling Christmas lights and dim orange lighting, and bring your dog too! In the summer, the outdoor terrace is alive with locals and tourists who may have heard about Dirty Dick’s and want to experience it for themselves–trust us, you really don’t want to miss out on dining and drinking here. You truly won’t find anywhere like it in Edinburgh!

1. The Hollybush Pub – Hampstead, London

With the warm glow of candles, we’re sure you’re probably feeling cosy just by looking at this picture, so you can imagine what The Hollybush Pub is like in person upon visiting. This Rosette-awarded gastropub keeps guests comfortable, relaxed and welcomed through its inviting ambience, masterfully prepared dishes and charming indoor and outdoor decor. Sip, dine, chat or simply enjoy the warming fire during the cold months at this pub that welcomes guests of all kinds, whether human or dog.