The 25 Best Pubs for a Seaside Pint in the UK

Whether it’s a welcome pause after a countryside ramble, a cosy lunch on a blustery coastal day, or a sun-soaked base in the height of summer, there’s a certain magic to a seaside pub. Salty air, weather-worn walls, and a sea view set the scene perfectly for swapping stories over a pint. From Cornwall to the Scottish Highlands, here are the best places in the UK to settle in with a seaside drink.

The ultimate guide to the UK's best coastal pubs

25. Zetland Arms, Kingsdown

This is a pretty special pub, sitting on a shingle beach that’s flanked by towering chalk white cliffs. It’s no fancy gastropub – the menu features all the fried fish favourites and steaming bowls of chowder – but it’s just what you want when beside the seaside. And the beer is fantastic, stocked by the beloved Shepherd Neame brewery. Deal is just down the road, but the rest of the world feels far away here – especially on sunny days, the pebbles at your feet, enjoying a cold pint.

24. The Ship, Saltburn-by-the-Sea

With a prime spot overlooking Saltburn Beach, The Ship is one of Yorkshire’s best-loved heritage pubs. It’s been pulling pints since the 1800s, and the original pub still stands today. Over the years, there’s been the odd refresh – most recently, a 250-seater beer garden that takes full advantage of the view: sweeping sea vistas and Yorkshire’s last remaining pier. An outdoor bar, pizza shack, and chilled weekend DJ sets bring a beach bar energy to this Victorian seaside town. 

23. The Penhelig Arms, Aberdyfi

There is no better place to be on a sunny day in Aberdovey than the Penhelig Arms. Whether it’s from the balcony terrace or the beer garden, the Penhelig takes full advantage of the sweeping estuary views. Take a stroll along the beach at low tide, or sit back and enjoy the scenery, where the sparkling waters of Cardigan Bay meet the River Dyfi. 

22. The Shoreline, Newport-on-Tay

Bringing the Mediterranean to Dundee, the Shoreline is a brand new riverside spot. The terrace is a postcard of sunnier pastures, with orange Aperol umbrellas and cushions bringing sunshine to even the gloomiest of Scottish days. And while the River Tay might not exactly be a sandy beach, its sparkling waters might just fool you. Having only opened in June 2025, the Shoreline is already one of the UK’s best spots to enjoy a drink with a view. 

21. Sailors’ Safety, Newport

The Sailor’s Safety is a nod to seafaring days on the Dinas Island peninsula, when the pub would burn a light through the night to guide ships to safety. The humble cottage pub has stood on this craggy shore since 1593 – but the food is anything but old-fashioned. The changing menu is built around fresh seafood, with dishes like wild seabass with vermouth velouté, garlicky mussels, and Pembrokeshire lobster with chimichurri. Still, what we’re really here for is the view – a front-row seat to Pwllgwaelod Beach.

20. Steinn Inn, Isle of Skye

Standing on the shores of Lochbay since 1790, the Steinn Inn has welcomed generations of bleary-eyed travellers to pause and take in the view. It’s become synonymous with the Isle of Skye, as much a must-visit as the Storr itself. But popularity hasn’t dulled its charm – far from it. The family-run pub’s motto – “no road is too long for good company” – is a promise of warm hospitality and community spirit. The food is just as memorable, with langoustines, mussels, and crabs, caught in Lochbay and delivered daily.

19. Cladach Beach House, Isle of Arran

A pub, this is not. Set right on the beach in Brodick, the Cladach Beach House is an unexpected – and entirely delightful – addition to the Isle of Arran. It brings a splash of the Caribbean on sunny days, and something closer to an Alpine ski chalet on chillier days. This spot is all about the drinks and the view. The botanical menu celebrates the island’s wildflowers and herbs, shaping beautifully crafted gins and cocktails. And if a seaside pint’s more your thing, there are botanical beers on draft too.

18. Cove House Inn, Portland

Set on the west coast of Portland, a tiny island linked to the Dorset mainland by Chesil Beach, the Cove House Inn is another wonderful seaside boozer. Wherever you end up here, it feels like the best seat in the house. Whether you’re in the beer garden, perched on the wall, or take your drink down (in a plastic cup) to the shingle beach below, all come with a stunning view of Chesil Beach. The changing menu of fresh seafood, local meat and vegetables is displayed on a chalkboard – think whole lemon sole, whitebait, and sea bream.

17. Badachro Inn, Gairloch

Hugging the shores of Loch Gairloch, the Badachro Inn is a charming old white-washed pub and one of Scotland’s finest watering holes. Freshly caught seafood is delivered straight to the jetty beside the pub, there’s an extensive whisky list, and the beer garden boasts some of the best views in the North West Highlands. For many, it’s a welcome sight after a day’s ramble through the hills. For others, it’s a peaceful pit stop along the NC500. But for everyone, it’s a place to linger and soak in the scenery.

16. The Ship Inn, Porthleven

A cosy harbour-front favourite, this 17th-century pub is a nod to Porthleven’s seafaring past. It’s all salty air and excellent seafood. Sunny days are lovely in this Cornish town, but there’s a certain magic to the gloomier ones at the Ship Inn. Days when you can cosy up by the fire after a blustery coastal walk and watch the sea crash into the harbour wall from the window. 

15. The Harbour Bar, Portrush

Sitting above the harbour wall in Portrush, the Harbour Bar has been pulling pints for over a century. This is a proper pub, with worn wooden floors, low ceilings, and locals who have their favourite seat. However, the vibe is always welcoming, and live music nights, 7 days a week, bring the buzz. Watch the boats bob in the harbour from the benches out front, or head to the rooftop bar – the Leisure Lounge – for DJ sets while the sun dips into the Atlantic. 

14. The Pandora Inn, Falmouth

The Pandora Inn is seaside pub perfection. You can even arrive by boat, docking at the floating pontoon that leads to a 13th-century thatched cottage. Tables spill from the beer garden onto the pontoon itself, while little ones go crabbing on the beach below. The view across the bay is made even sweeter by a menu full of coastal favourites – curried Sri Lankan-style mussels, the catch of the day, and plenty more. A seaside pint is always welcome here, but we think a glass of fizz fits the moment best.

13. Fortune of War, Brighton

Fortune of War is a riot of Camden-esque interiors, DJ sets, reggae bands, great pizzas, and beautiful sea views. This popular boozer is not exactly a chilled-out coastal hideaway – especially with Brighton’s steady stream of stag dos – but it is a guaranteed good time. Embrace it for what it is: a beloved, buzzing pub planted right on Brighton’s busy boardwalk.

12. The Old Fort, Isle of Wight

When a pub is located in a town called ‘Seaview’, you’re in for something good. Perched on the island’s east coast with panoramic views of the Solent, The Old Fort is a summertime dream. Picnic benches line the edge, offering a front-row seat to the boat-dotted vista, and there’s a small sandy cove perfect for low-tide paddles. The food is everything you’d want from a coastal pub – think prawn sandwiches, moules and frites, and juicy burgers. 

11. The Cod and Lobster, Staithes

Proudly rooted on the sea wall, this cream-and-blue-coloured pub fits right in with Staithes’ charming cottages. The old fishing village is wonderfully pretty, and the Cod and Lobster, on the cobblestone water edge, is picture-perfect. The narrow beer garden gives punters an unobstructed view of the harbour and the never-ending North Sea. The menu is as seafood-heavy as you’d expect from a coastal pub, with a mix of classic favourites and elevated dishes.

10. The Druidstone, Pembrokeshire

Perched on a cliff overlooking St. Brides Bay, the Druidstone boasts one of the most breathtaking views in Pembrokeshire. Its laidback charm has kept regulars returning to this hotel for years, but first-timers are just as welcome to enjoy the views from the beer garden. Come on Sundays for a legendary roast dinner, and take a 10-minute wander down the cliff path to the long, golden beach. For serious walkers, the Druidstone is a beloved pitstop along the Pembrokeshire Coastal Path – but with sea views this good, you might find it hard to move on.

9. The Jolly Fisherman, Craster

Located on the wind-whipped, atmospheric northeast coast, the Jolly Fisherman is a glorious spot for a seaside pint. Whether you’re wrapped up warm or enjoying a summer’s day, the views are always beautiful. The low-slung pub faces a small port and bays in the distance, where green slopes melt into the sea. And the view isn’t even the main calling card – the ultra-fresh seafood is. Famous for the crab sandwiches, the Jolly Fisherman knows its salt when it comes to coastal food favourites.

8. The Watering Hole, Perranporth

Bringing a Caribbean energy to Cornwall, the Watering Hole appears like a mirage on the golden sands of Perranporth Beach. This popular beach bar is all relaxed vibes and good times, with benches spilling out across the sand, cocktails and pints flowing, and live music. The vista of the Cornish west coast is the cherry on top, especially when the sun dips into the sea at sunset. 

7. The White Horse, Norfolk

The north Norfolk coast is famously atmospheric, and the White Horse is in the perfect spot to take it all in. This upmarket pub overlooks picturesque salt marshes where paddleboarders, kayakers, and birdwatchers cross paths. Sunsets here are particularly special – the fiery glow reflecting across the wetlands feels almost otherworldly. The White Horse is more than just a much-loved pub – it’s also an excellent seafood restaurant, a live music venue, and a regular host of food events, including its annual lobster and oyster festivals.

6. The Griffin, Pembrokeshire 

There’s always a buzz at this much-loved coastal pub. Wth its view over a sparkling bay, encircled by soft green hills, it’s easy to see why. Boats bob gently in the water, docking at the floating pontoon below, while the kitchen serves up fresh seafood delivered daily. From sun-soaked lunches on the rooftop terrace to golden sunset pints perched by the Griffin’s stone wall, there’s something undeniably special about this place.

5. Applecross Inn, Wester Ross

Set on the edge of the Applecross Peninsula, you can rely on the Applecross Inn for three things: beautiful views, a warm welcome, and excellent seafood. The vista across the water to the Isle of Raasay is a gorgeous dose of beauty and tranquillity, while the cold pints are the perfect respite for worn-out travellers who have traversed through the winding roads of Bealach na Bà. 

4. Harry’s Shack, Portstewart

Harry’s Shack is a local favourite and a rare gem – and not just because it’s a beachside restaurant in Northern Ireland. Perched right on Portstewart Strand, it champions fresh seafood from local boats and home-grown vegetables. The food is outstanding, and the views are the cherry on top – just as gorgeous from the boardwalk terrace in summer as they are through the windows in winter, cosied up by the fire. 

3. Old Neptune, Whitstable 

Whitstable is a favourite for day-trippers from London – just 1 hour 20 minutes away by train – and has a great pub scene. But the Old Neptune stands out. Its classic white and blue facade screams nautical – perfectly fitting for a pub that is, literally, on the beach. Tables spill out across the shingle shore, or you can take a plastic cup pint down to your seaside set up for the day.

2. The Ship Inn, Low Newton-by-the-Sea

A whitewashed 18th-century country pub overlooking the wind-whipped North Sea, The Ship Inn is gorgeously atmospheric. Even on rare Northumberland sunny days, it feels cosy here – thanks to favourites like crab sandwiches and excellent beer brewed on-site in the pub’s microbrewery. While it feels like no time has passed since the pub’s early days, the mum-and-daughter duo keep things fresh with regular events, from wine tasting to live music. 

1.Tŷ Coch Inn, Pwllheli 

A beachfront boozer with an unbeatable view, the Tŷ Coch Inn gets all the love it deserves. Watch the fishing boats bob in the calm waters, looking out to the rolling Yr Eifl underneath an enormous sky, with the sandy beach at your feet. It’s only reachable on foot, but there are few better spots for enjoying a pint than right here, on the Llŷn Peninsula.