pub

The small but welcoming village is one of the prettiest places I’ve ever seen and I can’t wait to go back.

You can’t beat a day at the beach when the weather is nice and sunny. And with some warmer days on the way very soon, it’s worth thinking about where you’re going to spend them.

The UK has plenty of very popular seaside spots, but if you’re looking for something a little more undiscovered, there’s one true hidden gem I recently visited that I can’t recommend enough. Admittedly it’s tiny, and there’s not much there, but there’s a welcoming pub and restaurant, magnificent ocean views, and it’s near to another well-loved seaside destination too.

Lower Largo in Fife has a population of roughly 2,300, and it’s one of the most gorgeous locations I’ve seen.

The small village looks out over Largo Bay, on the northern edge of the Firth of Forth in Scotland. It took around an hour and a half to drive from Glasgow, and from Edinburgh, it’s only an hour’s drive away.

Largo is a historic fishing village, divided into two separate sections – Lower and Upper, with the small village of Lundin Links just to the left. Here, you won’t find amusement arcades or masses of holidaymakers, and it has a far more tranquil ambience than other coastal villages I’ve explored lately.

But don’t allow the absence of attractions to discourage you. The more relaxed pace of life here was captivating, and already I’m eager for my next chance to return. Waking up to those breathtaking coastal vistas was an immediate pick-me-up, especially when the sunshine was beaming down.

It was a bit cold, but that didn’t matter – it was still beautiful, and the fresh sea air was so invigorating.

Lower Largo’s beach is made up of sand and rocks, and it’s pristine. We noticed several people out walking their dogs, and even spotted sight of one courageous woman plunging into the water, which must have felt amazing once she’d overcome the initial icy shock.

The streets were just as pleasant to explore. It’s so peaceful, so you’ll barely see any cars driving along, but you will discover some extravagantly decorated gardens. The nautical theme was clear to see, with garden gates embellished with pirates, fish and mermaids.

Breakfast was at The Aurrie, a charming cafe within a former church that had such a cosy and welcoming ambience. There was artwork on display from local artists that was available to purchase, and a superb range of hot dishes, coffees, and a dessert counter brimming with delights. I chose the veggie haggis and potato scone roll and a flat white, and it was delicious.

Throughout our visit, we also ate at The Crusoe, another wonderfully welcoming four-star hotel featuring a restaurant and pub. It offers all the traditional pub favourites you’d expect, from mac and cheese to fish and chips, and my entire family absolutely loved it.

Just across the road sits the Railway Inn, another pub featuring a proper fire that I didn’t get the chance to visit, but my parents said it was brilliant and the perfect spot for an after-dinner beverage.

The pub is handily positioned right beside an impressive viaduct, now out of service but still towering above. It crosses the Keil Burn, and was built to accommodate part of the Fife Coast Railway Line. It hasn’t been in use since 1965 following the restructuring of British railways known as the Beeching cuts, but it stands as an important landmark and is definitely worth seeing.

Another intriguing element of Lower Largo’s past is its link to the man who inspired Daniel Defoe’s Robinson Crusoe – explaining the hotel’s name.

Born in 1676, Alexander Selkirk came from the village, and the property that now stands on his birthplace at 99-105 Main Street displays a life-sized statue of him staring out towards the horizon.

A signpost at the harbour indicates the direction of the Juan Fernández Islands, roughly 7,500 miles away, where he spent more than four years stranded.

I’m already eagerly looking forward to my next visit to Lower Largo. The general vibe of the place was incredibly warm, and it’s evident it has a powerful sense of community spirit.

It’s the perfect destination to enjoy a peaceful few days, but for those wanting to venture further afield, the popular coastal town of St Andrews is just 20 minutes away. Although St Andrews is most famous for its rich golfing history and as the place where royals William and Catherine first met, the town also boasts a fantastic array of pubs, restaurants, bookshops and cafés well worth exploring.

PUB crawls are a favourite pastime of Brits – and there is a unique one in the UK called the ‘Spoons Safari’.

Lloyds Coaches has launched a new tour travelling 250-miles across Wales stopping in at seven Wetherspoons along the way and it’s so popular that it’s quickly selling out.

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Those who are keen to hop onboard the Wetherspoons will be pleased to know that tickets are just £20 – sadly, drinks are not included.

Teasing more about its Spoons special, Lloyds Coaches said: “Ready for a legendary day out without the ‘who’s driving?’ debate. Grab your mates and hop aboard for the Lloyds Coaches Wetherspoons Tour.

“We’re hitting some of the most iconic pubs across North Wales and the border. Whether you’re in it for the affordable ales, the legendary breakfasts, or just to check the carpet patterns, this is the trip for you!”

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The tour is so popular that the first coach has already sold-out, and spaces are filling up on the second.

Here’s how it plays out for those keen to book a seat.

On June 27 at 10:15am, the coach sets off from Dolgellau in Wales and with multiple pick-ups along the way, stops at the first Wetherspoons under four hours later at the Wilfred Owen in Oswestry.

The second Spoons stop on the list is The Castle Hotel in Ruthin.

Then onto The Picture House in Colwyn Bay which has been considered one of the most beautiful pubs by its punters.

The pub can be found inside the former Princess Cinema, which was built in 1914 and originally called the Princess Picture House.

It still has original Art Deco design features from stained glass windows and lighting fixtures, as well as artwork on the walls.

The next stop is The Palladium in Llandudno which is arguably the most impressive on the tour.

Formerly a cinema, the building first opened to the public in the 1920s, it has eye-catching decor with a ceiling with gold detailing and red carpet.

There’s seating on three floors, including stalls, dress circle and balcony, before being used as a theatre and music hall.

It opened as a Wetherspoons in 2001.

After sinking another pint or two, the tour heads to the penultimate pub; Tafarn y Porth in Caernarfon.

The pub is in the middle of the city that’s well-known for its royal 13th century castle.

Finally, the tour comes to a close at Pen Cob in Pwllheli which is just minutes from the seafront and at 9:15 PM, the tour comes to a close.

It’s not the first time there has been Wetherspoons special tours around the country.

Last year, one tour operator offered a £699 six-day outing around some of the chain’s top pubs – and it included £50 to spend on booze.

The trip took keen punters to boozers like the Standing Order in Derby, The Chief Justice and the Common Pleas in Keswick and Penrith’s The Dog Beck.

It also includes The North Western in Liverpool and The Winter Gardens in Harrogate, plus Blackpool‘s Velvet Coaster.

Beer lovers prayers have been answered as this Coach firm has just launched a 250-mile-long pub crawl starting early at 9:15am from Dolgellau and taking in many famous Spoons along the way

Nobody loves an organised pub crawl more than the Brits – but this one may have just topped them all.

While some make pilgrimages to a significant place or worship or set out on a journey to deepen their spirituality, this particular tour will have travellers doing less thinking and more drinking.

Lloyd’s Coaches has launched the ultimate ‘Spoons Pilgrimage’, a 250-mile round journey visiting a whole load of JD Wetherspoon pubs throughout North Wales, and venturing slightly beyond the border as well. The route begins and ends in Dolgellau.

It’s such a brilliant idea that other travel companies are likely kicking themselves, wondering why they didn’t come up with the scheme first. Yet the concept is pretty simple.

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For the very reasonable price of just £20, not including any drinks bought along the way, passengers can embark on a day trip like no other.

Departing nice and early from Dolgellau, Wales at 9.15am, the coach will head towards the inaugural Spoons in Oswestry, known as the Wilfred Owen. It’s expected that the coach arrives at noon, with attendees given a 45-minute stop to knock back a pint or two.

Then it’s time to get back on board and head on towards The Castle Hotel in Ruthin, under an hour’s drive away. Here they’ll have another 45-minute stop, before carrying on to The Picture House in Colwyn Bay, a further 45-minute drive.

It’s shaping up to be a long day on the road already, but fortunately, it’s a shorter drive this time around to the Palladium in Llandudno: the most impressive of all the establishments on the route. At this point, six county boundaries have been crossed, but there’s still plenty more to go.

Perhaps feeling a little bit giddy from all of the drinking thus far, punters will head to Tafarn y Porth in Caernarfon, then Pen Cob in Pwllheli for 7.30pm, for the final drinking stop.

Lloyds Coaches announced in a statement: “Ready for a legendary day out without the ‘who’s driving?’ debate. Grab your mates and hop aboard for the Lloyds Coaches Wetherspoons Tour. We’re hitting some of the most iconic pubs across North Wales and the border. Whether you’re in it for the affordable ales, the legendary breakfasts, or just to check the carpet patterns, this is the trip for you!”

The never-before-seen Wetherspoons Tour is set to be held on Saturday, June 27, and with the initial Facebook post gaining so much traction, who knows, it could go on to be a regular event.

Full of excitement, the travel firm later added: “We’re filling up faster than a pint of Ruddles on a Tuesday. At this rate, we’re seriously asking ourselves: ‘Do we need to add another coach’.”

On Wednesday afternoon, Lloyds Coaches added a second coach on the same day, after the first sold out.

Traveller Sam Meaney wanted a traditional British Sunday roast on a trip in Thailand, so he decided to head to The Old English pub in Bangkok to try their one out

Many of us love to get away to visit other places and explore other cultures. However, it’s always nice to have a taste of home back too while we’re away in another country. That’s exactly what traveller Sam Meaney wanted while on a trip to Bangkok, Thailand. Sam admitted that he ‘hadn’t had a proper roast dinner in six months’, so he decided to head to The Old English pub in Bangkok to try one.

The pub, situated in Bangkok’s Thonglor area, features a traditional English aesthetic with dark wood panelling, a cosy indoor area, and an outdoor patio equipped with fans. The pub is a central hub for sports fans, broadcasting live events like the Premier League, UFC, and NBA on multiple HD screens. It also houses a regulation-size pool table.

The menu focuses on comfort food, including their famous Sunday roast, Fish & Chips with mushy peas, and the “Churchill Breakfast”. However, they also serve local favourites such as Pad Thai and Green Curry.

Going to try the Sunday roast, Sam said in an Instagram reel: “I haven’t had a proper roast dinner in six months, so this has got a lot to live up to. If this is bad, I’m going to be fuming.”

Sam ordered a pint of Leo beer while looking over the menu as he said the Guinness in the pub was quite expensive (£8).

“This menu looks really, really good,” he said.

Sam said he was going to get the chicken roast, which costs 375THB (£8.50), but ten really fancied roast beef which is 495THB (£11).

However, he said if he paid just 50 Thai Baht more, he could get the Sunday Special, which comes with a starter, roast and dessert.

He decided to go for the deal, ordering Leek soup as his starter and chocolate cake for desserts.

Admiring the pub, after ordering, Sam exclaimed: “This place has a proper old English pub feel,” as he gave viewers a look around the establishment which was covered in English and British flags.

Then it was time for Sam to sample the food, as he described the Leek soup as “banging”.

The main Sunday roast then came, as he exclaimed: “Oh my God, look at this. That looks wonderful.”

Sam tasted the gravy, branding it as “good gravy”.

The traveller then sampled his medium rare beef and seemed to enjoy it, before moving onto the vegetables.

He admitted the broccoli was ‘probably out of a bag’ but said he ‘wasn’t going to complain’. However he said the carrots were “unbelievable” and enjoyed the red cabbage too.

Sam said he thought the roast potatoes ‘weren’t crispy’ before tasting them, but then took that back after sampling the roasties, saying that there was a ‘crisp to them’.

A Yorkshire pudding was also on his plate, which again, Sam seemed to enjoy.

Giving his verdict, Sam told viewers: “It’s not the most expensive roast in Bangkok, you get what you pay for, but it’s like a pub roast dinner back home. I’m a happy boy.”

Lastly, he tried his chocolate cake dessert, which came with vanilla ice cream. He described it was “sweet, chocolate-y and hot”.

Giving his conclusion, he added: “This is not the best roast dinner in the world, but it’s comfort, home food, like an English pub at home.

“If you’re looking for that in Bangkok, the Old English Pub is the way to go.”

People were loving the post, with it racking up more than 1,400 likes.

One person exclaimed: “That looked pretty banging to be fair, if you said you was at a pub for Sunday roast in UK I wouldn’t have challenged it.”

While another added: “Looks better then a lot of roasts in the UK.”

Someone else admired the “banging amount of meat” on the plate.

While another person who had been to the pub said: “I have had a few meals there, all top quality.”

ONE popular UK attraction often considered a ‘time-warp town’ is set to reopen next month after months of closure.

Blists Hill is a living Victorian Museum that allows visitors to step into the 1900s with a period pub, pharmacy, and school, and there are even Shire horses trotting about the streets.

Blists Hill closed in February of this year after being taken over by the National Trust.

Now, it’s understood the site is set to open next month, but the exact dates haven’t been announced yet.

The National Trust said on its website: “Details of timings and prices will follow on our website in the next few weeks.”

For those who are keen to visit, the Victorian town is found in Shropshire and is a completely immersive experience.

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There are staff in costume working in the businesses like ironmaking – which is what the site was originally used for in the 18th and 19th century.

There’s also a candle factory, butcher shop, shoe smith and even a school which has been deconstructed and rebuilt on the site brick by brick.

At the bank, visitors can exchange pounds into shillings and pence to spend on treats like sweets at the confectionery shop.

Blists Hill even has resident Shire horses like George and Bernie, who provide carriage rides around the town.

It was late last year that that the National Trust announced it would take over the running of certain museums once operated by Ironbridge Gorge Museum Trust, like Blists Hill, with the help of a £9million grant.

The National Trust will oversee 10 museums and 35 listed buildings, with some sites opening “in a phased fashion” over the year.

For example, Toll House in Ironbridge, a small museum on the historic Iron Bridge, is set to reopen in mid-June

When Travel Writer Ryan Gray stepped into Victorian life, he confessed his favourite spots were the pub and chip shop.

He said: “The first cast member greet me was a friendly policeman, Guy Rowlands, who has been working on the site for more than 20 years. He also leads the singalongs in the New Inn, the on-site working pub, which takes place every afternoon.

“Staff recommended I take a bag of chips into the pub to enjoy with a pint on arrival, but as I was driving, I settled for a dandelion and burdock instead.

“Nevertheless, I was still able to enjoy the incredible levels of detail throughout the bar, including old local football fixtures written in cursive on the blackboard and ‘wanted’ posters hung up on the wall.”

Prior to its closure, Blists Hill was open from 10am to 4pm every day, with the museum advising customers to allow for up to four hours to explore it fully.

An adult day ticket to the site is £27, with a £30 option also available.

Wisteria and clematis hang from weathered cottage walls. Tulips and pink apple blossom spill out of several gardens. Thatched animals decorate the rooftops. There’s a Norman church, a medieval castle and an 80-hectare (200-acre) nature reserve. Amberley is the kind of place people assume you can only reach by car, but the village has its own railway station with regular direct trains, along the scenic Arun Valley line, from Bognor, Horsham and London Victoria.

This spring, the Black Horse pub reopened in Amberley. The new owners are the gourmet Gladwin brothers, Oliver and Richard, returning to their Sussex roots near Nutbourne Vineyards. Having founded five Local & Wild restaurants in London, the Black Horse is their first country pub and first place with rooms.

I’ve walked through Amberley numerous times, but never stopped to explore. It’s the midpoint of the South Downs Way, a 100-mile route from Winchester to Eastbourne, with views for much of its length in both directions: north across the Weald and south towards the sea.

Trains leave London every half an hour and take about 1hr 20mins to get to Amberley. The scenery outside gets steadily lovelier, passing blackthorn-bordered fields and bluebell woods. Beyond Pulborough, the railway enters the South Downs national park. There are herds of deer, chalk-hill views and the winding River Arun.

My first stop is Amberley Museum (two for the price of one with a voucher if you travel by train). Sprawling across more than 14 hectares (36 acres) of former chalk pits, it has impressive disused lime kilns and demonstrations of everything from broom-making to printing.

It’s right opposite the railway station and I’m planning a 45-minute whiz round before strolling into the village. Three hours later, I’m still there, riding the narrow-gauge railway and chatting to volunteers with encyclopedic enthusiasms for various traditional crafts. Visitors can hear the rattle of old machines and smell the printers’ ink, pine shavings, brick dust and engine oil. There’s a whole building about communications through time, from horse-drawn post carts to fibre-optic cables. The Tools & Trades History Society has intricate displays involving bee-smokers, hoop drivers, moulding planes, straw splitters and spindle grinders.

Above the museum’s main site, a nature trail leads up, through banks of bluebells and primroses, to a hilltop bench. Across the chalk cliffs of the old quarry and tall sycamores with their nesting rooks are views of the fortified walls of Amberley Castle, a bishops’ residence dating mainly from the 14th century.

I pass the castle on my 20-minute amble into the village and stop off at neighbouring St Michael’s church to admire the zigzagged Norman arch, oak leaf-carved doorway and graveyard cowslips. I check into the Black Horse, then head out again to explore Amberley Wildbrooks nature reserve, an area of boggy woods and tussock-sedged wetland, which starts two minutes’ walk away from the pub.

A pair of birders with a proper scope show me their photo of the resident white-tailed eagle, then I stroll through golden evening shadows serenaded by linnets and skylarks. No sign of the eagle, but I’m happy to hear warblers in the reedbeds and a woodpecker drumming for bugs. (Next day, I learn one of the area’s best eagle-spotting sites is The Sportsman, Amberley’s community pub, with binoculars on its terrace). I walk for miles along the single boggy track, following the Wey-South Path, a 34-mile (55km) route to Guildford mostly along canal towpaths, before finally heading back.

With bedrooms offering real milk and coffee, Amberley pottery and homemade biscuits, the Black Horse is hospitable. There are wooden beams, hilly views and fresh flowers. Plenty of pubs claim to be haunted by a “grey lady”; the Black Horse reports sightings of a spectral “woman in lavender … fleeting as the mist that settles over the Downs”.

The renovated pub’s wood-panelled restaurant has an emphasis on local, foraged and sustainable food. Wild garlic season is ending and local asparagus has arrived. Grilled green spears in lemon with purple onion flowers look beautiful and taste better. Salad is dressed with gingery magnolia. There’s squid from Worthing, free-range lamb from the third Gladwin brother and farmer, Gregory, and wines from the family vineyards five miles north.

Many of the diners live locally (some on their second or third visit), while the early breakfasters next morning are mostly hiking the South Downs Way. The chalky hills look tempting in the spring sunshine, but I have other plans. In Arundel, four minutes’ journey south by rail, the nearly 1,000-year-old fortress (£17, gardens only) is hosting its huge annual tulip festival when I visit, having planted more than 1.4m bulbs over the past decade and won Historic Houses’ garden of the year in 2025, among other awards.

From pretty Arundel station, a bee-friendly path leads cyclists and walkers under the railway and beside a field to a safer stretch of pavement. Local community group Greening Arundel has won awards for this path, which is lined with celandines, murals and bug hotels.

There’s a queue to get into the castle gardens, but it’s easy to see why people come here. With fountains, thatched gazebos and historic walls as a backdrop, there are sweeping beds of multicoloured blooms, banks of scarlet by the moat, lush tubs of peony-style doubles, elegant lily-flowered cultivars and striped Rembrandts among a soft haze of forget-me-nots and the last of the narcissi.

Included in garden entry is the monument-filled 14th-century Fitzalan chapel, where pairs of marble knights and ladies lie side by side. On one of my teenage South Downs’ hikes, I spent hours with a friend searching every church in town for the stone effigies featured in Philip Larkin’s 1956 poem An Arundel Tomb, only to find them later in Chichester Cathedral.

After walking around the gardens, I climb the narrow-stepped Norman keep for views that stretch to the sea. There’s plenty to look at inside the castle, too: paintings by Van Dyck and Canaletto, rooms full of crossbows and rapiers, lion pelts in the Great Hall, antlers in the corridors.

From Arundel station, I can see the hilltop church and castle, framed by woods and marshes. The scene is up there with England’s other great views from railway stations, such as Durham Cathedral or St Michael’s Mount. Rich in history and wildlife, the trip feels longer and more rewarding than a simple overnight break. Outside the train windows, herons guard the waterways and swans are nesting in the reeds.

Accommodation was provided by the Black Horse pub, doubles from £110 room-only. Train travel was provided by Southern

A STAYCATION can often be the ultimate way to relax, but what if you could make it better by having your own private lock-ins…

A former village pub in the Peak District has been transformed into the ultimate group retreat.

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Called The Crewe & Harpur, the pub which is in the village of Longnor, sleeps up to 34 people across 17 bedrooms in four buildings – the main building (which is the converted pub), Abbey Cottage, Calke Cottage and Etwell Cottage.

But what makes this spot truly special is that in the main building, there is still the original bar, where you can pour yourself a pint.

If guests want to do this, they just have to ask their hosts to put in a keg of local ale.

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The oak bar boasts typical boozer stools, shelves of glasses, fridges to keep beverages cool and an ice machine at your disposal.

One of the best things about cosy pubs is the mismatched furniture, which you’ll also find inside the converted pub, such as corner benches and different chairs.

Of course, a boozer isn’t complete without some form of entertainment, so guests can get competitive with a round of darts.

But if that wasn’t enough entertainment, there is also a smaller games room with table tennis and table football.

There’s a comfortable living area as well as a fully equipped kitchen too.

Most of the features you see inside are original as well, such as the beams and fireplaces, as the pub is Grade II listed.

And ideal for the sunny weather, outside you’ll find three different areas including a courtyard with picnic benches and a brick barbeque, a paved patio with views of the valley and a grass garden.

Even where the pub is located is special as it sits in the middle of the old market square of the village, where at the edges you’ll find a fish and chip shop, village shop, local pub and a tea room.

The main building dates back two centuries and used to be a coaching inn for people travelling between Manchester and London.

A three-night stay between Friday and Monday costs from £4,000 which works out around £41 per person per night.

In the surrounding area you can visit the spa town of Buxton (also the home of the famous bottled water brand), with independent shops and weekly markets.

In the town you can head to Pavilion Gardens, which is a Victorian event venue surrounded by 23 acres of landscaped gardens.

The attraction has a number of play areas for kids as well, and over the year has around 100 events and festivals including Comic Con, antique fairs and toy fairs.

In the town centre, don’t miss out on filling up your bottle with fresh mineral water from St Ann’s Well.

If you are with the kids, Buxton has a Go Ape adventure attraction too with a treetop challenge and swing drop.

The market town of Bakewell – where the jam and almond-filled pastry Bakewell Pudding was created – is also not too far away.

And for those who love a thrill, Alton Towers theme park is less than a half hour drive away.

If enjoying a tipple in a sunny beer garden is top of the list for your seaside trip, there’s one English beach resort that wouldn’t have been your cup of tea before this century. 

I visited Frinton-on-Sea, a quaint little town on the Essex Sunshine Coast where boozers were banned until 2000.

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Nowadays you can prop up the bar at the town’s first pub, the Lock and Barrel, or enjoy a drink in the sun outside.

There are a couple of small courtyard areas with picnic tables out back, plus tables in front of the pub’s huge double-fronted picture windows overlooking the high street.

It’s all a far cry from the Frinton of years gone by, when industrialist Richard Powell Cooper developed the golf course and land around it in the 1890s, stipulating that no drinking holes would be welcome. 

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In fact, there wasn’t even a fish and chip shop until the 1990s.

So heading back 30 years after the sea change, I was interested to see if lifting the ban on takeaways and pubs has made much difference to the sleepy seaside chic I remember from my youth.

Now pubs are permitted, Frinton’s main claim to fame is being named by Which? as the warmest and driest coastal town in its most recent survey of best UK seaside spots, as well as scoring five stars from visitors for peace and quiet.

It got just one star for tourist attractions, as it’s not got a pier, arcades or any of the other seaside staples you might expect.

It’s the polar opposite of the party vibe of its coastal cousin Clacton, just five miles down the seafront.

With a family-friendly sandy beach overlooked by the wide lawns and heritage sea shelters of the greensward, there’s something a little bit special about this secluded seaside spot, and the introduction of a pub hasn’t done anything to change that. 

It’s still got a village vibe, with only one road in and out over the railway line. 

Its high street Connaught Avenue remains packed full of independent shops – a glimpse out of the pub window revealed a toy shop, butcher, bookshop and fishmonger.

Although, Frinton hasn’t avoided the inevitable Turkish barber, charity shop and nail salon that seem to have sprung up in every town centre.

Even a chain like Poundstretcher has toned down its brightly coloured exterior and signage to fit in with the conservation area. 

Here are more of our favourite UK seaside towns…

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Sidmouth, Devon
Take a trip to Sidmouth on the Jurassic Coast and wander down Jacob’s Ladder to its pretty shingle beach. Make sure to walk along the promenade and check out the independent shops and boutiques. Stay at the four-star Harbour Hotel for sea views and traditional afternoon tea from £135 per room.

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Whitby, North Yorkshire
With a history of sailors and vampires, a dramatic coastal path, and the very best in pints and scampi, it takes a lot to beat Whitby. Pop in the amusements, eat award-winning fish and chips, and board the all-singing Captain Cook boat tour on the harbour. The Royal Hotel overlooks the harbour with stays from just £68 per room.

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Old Hunstanton, Norfolk
This town has some of the best beach walks beside striped limestone cliffs, a Victorian lighthouse and 13th century ruins. The beach has golden sands with rolling dunes and colourful beach huts, backed by a pretty pinewood forest. Stay at a beachfront hotel from £100 per room.

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Seahouses, Northumberland
This is an authentic British seaside break, with fishing boats bobbing on its pretty harbour and fresh catches of the day to enjoy in local restaurants. There’s no flashing arcades here, but there’s a great beach with rockpools, boat trips, and you may even spot a grey seal, too. Treat yourself to a stay at the Bamburgh Castle Inn from £129 per room.

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We popped in for a pint at the Lock and Barrel, paying £30 for a round of two beers, a glass of wine and three soft drinks.

I liked the pub name’s nod to the previous ironmonger incarnation of the building, with Blowers and Cooper storefront lettering preserved on the ceiling above the bar to remember the shop based here for 75 years.

And the lovely green tiled pillar at the entrance preserves part of the pub’s predecessor for posterity.

It all seems very much in keeping with the genteel feel that attracted the likes of Winston Churchill and the Prince of Wales here in the first half of the 20th century.

And while Frinton is never going to be prime pub crawl territory, strolling a mile inland while window shopping along Connaught Avenue brings you to the Essex Skipper on an estate towards the outskirts of the town.

We loved the beach hut seating areas in the beer garden and the big word cloud backdrop that commemorates many of the special places, food and experiences that make this stretch of the Essex coast unique.

This pub has a fresh, modern feel, quite a contrast to the olde world charm of its high street counterpart.

With August average highs of 21C, sea temperatures of around 18C and rainfall just 45mm, Frinton combines the best of British summertime with a town that’s stayed true to its traditions.

And it’s easily accessible, with trains from London Liverpool Street taking just 90 minutes.

If you do like to be beside the seaside and all you need for your bucket-and-spade break is a beach and a bit of sunshine, Frinton could become a firm family favourite for you.

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There’s a charming pub that even people who live an hour away don’t know about – but it’s a brilliant place to have a pint on a Friday night

There’s nothing that says ‘quintessentially British’ quite like a pub. Whether we’re talking big name chains or beautiful low-beamed watering holes with roaring fireplaces, you’d struggle to find a Brit who doesn’t have a favourite local.

One pub that’s definitely stood the test of time is The Puffin. Tucked away on Osea Island, just off the coast in Essex, this quirky pub is only open on Friday nights – and there aren’t any official last orders.

Osea Island gets cut off from the mainland for about 20 hours every day, has almost no shops, and only a handful of residents. Still, even the most isolated of destinations needs a good pub, and The Puffin provides.

This beautiful 300-year-old building is located in the island’s main village, a stone’s throw from plenty of holiday homes. Naturally, I had to check it out when I headed to Osea for a weekend. The Puffin is packed with charm; think authentic low beamed ceilings and an Inglenook fireplace that completely oozes character.

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Just a word of caution; the pub’s low ceilings definitely add to the building’s character but they are really, really low. If you’re tall like me, take heed; it’s easy to bump your head when you enter!

Still, I loved the overall decor; the signs and artwork all over the walls of the pub, the pictures of dogs, photos of the island and fun little posters too. There are also gorgeous leather sofas, and piles of old-looking books against the walls. The cosy interior probably wouldn’t fit more than 30 people inside at once, but this adds to its charm in my opinion.

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The bar felt chaotic – but I mean that in the best way possible. Considering the pub is isolated from the mainland most of the time, there was an incredible variety of drinks on offer – and I was particularly impressed by the number of local gins and spirits available. Of course no pub is complete without a decent beer selection, but that’s covered too; there were a fair amount of beers on draught, but the majority are bottled.

I opted for a spiced rum and coke, while other people ordered beers, local gins or soft drinks; again, I was really surprised at the wide range of spirit and mixer options available in such a tiny pub.

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Another nice touch was that there were bowls of peanuts and crisps available for customers for the entirety of my visit. Overall, it really felt like I’d been transported back in time to a medieval cosy pub with all the benefits of modern comforts, food and drink.

I also had the pleasure of having a chat with Calvin, who runs the pub, and was more than willing to share various stories from the island and its famous visitors. Calvin has been running the pub for about three years; he lives on Osea for five days a week, then stays at home in Heybridge for the other two.

His favourite thing about the job? Being able to chat to everyone who comes in, be that locals, tourists or even massive celebs. Jude Law, Stormzy, Aaron Taylor Johnson, Sean Paul, KSI and the Sidemen and even Example are just some of the famous faces who’ve reportedly visited the pub – and apparently at one point I was stood in the same spot where Martin Freeman had enjoyed a pint. Given that Osea is owned by music producer Nigel Frieda, it’s not surprising that it’s a haven for the A-list.

What’s particularly notable about The Puffin is its irregular opening times; it’s open every Friday and some bank holidays, but other than that, it’s only open on request for events. Calvin added there isn’t really a closing time either; it just shuts once the last punter leaves.

Ultimately, it turned out to be one of the best pubs I’ve visited; not because of the food and drink, but because of the overall atmosphere.

There were groups of people chatting on sofas, people drinking pints next to the bar and laughing with Calvin, and the whole place has an old-timey vibe, with the fireplace adding that extra touch of cosiness. If I make another trip to Osea, it’ll definitely be on a Friday at opening time!

You can find out more on oseaisland.co.uk and selfcatering.co.uk

A landlord fascinated by the space and the sky set up an observatory – in the back garden of his pub.

Alan Boddington, 67, first took interest in the space when looking at the moon with his uncle using a brass telescope on top of a coalbunker.

His fascination was further sparked when watching Neil Armstrong landing on the moon in 1969 during the Apollo 11 mission.

When he took over The Poltimore Inn, he saw an opportunity to build an observatory in back garden of the pub.

Located in the village of North Malton, Devon, the pub is on the edge of Exmoor National Park – Europe’s first ever dark sky reserve.

Minimal light pollution and cloudless nights mean thousands of stars and astronomical sights such as the Milky Way can be spotted.

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He said: “When a cloud comes over it means you can pop into the pub, have a pint and maybe sit by the fire to warm up.

“Once the sky clears you can come out with your pint and appreciate the dark sky.

“Takes a little while for your eyes to adjust but we have got red lighting all the way down to the observatory.

“It’s an unusual thing to have a pub with an observatory but also with our accommodation we can give people the opportunity to look at the Dark Sky.

Mr Boddington bought the Poltimore Inn in October 2012 from a large pub chain.

With his “long term” love for space he saw a potential to create an observatory outside the pub.

Five years ago he set up with observatory and it was funded by himself.

The telescopes costed around £10,500 and the building which was self-built was £27,000.

On a cloudless night it is possible to see the milky way, thousands of stars and astronomical sights from the Exmoor National Park.

He said: “I was introduced to the moon as a 9-year-old when my uncle brought over his telescope and set it up for me to have a look at the moon.

“The moon project Apollo went off and it was one of those things that your parents let you stay up for.

“I still have a lot of the newspaper cuttings.

“When it came to setting up the pub I thought it would be the ideal opportunity for me, with the Exmoor Dark Sky, to take advantage and also enjoy my hobby.”

Within the observatory, there is a permanently Polar and star aligned Meade LX200 12-inch telescope and a new era “smart” telescope in the Unistellar Ev-Scope.

There are also numerous other manual telescopes and Skywatcher Dobsonians for beginners.

It features an electronic roll off roof, a private outdoor decking observation area, as well as private amenities, plus tea and coffee making facilities.

He continued: “This has been a great boost to go from being youngster to seeing the Apollo to seeing this venture Artemis going off and going looping round the moon is amazing.

“Also the technology that is gone with it – we are going to be looking at tremendous pictures for the next six months as they are released.

“The Darkside of the Moon is something that we don’t generally see and I think we will have a lot of surprises from that.

“Also the eclipses will show us different details. We are really pleased to see the astronauts coming back safely and leave safely.

“I hope it really stimulates the whole space idea in Europe, in England and with the scientists in this country.”

The building of the Poltimore Inn Observatory helps him share his passion for astronomy and space exploration.

The Poltimore Inn Observatory holds regular monthly events run by astronomers Jo and Pete Richardson.

The primary school in North Malton also visits the observatory as part of their education.

He hopes his observatory keeps inspiring both young and old about the space and the sky.

To get to know more about The Poltimore Inn visit their website here.