THERE’S no shortage of brilliant pubs dotted across the UK – and we’ve rounded up some of the very best.
We’ve scoured the UK to find places that are great for kids, have brilliant beer gardens and most importantly – won’t break the bank.
With family-friendly options and some of the most affordable pints in the UK, these pubs tick every box.
From the Scottish Highlands down to Cornish beaches, here’s some of the top picks for pints.
Best for families
Ailean Chraggan, Highlands
When bringing the whole family along to the pub, it’s always a bonus to find yourself in one with cheap children’s meals and plenty of activities to keep the kids busy.
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Luckily, we’ve found pubs all across the UK that cater to kids brilliantly.
Scottish blogger Adele Murray from Aberfeldy recommends a cosy pub in the heart of the Highlands.
“One of my family’s favourite pubs is Ailean Chraggan” she says, a spot known as “The Crags” by locals.
“It’s great for families, with a beer garden and outdoor play area”.
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When it comes to food, the kid’s menu is simple and well-priced.
A children’s mac and cheese dish costs £6.25, and garlic ciabatta costs £3.50.
Plus, there’s some delicious and locally-sourced options for adults too.
“The Scottish mussels are delicious and come from the west coast” (£9.50 as a starter, £18.95 as a main).
The Tree House, Ayr
The Tree House in Ayr is also another great option for families.
Their “Little Foodies” offer for kids includes a main, drink and ice cream for only £3.50!
Just make sure you’re visiting between 3 – 5pm if it’s term time, or between 12 – 7pm if it’s during the school holidays.
The Mermaid, Cornwall
Down in the south of England, Sun reader Anne Walton recommends The Mermaid on the beach of Porth, Cornwall.
“You can just put the kids on the beach and watch them while you’re having a drink” she says. “They do a very nice Chicken New Yorker“.
“It’s also great for kids as they serve little meals – it was perfect for my granddaughter who’s only 11 months old”.
Jolly Sailers, Norfolk
Over in East Anglia, the Jolly Sailors in Brancaster Staithe is a fantastic option for families in North Norfolk.
The pub has a massive garden with a wooden playground, colouring and is dog-friendly if you’re coming in from a family beach walk with your pet.
Plus for adults there’s a beach hut bar with a humungous rum menu with delicious rum cocktails that opens up in the summer.
You’ll also find events with live sea shanty music, quizzes, festivals and bouncy castles depending on when you visit – Easter family fun days are particularly great for kids.
There’s also a beach hut serving ice cream flavours that kids go crazy for, from bright-blue bubble gum to the swirly pink “unicorn” flavour.
Food is super affordable, with the “Little Sailors” menu offering tomato pasta with cheese for £6.25 or a sizeable kids margherita for £6.95.
Brewdog, London
And if you’re in or around London, Sun Head of Digital Travel Caroline McGuire found the capital’s most family-friendly pub.
Brewdog at London Waterloo station has a massive slide and duckpin bowling lanes inside.
There’s a great kids menu with cheap pizza and chicken nugget meals, and even an in-house ice cream van.
Best for cheap eats
The Beck, Mablethorpe
There’s nothing worse than strolling into an unassuming pub only to be faced with a menu showing £20 mains and £7 pints.
Sometimes all you want is a pit-stop for some cheap and cheerful pub grub and a drink.
Sun reader Linda McDonnell recommends The Beck in Mablethorpe, Lincolnshire.
“They do a carvery every day throughout the year and it’s great value, especially for kids” she says (under-twos can eat for just £3).
When it comes to carvery there’s three tiers, and they’re all cheap: costing £8.99 for a small portion, £9.99 for medium and just £13.99 to go large.
“They also have lots of special offers” she says, “like two-for-one meals.”
The Two Tubs, Bury
And if you’re after a cheap pint, Bury in Greater Manchester was found to be the cheapest town to buy a beer in England.
The average cost of a pint here is just £2.75, compared to the national average of £5.17.
One of the best pubs to visit in this area is The Two Tubs, a family-run joint that won a ‘Community Hero’ award in hospitality due to its welcoming atmosphere and great prices.
They even offer a free hot meal and a shot of port for serving soldiers and veterans on “Military Monday”.
The only catch is that they don’t serve any food here – the focus is on having a cheap pint and a good time relaxing or watching sports.
The Sandringham, Hull
Another cheap option would be in Hull – where the average cost of a pint is just £3.68.
The Sandringham on Paragon Street offers a pint of Carling for just £3.10, serving beers cheaper than Wetherspoons.
The pub was opened in 2024 by ex-lorry driver Lee Cunningham, who has made it his mission to pull cheap pints for the people.
Best with beer gardens
The Old Mill, Perthshire
Sitting outside and sipping on a well-poured pint is a pretty unbeatable feeling.
And luckily across the UK we’ve got some pretty spots to sit outdoors, no matter the weather.
Christopher Hill, an Administration Manager from Tummel Valley Holiday Park in Perthshire has a few great picks in Pitlochry.
“My favourites are The Old Mill Inn, Victoria’s and The Auld Smiddy Inn” he says.
“The Old Mill has a great setting, with a watermill outside and a nice beer garden“.
The Woolpack Inn, Romney Marsh
Over in Suffolk, Sun reader Nora Hinds recommends visiting The Woolpack Inn in Romney Marsh.
“Their food is good but they have a wonderful garden. If it’s a nice day we tend to go there on our way down and stop for lunch” she says.
“I’ve had their fish pie that is really good. The grilled salmon fillet is also delicious” (costing £16.95).
Church House Inn, Devon
Plus, Sun travel reporter (and Devon local) Cyann Fielding recommends the beer garden at the Church House Inn in Devon.
“The Inn has a wide variety of beverages and also hosts regular events and themed nights” she says.
“The village green is also located just across the road for a nice stroll”.
Tickled Trout, Wye
Meanwhile, the Tickled Trout in the village of Wye in Ashford has outdoor seating overlooking a pretty river.
It’s a quaint 400 year-old pub with a cosy wooden-beamed interior, and it serves up some great seafood.
Visit in the summer for some amazing live music too.
Best traditional pubs
The Treguth Inn, Cornwall
Putting your finger on what makes a “good” pub is often down to its traditional atmosphere.
Sun reader Anne Walton from Newport in Wales, suggests visiting The Treguth Inn – a coastal spot in Holywell Bay, Cornwall.
“It’s a very local, old thatched pub with a great atmosphere” she said.
“It’s very cosy, dog-friendly and they do nice food. We used to go to their Wednesday Quiz Nights.”
The Cinque Ports Arms, Rye
Over in Rye, East Sussex, Sun reader Nora Hinds recommends The Cinque Ports Arms.
The traditional pub is close to the harbour, and is a great spot for all with its tasty local ales, family-friendly atmosphere and sports games showing on the TV.
Visitors can tuck into a delicious cod and chips for just £14.50, or a warming pie of the day for £11.95.
“It’s always been a friendly pub,” Nora says.
The Axe and Cleaver, Lincolnshire
Over in North Somercotes, Lincolnshire, Joanne Green recommends The Axe and Cleaver.
The pub is close to Parkdean’s Sunnydale holiday park, where Joanne is General Manager.
It has well-priced food, and even offers a “pie and pint night” on Thursdays where you can grab the meal and a drink for just £12.95.
The Railway Inn, Brynowen
Over in Brynowen in Wales, reader Ian Peabody from Newark suggests visiting The Railway Inn.
“It’s very welcoming and feels like a local pub” he said.
And if you’re staying at the nearby Parkdean Resorts Brynowen, it’s just a 10-minute walk.
“There’s also the Victoria Inn, which is popular with a lot of people going there to eat. It’s dog friendly and backs onto Borth Beach“.