Where does the heart of the British nation beat? At the races? Hardly. In Buckingham Palace? You must be joking. Of course, in the pub! A British pub is much more than just a place to grab a drink — it’s the soul of the local community, a living monument to history, and sometimes even a tourist attraction. But some pubs go far beyond the ordinary: they squeeze into spaces the size of a wardrobe, sit in the most inaccessible corners of the country, or set records for their ancient origins. Let’s take a look at some of the most extraordinary drinking establishments in the United Kingdom.
Tan Hill Inn: A Refuge for the Wind
Where: North Yorkshire, England
Photo by Tan Hill Inn
At an altitude of 528 meters above sea level, among the rugged Yorkshire hills, stands Tan Hill Inn — the highest pub in Britain. Built in the 17th century, it once served as a shelter for local miners. Today, it welcomes farmers, travellers, and lovers of unusual locations. The winds here are biting, and in winter, the pub often gets snowed in so badly that visitors find themselves trapped inside. But is that really a bad thing — being stuck in a cozy pub with beer, food, and a roaring fireplace? The last time it happened was less than a month ago when a blizzard stranded 23 guests and staff inside for five days.
The Old Forge: If You Can Get There!
Where: Knoydart, Scotland
Photo by The Old Forge
Located in the tiny village of Inverie on the Knoydart Peninsula, this pub is the most remote in Britain. There are no roads leading to it — you can only reach it by boat (a 7-mile journey) or on foot through the rugged Scottish Highlands (almost 18 miles). The Old Forge was once the home of a local blacksmith (hence the name), but now it’s a haven for adventurers and whisky lovers. The owner promises a warm welcome to anyone who makes the trek, and local fishermen often stop by, bringing freshly caught seafood from the North Sea.
The Crooked House: An Optical Illusion?
Where: South Staffordshire, England
Photo by MIDI on Wikimedia
Even before stepping inside The Crooked House, you might feel like you’ve had one too many. The whole building seems to lean at a precarious angle, and glasses on the table look like they’re about to slide off. Built in 1765, the pub started tilting in the 19th century due to shifting ground beneath it. Instead of demolishing the “architectural mishap,” the owners turned it into a quirky tourist attraction. Unfortunately, in 2023, the pub was sold to new owners, mysteriously burned down (the fire was later confirmed as arson), and was demolished — despite local authorities forbidding its destruction. Whether it will be rebuilt remains uncertain, but the legend of Britain’s wonkiest pub lives on.
The Nutshell: Tiny, but Full of Character
Where: Suffolk, England
Photo by The Nutshell
The Nutshell is officially one of the smallest pubs in the world. It’s only 4.5 meters long and 2 meters wide, meaning no more than a dozen people can squeeze inside at once. Despite its tiny size, the atmosphere is always lively, with old photos and artefacts covering the walls and international banknotes plastering the ceiling. If you manage to fit inside, the regulars will happily share stories about the pub’s unique history. One of its most bizarre relics? A 400-year-old mummified black cat, discovered inside the pub’s walls during renovations in 1935, now displayed behind glass.
Ye Olde Trip to Jerusalem: Carved into a Cliff
Where: Nottingham, England
Photo by Immanuel Gie on Wikimedia
Ye Olde Trip to Jerusalem is considered one of Britain’s oldest pubs. According to the owners, it was established in 1189 — the same year King Richard the Lionheart and Pope Gregory VIII called for the Third Crusade. This small pub is literally carved into the rock beneath Nottingham Castle, nestled within ancient caves. It is said that medieval pilgrims and Crusader knights once stopped here on their way to the Holy Land — after all, the word “trip” originally meant a stop along the journey, not the journey itself.
Jamaica Inn: A Pub with a Criminal Past
Where: Cornwall, England
Photo by Jamaica Inn
If you’re drawn to a touch of criminal history, head straight to Jamaica Inn. Perched on the edge of the wild, misty Bodmin Moor — surrounded by rocky outcrops and secret coves — this pub was once a notorious smuggling den in the 18th century. Rumour has it that local smugglers used over a hundred hidden routes to transport contraband and evade capture. According to legend, they even lured passing ships to crash on the rocks by using lanterns to mislead them — then looted the wrecks. Today, the area is peaceful, but the pub remains a fascinating destination, surrounded by ancient graves, the ruins of a Templar church, and traces of prehistoric settlements.
For Ale and Adventure
Some British pubs are true cultural treasures. Some draw visitors with ghost stories and dark histories, others with their extreme locations, and some with their sheer eccentricity. So, if you decide to embark on a pub-hopping adventure across Britain, choose your route wisely. And remember: sometimes, the best pint of beer — or the finest glass of whisky — requires a long trek across Scotland!
