The South East of England is green and pleasant. It’s got some of the UK’s headline cities and towns and top attractions, plus a beautiful stretch of coastline and a rolling rural and part forested interior of bluebell woods, chalk hills and thatched-roofed villages. A good way to ensure that you see the region properly is to travel the old highways and byways and stay in the South East’s old coaching houses, inns and pubs. There’s plenty to choose from on our Guru’s list, and staying in this kind of historic accommodation is a great way to meet local people as well as see more of the countryside. The recommendations on our list of the best pubs with rooms in the South East offer sustenance — some to a Michelin star standard — comfort, be it simple or luxurious, and a friendly welcome. Whether you’re travelling through Kent, Berkshire, Surrey, Hampshire, Oxfordshire, Sussex or Buckinghamshire we’ve found a great pub with rooms to try out.
For a romantic stay
- The Crown Inn in Chiddingford, Surrey, sits, ivy clad, on the edge of the green of this picturesque English village. Inside the 14th century building there are plenty of beautiful original features, like exposed beams, flagstone floors, huge fireplaces and four-poster beds. The restaurant is AA rated.
- The Trout at Tadpole Bridge is a fantastically welcoming country inn with its own section of river and a private mooring for guests. There are six rooms around a pretty courtyard and a AA rosette restaurant. You’re also close to Blenheim Palace and William Morris’ Kelmscott Manor.
- The Old Swan and Minster Mill is a converted mill with traditional charm, period features and 60 acres of woodlands and its own orchards. There’s a riverside garden and opportunities to fish from the grounds, plus a dining rooms and gastro pub.
- The Angel in Midhurst is a beautiful, Georgian coaching inn, recently refurbished, but to highlight many of its wonderful original features. Some of the 15 rooms have spectacular views. The food is inventive and the bar is lively.
For Foodies
- The Waterside Inn in Bray is a fantastic choice for foodies, run by Michel and Alain Roux and with three Michelin stars, this is about as gourmet at the UK gets. The eleven rooms and suites are sumptuous and start from around £220 per night. It might seem a bit tenuous to include it in a list of the best pubs with rooms in Berkshire, but it would be churlish not to!
- The Mermaid Inn is an historic, 13th century inn right in the centre of Rye. The whole place oozes period charm, from the black and white Tudor exterior to the carved four-poster beds, sloping, beamed ceilings and vast fireplaces. The food gets a 2 AA Rosette rating.
- Chichester’s Royal Oak is a charming, 200 year old inn which has become a bit more of a restaurant with rooms - the award-wining food was so good it overshadowed the bar. But we’re including it anyway because it still has all the requisite features and is a great spot for couples looking for a country escape.
For Walkers
- The Crab and Lobster in Sidlesham is a 16th century inn on the edge of Pagham Harbour Nature Reserve, with smart contemporary interiors. The restaurant is very popular - and well stocked with local supplies, and the views over the salt marshes are very peaceful.
- The Horse Guards Inn is a wonderfully homely inn on the outskirts of the 700 acre Petworth House Estate in the South Downs National Park. There are just three rooms and the atmosphere is cosy and welcoming.
- The Lamb Inn is a charming, 18th century Cotswolds inn with a beautiful rose-scented garden, large fireplaces which are roaring and lovely in the season, and 17 spacious rooms with antique furniture and original wood floors. There’s also an award-winning restaurant and great birdwatching opportunities.
- Newbury’s The Crab and Boar is an historic pub in a beautiful rural setting - this is the perfect pub with rooms for walkers. There are just 14 rooms, with cosy, contemporary decor - and some with outdoor hot tubs! There’s also a relaxed restaurant. Rooms start from around £130 per night.
- The Bell is a charming pub/ restaurant/ nine room boutique hotel, with excellent access to the beautiful Cotswolds. You’re also close to Oxford and Blenheim Palace.
- The Dundas Arms in Kintbury, in the North Downs, is a Grade II listed Georgian inn on the picturesque banks of the Kennet. The decor is classic country house hotel with feature wallpapers and luxurious bathrooms and there’s a formal dining room as well as the pub.
For a complete escape
- The White Horse Inn near Chichester is a cosy and charming inn offering 14 rustic, but elegant rooms and the option to have a private terrace with hot tub. The gardens boast panoramic views over the rolling Sussex countryside. The restaurant has a superb wine list, and the whole place is pet friendly.
- Arundel’s Swan Hotel is a charming local inn in a great spot. There are 14 rooms, decorated with simple, neutral luxury. The pub is cosy and the restaurant specialises in seasonal fare.
- The Olde Bell Inn in Hurley, is a hearty, traditional old inn - one of the oldest in England, hence the extra ‘e’ - with a gastropub restaurant, tennis courts and crisp bedrooms with lots of natural light. Great for riverbank strolling. Rooms start from around £125 per night.
- The George in Rye is historic, but very newly refurbished, so now you can expect all the modern, stylish trims inside a charming Georgian building. Each room is individual, and the atmosphere is relaxed.
The Best Value Pubs with Rooms in the South East
- Not only affordable, but also family friendly, The Bedford Arms on the Herfordshire/Buckinghamshire border offers beautifully styled rooms with a country chic feel and plenty of character throughout. The restaurant serves classic pub grub and there are loads of attractions close by.
- The Miller of Mansfield in Goring on Thames is a traditional, ivy-clad village inn with an acclaimed restaurant and 15 individually designed rooms and suites. Many of them overlook the river.
- Amersham’s The Crown Inn is a modern coaching inn, converted from a more traditional coaching inn, on the end of the Metropolitan Line, around 40minutes from central London, with 23 rooms, good food and plenty of character. Room 12 is the only room which retains a traditional feel - and you might even recognise it from the film ‘Four Weddings and a Funeral’… Romantic and affordable.
- The Ship Inn in Rye, is a laid back pub with a Michelin recommendation and ten simple rooms. It’s a traditional pub with all the best kind of details: exposed beams, wooden floors and solid, but weathered, furniture.
- The Five Arrows is another old coaching inn offering great food and great value. This time it's located near Aylesbury, on the borders of the Rothschild’s Waddesdon Manor estate. Some of the rooms have four poster beds.
If you haven’t found your idea of the best pubs with rooms in the South East on our Guru’s list you could: