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Best pub walks

An exterior view of an old pub made of light-coloured stone with plants growing outside it.
The George Inn pub in Lacock village, Wiltshire | © National Trust Images/James Dobson

We care for 39 historic, characterful pubs and inns across the country, including the Sticklebarn Tavern in Great Langdale, Cumbria, which we also manage and run. As well as offering delicious ales and locally sourced food, many of the pubs in our care are a great place to stop off for refreshment during a circular walk, or have great walking opportunities nearby. Here's a selection of historic pubs we care for with great walking opportunities nearby.

Walks with a pub on the route

The following pubs feature on walking trail routes and you can incorporate them as a welcome refreshment stop during or after your walk.

The Buck's Arms, Blickling, Norfolk
Enjoy a refreshing walk around Blickling's parkland, visiting Great Wood, the Tower and the Brickyard along the way on this 4.5 mile route. Afterwards you can stop for a drink at the Bucks Arms, a tenanted, traditional 17th-century pub and former coaching inn on the estate.Walking trail: Blickling Hall
Hunter's Inn, Heddon Valley, Devon
Hunter's Inn surrounded by leafy trees, Heddon Valley, Devon | © National Trust Images/Mel Peters
Hunter’s Inn, Heddon Valley, North Devon
Hunter’s Inn, now cared for by the National Trust, has been popular with visitors to North Devon since the 19th century. This trail starts and ends near the pub, taking you through the Heddon Valley, an area loved for its wealth of wildlife, and onwards out towards the sea, before returning to the pub.Heddon Valley Walk
The Red Lion, Lacock, Wiltshire
The Red Lion, Lacock is steeped in over 200 years of history. With its large open fireplace, candlelit tables, flagstone floors and Georgian interior it's the perfect place to experience a friendly, traditional atmosphere. From here you can discover Lacock village on a gentle 1.3-mile walk.Lacock village walk
The Tiger Inn, East Dean, East Sussex
Although the Tiger Inn in East Dean isn’t one of the pubs we care for it is the starting point for our circular South Downs walk to Birling Gap, part of the Seven Sisters chalk cliffs. You can pick up a beermat with the route on it from the pub and stop for a refreshing drink when you get back.Birling Gap walk from the Tiger Inn
Tŷ Coch Inn, Porthdinllaen, Llŷn Peninsula
Surround yourself with beautiful views on this walk at Porthdinllaen, and finish your coastal stroll with a relaxing evening in the Tŷ Coch Inn. During the late 19th and early 20th centuries, the Tŷ Coch Inn was run by a landlady known as Mrs Jones, who used it as a small private school for girls. She also worked as the harbour master at Porthdinllaen and still had time to raise six children.Porthdinllaen walk, Llŷn Peninsula

Pubs near great places to walk

Some of the historic pubs and inns we care for are only a short drive away from relaxing walking opportunities. Check locally for public transport links.

The George Inn, Southwark, London
The capital’s last remaining galleried inn, The George Inn in Southwark, could be a welcome refreshment stop on a walk along the Thames Path National Trail. The site has connections with Charles Dickens, who visited it when it was a coffee shop and mentioned it in Little Dorrit. The National Trust cares for the inn, but it's now managed by Greene King and you're advised to book ahead before you visit.Visit the George Inn
Interior of the George Inn in Southwark, London
The George Inn in Southwark, London | © National Trust Images/Michael Caldwell
The Fleece Inn, Bretforton, Worcestershire
Originally built as a farmhouse, The Fleece Inn at Bretforton was first licensed in 1848. It’s just a stone’s throw from the Cotswold Way National Trail at Chipping Camden, or you could take a trip to Hidcote for a peaceful garden stroll.Visit the Cotswolds
The Crown Bar, Belfast
The Crown Bar is an icon among the bars of Belfast. Its wonderfully atmospheric setting, with period gas lighting and cosy snugs, provides the perfect place to relax after some urban exploration or a roam around the meadows and woodlands of Minnowburn.Visit the Crown Bar
The King's Head, Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire
Set in the heart of this historic market town, the 15th-century King's Head is one of England's best preserved coaching inns. Dating back to 1455, the King's Head has many fascinating architectural features, including rare stained-glass windows, exposed wattle and daub and the original in stables. Head out to the nearby Chilterns countryside for a ramble in the hills, before returning to the pub for a refreshing drink.Visit the King's Head
A hiker wearing an insulated jacket and a backpack watches the sunset over snowy mountain peaks

Find a walk

Discover some of the best places for walks, including ancient woodland, stretches of coast and green parkland.

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