ESSEX

COUNTRY

The Windmill Chatham Green, Chelmsford

The Windmill Chatham Green is tucked away in the Essex countryside, just outside Chelmsford. A finalist in our Muddy 2024 Awards for Best Essex Restaurant, here you’ll find a charming family-run and dog-friendly restaurant and pub, run by Michelin Star chef Tom Clarke and his partner Nancy Witte. Dishes on the menu use foraged and seasonal ingredients, plus there’s an impressive range of drinks, wines and local real ales.

The Eight Bells, Saffron Walden

When you want delicious food, plus a seemingly infinite range of drinks, The Eight Bells in Saffron Walden is where you want to head. This 16th century timber framed pub also has a super-stylish interior (just check out those beams!), while the ethos surrounding their menus is very much centred around the best seasonal and local ingredients.

CITY

Church Street Tavern, Colchester

A 10min stroll from Colchester’s Castle Park, Church Street Tavern is a handsome townhouse built as a savings bank around 1852. Opposite the Mercury Theatre, it’s got relaxed sofas, regional plonk and swoon-worthy local artwork. Quality dishes come as standard here, but we love the Soho House-vibe interiors and warming sourdough toasties or mussels and fries.

The Riverside Inn, Chelmsford

This renovated 17th century mill in the heart of Chelmsford is stylish inside and out. Along with a selection of classic dishes served seven days a week (their Cajun chicken burger is something else!), at The Riverside Inn you’ll also find thoughtful touches, such as complimentary games and books to enjoy while you drink and eat.

COASTAL

The Peterboat, Leigh-on-Sea

Situated in the heart of Old Leigh’s cobbled lanes with views across the estuary, it’s no surprise that The Peterboat is a staple for locals. Famed for serving the freshest fish in Leigh on Sea since 1695, head down early to bag a spot on the seafront if the weather’s playing ball and order its signature cockle chowder. If you’re lucky, you might catch one of the pub’s buzzy live music nights, too.

The Coast Inn, Mersea

How’s that for a view of the Blackwater? Get yourself to Mersea’s The Coast Inn for the perfect place to grab a drink or meal before or after you explore the Island and all it has to offer. Serving breakfast, homemade cakes, lunches and evening dinner, their specials also includes the catch of the day, which gets added literally as soon as the fisherman lands!

NORFOLK

CITY

The Garnet, Norwich Market 

For high-up views over the iconic striped stalls of Norwich Market, head to this quirky and rather tall pub. The Garnet allows you to eat food purchased from the market stalls or next door Brick Pizza (provided you buy a drink, of course). Build in time for a mooch around the Garnet’s lifestyle shop, selling tasteful homeware and locally sourced gifts.

The Red Lion, Bishopgate

Just a short stroll from the city centre, you’ll find this idyllic pub on the leafy banks of the River Wensum. The best views are from the heated terrace alongside the water’s edge (look out for the resident kingfishers). We recommended drinking in the sights over a shared grazing board and a real ale. Up for a bit of activity? You’ll find Norfolk Paddle Boards at the bottom of the garden who encourage you to ‘launch, then lunch’, or take a stroll through the historic streets to nearby Norwich Cathedral.

COASTAL

The Dun Cow, Salthouse

@theduncowsalthouse

Just across the coast road from the wild saltmarsh, The Dun Cow pub garden is hard to beat. There’s a sweeping front garden edged with airy plants, which provide dancing splashes of colour overlooking the whispering reeds and wheeling skies of North Norfolk’s stunning coast. Even the sunniest day can be breezy, so bring a jumper and then sit back and enjoy the gorgeous view (log-burning fires inside if you’d rather). Dogs on leads are most welcome, as are families (leads optional). But if you can slip off without attendant children, there’s a pretty Secret Garden at the side where only adults are allowed. Sssshhh!!

The Ship Inn, Mundesley 

@theshipinn_mundesley

A huge beer garden with sweeping sea views, featuring a nifty little play area to keep the kids busy. Er, can this truly be real? Mundesley has a beautiful sandy beach, a quieter alternative to nearby Cromer, and if you’re up for making a proper weekend out of it The Ship Inn has boutique rooms with nautical-chic decor – and sandy paws and waggy tails are welcome.

COUNTRYSIDE

Coldham Hall Tavern, Surlingham

@coldhamhalltavern

In Norfolk we really are spoilt for picturesque country pubs – and Coldham Hall Tavern with its riverside location, beautiful garden and stunning sunsets is up there with the prettiest. These guys are also on top of their food and drink footprint using beef from Yare Valley, wine from the village vineyard Winbirri and plenty more fab local producers.

The Brisley Bell, Brisley

The Brisley Bell is an award-winning village pub with a fabulous beer garden. It’s large enough to find your own little space, there’s a seated veranda for enjoying some great gastro grub, a giant weeping willow for a pint in the shade and a croquet lawn for the kids to play on! There’s also a meadow in the grounds, so mini explorers can safely go adventuring for a wee while and let you enjoy a large glass of something sparkly. And breathe.

CAMBRIDGESHIRE 

RIVERSIDE

The Taproom, St Ives 

You’re a stone’s throw from the gorgeous St Ives Bridge over the River Great Ouse at this cool bar – seriously be careful on your way home if you’ve had a few too many of the amazing cocktails on offer, otherwise you might end up rather wet! It’s not just the location that’s central here, this stylish riverside bar is central to the St Ives community and perfectly combines the friendly welcome of a small town with the cool, buzzy atmosphere of a bar in a bigger city. With luxe jewel-toned furnishings, a lovely garden space, and a relaxed vibe that holds throughout the day, it’s the perfect place to meet your mum for coffee in the day and your girls for a drink, dinner and a dance come the evening.

The Plough, Fen Ditton

The Plough’s riverside location, courtyard, beer garden and fire pit area make it high on our list of pubs to visit for al fresco dining in the summer months. You can graze on sharing dishes like baked camembert, fried chicken or pizzas, or indulge in a dirty burger or keep it clean with a healthy nourish bowl salad. Something for everyone and loads of green space to relax by the river.

CITY

The Anchor, Cambridge

In summer this stretch of the River Cam is a lively spot with a fabulous vibe. If you’re lucky you can nab a spot to soak it all up from The Anchor’s (on Silver Street) small terrace. Tucked beside the bridge, you almost feel like you’re in the river as punts glide by just inches away. It’s a top spot for novices falling in too, so you’ll be well entertained. Food here is classic, but very good, pub grub!

The Eagle, Cambridge 

We couldn’t talk about Cambridge pubs without mentioning the most famous of all the drinking holes in the city… The Eagle. This pub is well known for being the place that Watson and Crick announced that they had “discovered the secret of life” – the structure of DNA. It’s also the second oldest pub in the city, dating back to 1667. In terms of views, it’s not exactly got a rooftop terrace over the city (you’ll have too go to SIX at the Varsity Hotel for that), but it is on quaint Bene’t Street, right by the Corpus Christi Clock and just steps away from King’s College Chapel. 

COUNTRYSIDE 

The Carpenters Arms, Great Wilbraham

The Carpenters Arms is a newly refurbished pub in Great Wilbraham in South Cambridgeshire, a lovely rural village surrounded by miles and miles of gorgeous walks and charming countryside. Good news then, that it’s really dog friendly (including in three bedrooms) so you’ll have your four-legged friend to enjoy the bucolic sights with. The huge glass extension has a brilliant ambiance and is wonderful in summer, while there’s cosier original rooms with roaring fires in winter. The food is so much more than just pub fare – it’s high end, locally sourced and really rather exquisite. 

The Plough, Coton

Cambs locals love this smart gastropub in the pretty village of Coton, just outside Cambridge, which serves the kind of quality Sunday roast with all the trimmings we’re willing to drive many miles for. The menu’s full of classics like fillet of hake with butternut squash, crushed potatoes and sundried tomatoes; and braised beef bourguignon with pancetta lardons, truffle mash and parsnips. The dishes are pretty as a picture – literally, they’re all over Instagram. There’s a great outside space too including a play area, massive terrace and private meadow. Coton might be on the outskirts of Cambridge, but it has its own 300 acre nature reserve and feels a million miles from the city. 

SUFFOLK

COASTAL 

The Ramsholt Arms, Woodbridge

Pretty coastal views as far as the eye can see from this waterside pub near Woodbridge. Watch sail boats bobbing along on the River Deben from the lovely garden or in colder weather from the massive picture windows inside as you munch on classic pub fare (with plenty of fish dishes). As the only south-facing pub on the river sun seekers love it, and the sunsets are really rather special.

The Butt & Oyster, Pin Mill 

This River Orwell pub (famous for being the setting for Arthur Ransome’s We Didn’t Mean To Go To Sea, Swallows & Amazons book) is perfectly placed for many lovely walks around the area. Once you sit down and take in the views though you might not be so keen to continue your stroll. The changing tide and pretty masts bobbing around will entrance you while you enjoy the extensive pub menu.

COUNTRYSIDE

The Packhorse Inn, Moulton

The Packhorse Inn has just been lovingly refurbished with updates in early 2024 including a brand new light-filled barn restaurant area with gorgeous views over one of the prettiest Suffolk villages. The kitchen has also been extended to include a viewing window so you can keep an eye on your food being lovingly prepared. Boutique rooms have also been added out the back and all areas from the wood-panelled bar to the characterful private function room have been given a Instagrammable facelift. Plus there’s a large garden to soak up the sun over the summer months.

The Brewers, Rattlesden 

The Brewers in Rattlesden is a lovingly restored, cosy and characterful pub with an exciting menu that celebrates local food, a fabulous choice of drinks and a wonderful atmosphere that welcomes everyone, including dogs. Inside is all pretty beams and twinkling lights, while outside you’ll find a pub garden that’s so lovely it was voted as one of the UK’s prettiest pub gardens in The Times. The village of Rattlesden is a bucolic beauty too, the perfect location for a countryside escape. 

The Black Lion, Long Melford 

As countryside locations go, they don’t get much more picturesque than The Black Lion in Long Melford. This dreamy 15th century gastropub with rooms overlooks the large village green, lined with candy-coloured historic houses and a wow-factor wool church. Don’t just stop by for a drink, because the food is fabulous, especially the Sunday roast – you’ll have worked up an appetite visiting all the antiques shops in the village too. There’s a pretty country garden out the back that’s a real sun trap in summer and plenty of walks and attractions right on the doorstep including Melford Hall and Kentwell Hall. 

CITY

The Wine Cellar, Bury St Edmunds 

Not a “pub” exactly but we couldn’t leave this little gem out of the edit. The Wine Cellar in Bury St Edmunds is a fabulous wine bar with a choice of over 100 bottles served alongside sharing plates and grazing boards. The owner is seriously knowledgeable, so tell him what you’re in the mood for and you can be sure he’ll find something to suit. If you’re not into wine then don’t worry because there are also beers, spirits, soft drinks and a zero alcohol range. In terms of location you couldn’t be better, right in the thick of the action on Bury’s historic Buttermarket, and just round the corner from the UK’s smallest pub, The Nutshell, if you fancy a mini bar crawl! 

The Crown, Woodbridge 

Looking for a gastropub in the centre of Woodbridge? Then The Crown is the place to head since it bagged MasterChef finalist and TV food expert Sci Daniels as head chef. The whole pub has had a brilliant refurbishment too, making it a beautiful and buzzy place to be, plus it’s right in the centre of the action in charming Woodbridge, looking out over the historic streets of this wonderful riverside town. 

Want more from East Anglia? Check out our local county sites for the inside line on what’s happening in Essex, Norfolk, Suffolk and Cambridgeshire.