5 of England’s most distinctive pubs
Author Andy Hamilton has travelled the length of Britain in search of the perfect pint – here he lists the most unique pubs he came across on his quest
1. Best pub toilet: Philharmonic Dining Rooms
Corner of Hope and Hardman St, Liverpool, L1 9BX
Chandeliers hanging from the ceiling, ornate wood panels across the walls, an intricately patterned bar and stain glass windows, this pub is dripping with luxury and drinking here is like drinking in a stately home.
Yet it’s not just the pub that is worthy of your time but also its toilets, which are Grade 2 listed and made of a rosette marble. The downside? The door keeps opening with women who want a peek at the world-famous gents’! The ale list is well-curated too and ever changing.
2. Longest bar: The Falcon
33 Bedford Rd, Clapham, London SW4 7SQ
There is nothing worse than standing three-deep at a bar waiting to be served on a busy Saturday night. Except perhaps joining an orderly but ravenous queue for food in a pub on a Sunday afternoon. Not so at the Falcon, which holds the record for the longest bar in the UK. Plenty of room then to spread out and wait your turn. What’s more, they always have a fine selection of ales on offer.
3. Highest pub: The Tan Hill Inn
Reeth, Richmond, Swaledale, North Yorkshire Dales, DL11 6ED
Standing at 528m above sea level, the Tan Hill Inn is the highest inn in the British Isles. This isolated pub is a must for walkers and bikers crossing the Pennine Way. And if you are too tired (or drunk) to walk any further there are plenty of rooms available. With live music every Saturday and Black Sheep or Theakston on tap, isolation never felt so welcoming!
