Every blustery winter walk should end hunkered down in a cosy pub with a pie and a pint. Even better, the pub should be by the sea to watch storms roll in and winds whip up the waves as a fire crackles comfortingly beside you.
Try these:
l The Butt and Oyster, Pin Mill, Suffolk
At high tide, the River Orwell reaches the walls of the pub and pints have been known to be handed to sailors through the windows. debeninns.co.uk/buttandoyster
l Pandora Inn, Mylor, Falmouth, Cornwall
Sitting above the Restronquet Creek, this 13th-century pub is the place to perch with a bowl of mussels and watch the tide creep in. Alternatively, wrap up warm and eat outside on the pontoon. pandorainn.com
l The Little Gloster, Gurnard, Isle of Wight
The generous deck looks over the Solent – sit here and watch the yachts drift past or eat in the restaurant and watch the sun set over the horizon. thelittlegloster.com
l The Pilot Inn, Dungeness, Kent
Head here after a tramp along the UK’s biggest (and most atmospheric) shingle spit for fish, chips and mushy peas. thepilotdungeness.co.uk
l The Harbour Inn, Solva, Pembrokeshire
Sitting above the harbour in Solva National Park, this pub is rambler (and dog) friendly providing a comfortable stop-off along the coastal path. harbourinnsolva.com
Turn to page 64 of February's The Simple Things to read Clare Gogerty's piece on the invigorating yet melancholy pleasures of winter beaches.
Read more:
The essential winter beach kit
Islands of adventure: Britain's coastline
