Three of the UK’s must-visit pubs are near London

Here at Time Out, there are two magical words which are guaranteed to put a smile on our faces: ‘day trip’. And an excursion centred around a visit to one of the country’s tippity top boozers? Well, our smiles just got even wider.

We recently updated our list of the best pubs in the UK. The ranking spans the length and breadth of the country, from historic public houses in Scotland to beach institutions in Cornwall. One London haunt – the Old Nun’s Head in the southeast of the city – also made the cut.

Plus, we have more good news for city slickers in the capital, because a further three of the UK’s must-visit pubs are within easy reach. Read on for the best pubs in the UK that are within easy reach of the capital. 

RECOMMENDED: The best pubs in London, according to Time Out.

The best pubs in the UK near London

The Old Neptune, Whitstable

First up, this Kentish haven named the best pub in the south of England (and number two in the entire country). The Neppy offers an excellent selection of reasonably priced draft beers and a fish-centric food menu of classic fish and chips, scampi and crab sandwiches (it is by the seaside, after all). Described by Time Out’s Europe Editor Ella Doyle as ‘the jewel in Whitstable’s crown’, in summer you can sit al fresco in the sunshine listening to the waves lapping just below your feet. 

How to get there from London: The drive will take you around 1 hour and 45 minutes, or you can hop on a direct train at Victoria which will drop you off in Whitstable in 1 hour and 20 minutes. The walk from the station to the pub takes less than 20 minutes.

The Britannia Inn, Dungeness

‘The view from the Britannia’s outside seating isn’t just the finest I’ve ever witnessed in a pub garden: it’s among the most fascinating views in Britain, full stop.’ A big claim by Time Out’s UK News and Features Editor Ed Cunningham, but one which has landed another Kent-based brewhouse, The Britannia Inn, on our list of the very best. There’s even a miniature steam engine nearby. Yep, we know a good time when we see one. 

How to get there from London: A train from London St Pancras will take you to Ashford International in 38 minutes. From there, you can hop on the bus to The Pilot station in Dungeness, which is a 30-minute walk along the seafront from the pub. The journey will take 2 hours and 30 minutes, approximately the same time it would take to get there in the car. 

The Basketmakers Arms, Brighton

If there’s one coastal city which punches above its weight when it comes to the perfect pint, it has to be Brighton. So it should come as no surprise that one of our best pubs is just a stone’s throw from its pebbled beach and iconic Palace Pier. The Basketmakers Arms sits on the corner of a row of terraced houses, and is tucked away from the bustling North Laine streets. Its low ceilings give a cosy vibe, vintage tobacco tins are full of hidden notes and it’s got an impressive food selection too. 

How to get there from London: Trains from London Victoria to Brighton take just under an hour, and the pub is a seven-minute walk from the station. In the car, expect to be there in just over two hours.

The best pubs in the UK, mapped

You can examine the above map in more detail (and get a regional lowdown) here.

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