Eight British pubs for your next weekend break

The Gurnard's Head on the wild Penwith peninsula is an iconic clifftop inn, a real beacon on the Cornish coast and sets the standard for relaxed, convivial hospitality. 'Eat, Drink, Sleep' is the mantra, and the place lives up to its promise, with cosy-rustic rooms and the kitchen championing seasonal Cornish produce. The scenery is stunning and dramatic coast walks will certainly blow the cobwebs away – walk the cliffs to St Ives and bus back to Treen for a reviving supper. gurnardshead.co.uk

Once the Abbot's Priory, the historic Lord Crewe Arms in Co. Durham boasts ancient flagstones, heavy oak doors, chunky trestle tables, wall sconces and medieval-style chandeliers. The vaulted, candlelit Crypt Bar is a cosy and atmospheric place to hunker down on wild winter nights to sup Northumbrian ales. The original Abbey cloister garden is a Grade I listed space that comes complete with ruins and stunning views. Special indeed. lordcrewearmsblanchland.co.uk

The Anchor is a vibrant village inn just a short stroll from the sand dunes and beaches of the Suffolk coast. It's the perfect spot to go a crabbing on the quay with a bacon-baited line, to dip your toes in the chilly water, or to walk the coast path down to Dunwich. Foodies flock from afar for daily menus, which brim with local ingredients, the elegant, earthy and full flavoured food, and the amazing beer and wine lists. Contemporary rooms in cedar-clad chalets suit the setting perfectly. anchoratwalberswick.com

Timbrell's Yard in Bradford on Avon is a stunning riverside property, explore the independent shops in the town, or take the short train to Bath for some serious retail therapy. Lovingly transformed into a stylish inn that combines traditional features with contemporary design, there’s a passion for local producers, good modern food is served all day, and the comfortable rooms are quirky and fun. Make sure you go for one with a river view. timbrellsyard.com

Rescued and stylishly revamped in 2013, the Milk House in Sissinghurst, Kent has a laid-back vibe, brilliant staff and exciting food on crowd-pleasing menus. The four very relaxing bedrooms provide the perfect bolthole for visiting magnificent Sissinghurst Castle Garden, a stroll away across fields. Visit on a balmy June day for heady fragrances and vibrant colours from thousands of blooms. themilkhouse.co.uk

Set in the glorious open country of the North Tyne Valley and Kielder Water in Northumberland, The Battlesteads in Wark is a sustainable eco-pub with a wood-chip boiler, solar panels and its own market garden. Swap wifi for dark skies and take advantage of the pub's own Dark Skies Observatory, or stay in luxury lodges with controllable roof lights that mean you can lie in bed watching the night sky. battlesteads.com

Set on the banks of the River Hodder, in splendid isolation amid the wild and breathtaking beauty of Lancashire’s Trough of Bowland, The Inn at Whitewell is a classic shooting and fishing inn. The ancient stone hostelry is also the perfect resting place following invigorating moorland rambles. It oozes warmth, personality and a pleasing quirkiness and you can savour the spectacular views from almost every room. Expect huge fires, tasty food and great wine in luxurious yet unpretentious surroundings. innatwhitewell.com

If you fancy a break at one of these fine British public houses, you can book at innplaces.co.uk