PUB OF THE YEAR

Nominated by Pete Brown, author of The Pub

THE EARLE ARMS

NORFOLK This foodie destination in a private village is a shared secret among its patrons, who will hate me for divulging it. With chickens roaming outside, foxes stuffed inside and a lifetime’s dedication to horse-racing filling the walls, it’s a gentle rural idyll. The Green, Heydon, Norwich, NR11 6AD. earlearms.vpweb.co.uk

THE STEIN INN

ISLE OF SKYE Right on the waterside, the location of this wonderful inn is heartbreakingly beautiful. It would be difficult indeed to do something mundane in these surroundings, and Skye’s oldest pub lives up to its billing, all stone and wood, malt and seafood, served up with pride and warmth. Macleods Terrace, IV55 8GA. steininn.co.uk

THE TY COCH INN

GWYNEDD The perfect coastal pub? Ty Coch means ‘red house’ and it’s a distinctive building right on the beach of this tiny harbour clinging to the north-western tip of Wales. In summer, the beach becomes an addendum to the pub. In winter, the pub is battered by mighty waves. Porthdinllaen, Pwllheli, LL53 6DB. tycoch.co.uk

THE CROSS KEYS INN

ANTRIM A former 17th-century coaching inn, this is a must for those who want to experience pubs as they once were. It still has a thatched roof above the whitewashed walls. That can sound a little flat in print, but it fills you with pleasure when seen with your own eyes. 40 Grange Rd, Toomebridge, BT41 3QB

THE STRINES INN

YORKSHIRE It’s amazing how quickly you can get to this silent spot in the majestic moors from the centre of Sheffield. An ancient coaching inn, the Strines acquires new adornments as needed and gets rid of old ones as it feels. A perfect country inn. Bradfield Dale, Bradfield, S6 6JE. thestrinesinn. webs.com/