The Blythe Hill Tavern and The Cockpit were included in the list that named the best pubs from each of England’s 48 ceremonial counties.
Travel writer Will Hawkes pulled this together “based on years of assiduous research” and some local intel.
He said: “It used to be easy to make yourself unpopular wherever you went in England. Suggest the local football team was congenitally incompetent or cast aspersions on the abilities of the region’s fish friers, say, and hackles would be raised.
“Pronounce the local pubs rubbish, from the ale to the atmosphere, though, and you’d be absolutely guaranteed a barney.
“The world has changed, but this is still a pretty reliable way to start a row in all four corners of the realm.”
The full list of the best pubs from every English county can be found on The Telegraph website here.
The two London pubs named among the best in England
The Blythe Hill Tavern on Standstead Road earned the award of the best pub in Greater London as The Telegraph writes: “The Blythe Hill Tavern hits the spot when it comes to the key pub virtues: welcoming to all, excellent beer, plenty of cosy spots, and a large back garden.
“Lovers of Irish music shouldn’t miss the Thursday-night sessions.”
On Tripadivsor, The Blythe Hill Tavern has a rating of 4.5/5 and saw one visitor share: “Very welcoming and friendly authentic unspoilt pub. Best in the area by far! Beer is good too! Would highly recommend it.”
Earning the title of the best pub in the City of London was The Cockpit on St Andrew’s Hill.
Describing the traditional pub, The Telegraph shares: “It’s remarkable that a pub as unaffected as The Cockpit can survive amidst the City of London’s recent blandification, but survive it does.
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“This street-corner pub boasts a delightfully curved black-and-gold exterior and, inside, an abundance of promotional material from the days when it was owned by the Courage brewery.”
The Cockpit has an impressive 4/5 Tripadviosr rating with one local sharing: “I’ve been a patron of The Cockpit for 50 years, however, I hadn’t been back for 10 years so was pleasantly surprised that little has changed.
“Barry was great behind the bar, mainly tourists with a couple of regulars which was a great craic.”
