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Nothing says the British summer more than Cornwall. For a true British seaside experience, you’ll want to make sure you allocate some time to visit the pubs of Cornwall. In a region famous for being the UK’s premier summer tourism hub, pubs are the place to soak up some local culture.
Historically, the people of Cornwall worked as miners or sailors. If you know anything about mining or sailing, you’ll quickly understand these folks don’t mess about when it comes to their pubs.
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1. The Old Ale House, Truro
From trendy to traditional, The Old Ale House offers countless Cornish beers and ciders available on tap. I recommend visiting here if you want to try something local. I’m a big fan of the friendly bartenders, who will be happy to offer a few samples and help find something that you’ll like.
For regulars and travelers alike, grab a pint and pair it with some traditional pub snacks. I recommend trying the pork scratching or dry roasted nuts.
When you walk into this bar and hear something cracking underfoot, don’t worry. It’s the tradition in here to help yourself to the free barrel of peanuts and throw the empty shells on the floor, so the place is littered with them.
If you have a nut allergy, it’s best to steer clear of the Old Ale House; there are many other pubs in Cornwall to choose from.
2. The Blue Anchor, Helston
The Blue Anchor is one of the oldest pubs in Cornwall, dating back to the 15th century. This is a classic establishment with an extremely low ceiling and multiple rooms for drinking. You’ll find some fascinating paraphernalia covering the walls, such as a poster outlining the crimes committed in Helston back in the 1800s.
The Blue Anchor is the proud producer of Spingo Ale, made in their very own beer brewery – the oldest brewery in Cornwall. They make a variety of classic cask ales, which are all available on tap. Trying Springo Ale at The Blue Anchor is one of those experiences that many a Cornish person will tell is an essential part of visiting Cornwall for the first time.
If real English ale isn’t your thing, you can also find some lovely Cornish cider or one of the commercial beers such as Heineken available on tap. With a historic atmospheric, this truly is one of my favorite pubs in Cornwall.
3. The Front, Falmouth
Set in an old cellar, it’s not surprising that the Front keeps many local beers on draught. What is surprising, however, is the fantastic ambience and range of characters which you’ll find drinking here. The pub is located in the young city of Falmouth, so it attracts progressive students and beer lovers of many generations all the same.
The Front runs a pub quiz every Sunday evening at 8 pm which is hugely popular. Arrive early to get a seat.
Like many pubs in Cornwall, The Front doesn’t have a kitchen. However, you are allowed to bring in your own food. This small fact is particularly convenient as The Front is only a stone’s throw away from one of the best Fish and Chip shops in the country, Harbour Lights.
Personally, I can’t think of anything better on a rainy afternoon than to pair a lovely Cornish cask ale with a few chips and a battered sausage.
4. The Ship Inn, Porthleven
Located in the impossibly pretty fishing village of Porthleven, The Ship Inn is easily the best pub in town. It’s housed in a 17th-century building located right on the waterside, and you’ll often see kids swimming in the harbor during the summer.
As you can expect from a historic pub, the interior of this place is suave. Think wooden benches, brass fittings and exposed stone walls which all contribute to the unique ambience. If you know Cornish architecture, it’s got the feel of a typical Cornish pub – but modernized.
The team at The Ship Inn prides themselves on offering the very best in Cornish beer and cider, and they also have many rotating cask ales for the opportunity to always try something new. Their small but well-executed food menu offers options like mussels, burgers, and fresh fish. You’ll always be able to find a vegan option, too.
5. The Watering Hole, Perranporth
Once a hidden local gem, this beachfront pub has recently enjoyed some social media attention. Alas the secret is out that The Watering Hole is the UK’s only live music bar on the beach, so it’s now busier than ever. Aside from that, this pub is located on one of Cornwall’s best beaches, Perranporth, and it’s an optimal space to watch the surfers.
There are not many places in UK can you sit with a pint in one hand and the sand between your toes. This beach is famous because, as legend has it, this is where St Perran, the saint of Cornish miners, first arrived in Cornwall. He was expelled from Ireland and traveled by sea to Cornwall on a rock. I like to think that if this legend were true, he would have arrived in style and surfed that rock into Perranporth beach.
Nowadays, what happens at The Watering Hole is hardly the stuff that saints would be proud of, but at least you’ll have an amazing time with gorgeous views of the water.
6. The Golden Lion, Port Isaac
Featuring continuously as the ‘Crab and Lobster’ in the hit TV series, Doc Martin, The Golden Lion is a quintessential Cornish pub set in a lovely small fishing village. They serve up pints of ale from St Austell brewery, and this is the place to be for the ultimate fishing village boozer vibes.
The Golden Lion also boasts an outdoor terrace with views over the harbor which, in my opion, means it may just be the best seat in town.
The Golden Lion has an extensive lunch and dinner menu which goes above and beyond regular pub grub. I would say that it’s also worth making the trip for their solid Sunday roast, where you can choose from three meat options or a vegetarian nut roast.
7. The Union Inn, St Ives
Stroll along St Ives High Street and you’ll find this traditional pub. In the often busy St Ives, there’s something extremely comforting about the stock of local ales and classic pub grub. Dishes such as steak and ale pie and fish pie are reason enough to prioritize a visit to The Union Inn.
With old wooden benches as well as stained-glass windows, the interior of this public house looks the part. For those seeking some nightlife in St Ives, The Union Inn hosts live music on certain evenings throughout the week. Call in for a pint or two, you won’t regret it.
Honorable Mention: Lost Brewing Co, Newquay
Though not traditional compared with other pubs in Cornwall, don’t overlook Lost Brewing Co, a laidback craft beer house. It has the right formula to make for a prestigious tavern, a big selection of tasty beers on tap and a solid food menu including sloppy burgers and halloumi fries.
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