
20 ‘must-visit pubs' in the Lothians chosen by drinker's bible The Good Beer Guide
The annual publication, which surveys 4,500 of the best boozers across the UK, is renowned as the definitive beer drinker's guide.
Browse our photo gallery to see the 20 pubs in the Lothians championed in the guide.
1 . 20 'must-visit pubs' in the Lothians - in pictures
Take a look through our gallery to see 20 'must-visit pubs' in the Lothians, as chosen by drinker's bible The Good Beer Guide . Photo: Pixabay Photo Sales
2 . The Brig & Barrel - Bellhaven, Dunbar
8 High Street, Belhaven, Dunbar EH42 1NP Photo: Third Party Photo Sales
3 . The Old Clubhouse - Gullane
East Links Road, Gullane EH31 2AF Photo: Third Party Photo Sales
4 . The Riccarton Inn - Currie
Address: 198 Lanark Road West, Currie EH14 5NX Photo: Third Party Photo Sales
Related topics: LothiansCAMRA

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Time Out
3 days ago
- Time Out
The best beer in Britain has been crowned for 2025
For some people, plain old lager just isn't enough. Luckily when it comes to beer, the options are endless. Is your favourite a chocolatey porter, a fruity IPA, or something more left-field, like a tzatziki sour? The people at the Campaign For Real Ale (CAMRA) have named the UK's best beer for 2025 in the annual Beer of Britain championships. The CAMRA competition is one of the stiffest, and most prestigious, ale contests in the world; 12 finalists were judged by a team of beer experts to be named gold, silver or bronze in the championships. A dark ale brewed by Cornwall's Penzance Brewing Company was crowned as CAMRA's Champion Beer of Britain 2025. Called 'Mild', the brew was lauded for its complex flavour with notes of coffee, chocolate and dried fruits. This is what Christine Cryne, Champion Beer of Britain judging coordinator, said about Mild: 'The aroma of this classic dark mild has all the enticing aromas one would expect. Chocolate and sweet cocoa on the nose. Chocolate, sultanas and dry roast on the palate where the gentle pleasant sweetness is balanced by a roasty, subtle, dry bitterness. Packs a lot of flavour for a 3.6 percent beer.' Lewis Elliott and Richard Hickman of Penzance brewery said: 'It's quite overwhelming. I'm really glad the style has come back. It's down to the founder of our brewery Peter Elvin and his nephew Rob, who showed me the ropes.' Silver went to 'Snowflake', a barley wine brewed by Dudley-based brewery Sarah Hughes, while bronze was clinched by pale ale 'Fallen Angel', brewed in Nuneaton by Church End. Another Cornish beer took gold for the best bottled beer in the UK. St Austell Brewery's Proper Job, a golden IPA, was named number one for its 'strong fruity nose and a perfect balance of biscuit, citrus fruits and bitter hops'. Meanwhile, a nitro porter brewed by London craft brewer Anspach & Hobday was recently named Britain's best in the Top 50 UK Beer Awards.

South Wales Argus
09-08-2025
- South Wales Argus
The Bush Inn, Upper Cwmbran: a pub review
Landlord Rhys Bailey, a trained chef who honed his skills at the Celtic Manor, runs the pub with a clear sense of pride and purpose. 'It's a proper pub, not many left these days. We offer a warm welcome, especially in winter when the fire is burning.' Inside, the pub is split across two levels, with a cosy parlour and a larger lounge area. The log fire glows in the colder months, casting a comforting light over the old photographs and quirky antiques. It's the kind of place where locals gather not just for a pint, but for conversation, music, and community. Regulars often jam around the big table in the bar, strumming ukuleles and singing together in impromptu sessions that feel more like family gatherings than performances. However, when the Argus visited, the 'usual suspects' were allegedly on tour. Customers enjoyed a relaxed night out at the Bush Inn (Image: NQ) The Bush Inn's weekly rhythm is built around themed food nights and live entertainment. Mondays are for folk night, where acoustic jam sessions bring together musicians of all ages and abilities. Tuesdays and Fridays are pizza nights, with handmade dough and fresh toppings prepared by Rhys himself. Wednesdays are curry night, a popular midweek treat that often requires booking ahead. Thursdays are steak night, with cuts cooked to perfection. On the second Saturday of each month, the pub hosts an open mic night, giving local talent a chance to shine. Sundays wrap up the week with a lively pub quiz that draws teams from across the area. Food at The Bush Inn is simple, hearty, and made with care. One of the standout offerings is Rhys's homemade Scotch eggs, which come in four flavours: bacon, black pudding, pork sausagemeat, and chilli. 'They're a favourite among regulars and newcomers alike,' Rhys explains. The pub also features a rotating selection of ales and ciders, often sourced from small breweries in South Wales and the West Country, earning it a spot in the Good Beer Guide. Regulars, Bob Lewis and Martin Williams (L to R). Bob used to be landlord at The Bush. (Image: NQ) Dogs are welcome, and it's not uncommon to see a pooch curled up under a table while its owner enjoys a pint. The outdoor seating area is a popular spot in warmer months, offering a peaceful place to relax and take in the view. Parking is limited, so arriving early is advised, especially on busy nights. The Bush Inn (Image: NQ) The Bush Inn isn't just a place to eat and drink; it's a cornerstone of Upper Cwmbran's social life - as Upper Cwmbran as Siloam Chapel or The Square. With Rhys at the helm, it continues to thrive as a proper pub, where good food, good music, and good company are always on tap.


The Sun
06-08-2025
- The Sun
Award-winning Wetherspoons pub that has huge rooftop beer garden is right by the beach
A WETHERSPOONS pint always goes down a treat - and even more so at this one venue that has a rooftop garden and sits right by the beach. Back in 2015, The Admiral Collingwood in Ilfracombe, North Devon, scooped up the prize of best new pub at the National Pub Design Awards. 3 And since, the boozer has become an icon of Ilfracombe's seafront after judges described it as "an uncompromisingly modern building where the glass dome offers urban presence, while the rest of the main elevation is understated yet sophisticated", according to Harrison Ince Architects. Inside, new artworks were commissioned for the pub at the time, and a steel sculpture of a wave breaking was installed. On the roof of the pub, there is a beer garden which is open between March and October and boasts amazing views across the coast. One recent visitor said: "The view of the sea is amazing; the roof terrace is lovely and the drinks are true spoons quality. "We love Ilfraspoons!" According to Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA), the pub serves three changing beers which often include ales from Fat Belly, GT Ales, Exmoor, Cotleigh and Bays featuring regularly. In the summer, this increases to four beers. And then additionally, there are three regular beers on offer to punters. Visitors also get to learn a bit of histroy about the purpose built pub when they visit, as the menu states: "Until its very recent closure, the Collingwood Hotel had welcomed visitors to north Devon's Ilfracombe for over 130 years. "The imposing five-storey building was named after Admiral, Lord Collingwood, Nelson's second-in-command at Trafalgar (who fought just off the Spanish coast in 1805). "Cuthbert Collingwood fired the first shot in the battle (one of British naval history's most famous and crucial) and took over command of the British fleet after the fatal wounding of his friend Horatio Nelson." Just a short walk away from the pub is Wildersmouth Beach, which is sheltered and shingle. Despite being central to Ilfracombe, the dog-friendly beach is often less crowded than other sandy beaches nearby. 3 Ilfracombe is also home to the Landmark Theatre, in Jubilee Gardens. For art lovers, make sure to follow the coast around to Ilfracombe's harbour where you will find Damien Hirst's bonze sculpture called Verity - a half-skinned pregnant woman, who stands 20 metres tall. The high street is also said to be a "thriving hub of independent shops", according to Visit Ilfracombe. There are many craft shops, gift shops and cafes to explore - and even a coffee-cum-craft shop. Sweet tooths will also enjoy the Ilfracombe Chocolate Emporium, which sells handcrafted chocolates and has a chocolate museum - which is free to visit. And make sure to check out the department story Chas N Pedlar & Son, which has been running for over a century. The seaside town has a lot of choice for accommodating too, with lots of holiday homes. How can I save money at Wetherspoons? FREE refills - Buy a £1.50 tea, coffee or hot chocolate and you can get free refills. The deal is available all day, every day. Check a map - Prices can vary from one location the next, even those close to each other. So if you're planning a pint at a Spoons, it's worth popping in nearby pubs to see if you're settling in at the cheapest. Choose your day - Each night the pub chain runs certain food theme nights. For instance, every Thursday night is curry club, where diners can get a main meal and a drink for a set price cheaper than usual. Pick-up vouchers - Students can often pick up voucher books in their local near universities, which offer discounts on food and drink, so keep your eyes peeled. Get appy - The Wetherspoons app allows you to order and pay for your drink and food from your table - but you don't need to be in the pub to use it. Taking full advantage of this, cheeky customers have used social media to ask their friends and family to order them drinks. The app is free to download on the App Store or Google Play. Check the date - Every year, Spoons holds its Tax Equality Day to highlight the benefits of a permanently reduced tax bill for the pub industry. It usually takes place in September, and last year it fell on Thursday, September 14. As well as its 12-day Real Ale Festival every Autumn, Wetherspoons also holds a Spring Festival. A Devon local has walked the South West Coast Path numerous times – these are her best spots The Salt Path movie doesn't show. Plus, Devon is also home to the best fish and chips in the UK. 3