Dotting the coastline and hidden away in the countryside, Cornwall is blessed with incredible inns and pubs to discover when staying in one of our beautiful holiday cottages, whatever time of year it is.
However, there’s something especially magical about stepping into a warm and welcoming pub on a winter’s day, whether you’ve been on a blustery walk or braved a bracing sea swim. It’s somewhere where you can get cosy and tuck into some lip-smackingly tasty food and drink, while enjoying a laidback - and most often family and dog-friendly - atmosphere where you can draw up a chair in front of a blazing fire.
From bustling town pubs and ancient harbourside inns to idyllic countryside watering holes, all are made that much more special when they’re blessed with a fire, so here are our top picks of cosy Cornish pubs to go out and discover for yourself…
The Gurnard’s Head, near Zennor
Best for: Incredible food and Wuthering Heights vibes
Nr Zennor, St Ives TR26 3DE
gurnardshead.co.uk
Enjoying a spectacular setting amongst the wilderness of the north Cornish coast in the far west between St Ives and St Just, the gorse-yellow Gurnard’s Head is hard to miss. Step inside and you’ll find the warmest of welcomes with gorgeously cosy décor, awe-inspiring views, and crackling open fires.
The highlight of the Gurnard is its incredible food; book yourself a table in advance (it’s always busy) and make time to enjoy such delights as whole plaice with caper, brown shrimp, and lemon butter and venison haunch with black pudding and quince. Accompanied by a glass of local gin and tonic or a hoppy pint of cask ale, there’s no better way to spend a few hours. Within easy reach of the Minack Theatre, Sennen, Penzance and Land’s End, it’s easy to fit in a visit during a day out exploring the far west reaches of Cornwall.
Jamaica Inn, Bodmin
Best for: Literary dreaming and ghostly visitors
Bolventor, Bodmin Moor PL15 7TS
jamaicainn.co.uk
Possibly the most famous inn in literature, Du Maurier’s Jamaica Inn is very much alive and well, hunkering down in the wilds of Bodmin Moor. Whether you’re visiting for a pint after a circular walk on the moors, seeking a hearty lunch with your family or just a coffee while out exploring, this is a characterful spot with roaring open fires to warm up by if you’re feeling a bit chilly.
There’s a museum on site where you can learn tales of wreckers and cunning Cornish smugglers as well as a collection of Daphne du Maurier memorabilia. If you’re feeling brave, delve into tales of ghosts and hauntings on one of their paranormal investigations. If that’s not spooky enough for you, combine it with a visit to nearby Bodmin Jail for a delve into life as an 18th-century prisoner.
The Three Pilchards, Polperro
Best for: Seafood and smuggling stories
Quay Road, Polperro PL13 2QZ
threepilchardspolperro.co.uk
Situated right on the quay in pretty Polperro near Looe lies this wonderful pub, built in the 16th century. Named after the three prolific pilchard factories in the village, The Three Pilchards is swathed in rumour and intrigue, and is said to have been involved in smuggling and contraband liquor as well as ghostly goings-on. Today, it’s a fantastically characterful pub with a great rooftop garden with lovely views over the harbour, but it’s arguably best in winter, when the log fire is roaring and you can draw up a chair to get warm.
As you might expect, the seafood here is outstanding, with the likes of a hot fish platter (which includes smoked haddock scotch egg and pancetta wrapped cod), scallops and fish pie on the menu, all accompanied by local ales and a fantastic selection of wines and spirits. Afterwards, take a stroll around the picturesque harbour and pop into the Polperro Harbour Heritage Museum of Smuggling and Fishing for a fascinating glimpse into life in Polperro during the 18th century.
The Port William, Trebarwith Strand
Best for: Breathtaking views and family get-togethers
Trebarwith Strand, Tintagel PL34 0HB
theportwilliam.co.uk
Hunkered down on the side of a steep valley overlooking the impressive coastline of Trebarwith Strand, The Port William is a fabulously family-and-dog friendly pub that’s great for a bite to eat while exploring this beautiful stretch of Cornwall. With huge windows to make the most of the breathtaking views, in winter this is a great stop-off, with the fires roaring inside and the waves crashing outside.
Expect a warm welcome and hearty pub grub, as well as excellent beers courtesy of St Austell Brewery – just what’s needed whether you’ve been on the beach, visiting nearby Tintagel, strolling around the gorgeous village of Boscastle, or having a stomp up Rocky Valley.
St Tudy Inn, St Tudy
Best for: A cosy country escape
St Tudy, Bodmin PL30 3NN
sttudyinn.com
This lovely 16th century pub lies in the picture-perfect village of St Tudy, which is nestled in the countryside between Bodmin Moor and Port Isaac. Warm and welcoming, it’s a wonderful pitstop whether you’ve had a breathtaking walk along the cliffs on the South West Coastal Path or taken a scenic drive through the wilds of the moors. With a bar and two cosy restaurant areas, each with a roaring log burner, it’s the perfect place to unwind and warm up.
For rumbling tums, there’s a fantastic menu of tasty fare that draws on the local larder of North Cornwall, including St Austell Bay mussels, hearty pie of the day, crab rarebit on toast and slow cooked short rib of beef. Their Sunday lunches are renowned in the area, while you can sip on local beers and ales, as well as fine wines and small-batch spirits.
Victoria Inn, Perranuthnoe
Best for: Epic roast dinners and dogs
Perranuthnoe, Penzance TR20 9NP
victoriainn-penzance.co.uk
Tucked away in the pretty village of Perranuthnoe, the Victoria Inn is a fabulously ancient hostelry that’s said to date from the 12th century, making it one of the oldest pubs in Cornwall. Ideally situated for those walking the South West Coast Path around St Michael’s Mount, this is a must for a winter warmer.
Full of character and with a roaring open fire, you can quench your thirst with their local ales, fine wines, and Cornish ciders. If you’re hungry, their award-winning food will fill rumbling tums with an ever-changing menu - their Sunday lunches are particularly good. Dog-friendly so your four-legged friend can join you too, you can head down to the beach afterwards to blow away the cobwebs.
The Blue Anchor, Helston
Best for: Olde-worlde charm and live music
50 Coinagehall Street, Helston TR13 8EL
spingoales.com
Legend has it that The Blue Anchor’s famously strong brew, Spingo, has been brewed on the premises in Helston for over 600 years, making it Cornwall’s oldest brewery. This is a traditional pub in the fullest sense as it’s just drinks on the menu (but they don’t mind you bringing in your own pasty), with several little snugs where you can sit and cradle your drink.
Full of character, the back room with its original fireplace is the spot to claim on cold days for a warm and cosy seat – if you’re feeling super brave, bag the seats directly next to the fire, but beware, it gets super warm! Out back there’s plenty of seating and a skittle alley that’s often host to live music throughout the year. A perfect stop off if you’ve been walking through nearby Penrose Estate from Porthleven or if you’re taking part in the town’s annual Flora Day festivities in May.
The Pandora Inn, Restronguet
Best for: Dreamy settings and tasty food
Restronguet Creek, Mylor Bridge, Falmouth TR11 5ST
pandorainn.com
Enjoying the most spectacular setting overlooking Restronguet Creek, the incredible Pandora Inn dates back in parts to the 13th century and is just a dream to look at with its thatched roof, flagstone floors, and low beams. Well-known for its pontoon and outside seating, it’s equally lovely on chillier days when the log fires are blazing and you can snuggle up in a cosy nook and enjoy the atmospheric surroundings.
With an award-winning menu, it would be a crime not to have a bite to eat here, whether you’re after a hefty sandwich or the full three courses that make the most of the local produce, while there’s a plethora of Cornish tipples on offer from beers and ciders to gin and even wines from Cornwall and Devon. Whether you’ve been walking the trails around the many creeks of the Fal River or come from exploring nearby Truro, a stop here will be a memorable one.
Pennycomequick, Falmouth
Best for: A bustling vibe and warm welcome
16 Killigrew Street, The Moor, Falmouth TR11 3PN
pennycomequick.co.uk
Stretching out along Falmouth’s The Moor, this bustling pub is well worth a visit for its lively vibe and fantastic music scene on a night out. It’s also famed for its great food, which can be munched next to the gorgeous wood burner. Serving seasonal Cornish fare, the menu changes with the seasons and their Sunday lunches are rated top-notch.
For a tasty tipple, beers come from St Austell Brewery and ciders from Healey’s cider farm in Newquay, while there are seasonal cocktails on offer as well as small-batch spirits. Pop in here after exploring this amazing harbour and university town, whether that’s discovering the National Maritime Museum, some time on one of its three beaches, or enjoying a spot of shopping.
The Rising Sun, St Mawes
Best for: Gorgeous views and people watching
St Mawes, Truro TR2 5DJ
risingsunstmawes.co.uk
Set in the heart of the pretty village of St Mawes with wonderful views over the harbour and across the Roseland Peninsula, The Rising Sun is a lovely place to hit pause on your adventures, whether for brunch, lunch, dinner or just a coffee. Dog friendly, it’s a cosy spot in the cooler months with a flickering log fire to welcome you as you sit and watch the world go by outside.
Serving contemporary and classic pub fare, you’ll find Newlyn-landed fish and chips alongside BBQ pulled jackfruit bao buns, accompanied by a fantastic range of drinks to choose from. Afterwards, there’s much to see and do in St Mawes such as taking a stroll along the waterfront to explore St Mawes Castle, a Tudor fortress built by Henry VIII, or popping on a boat to enjoy a cruise along the river towards Trelissick Gardens.
Cobweb Inn, Boscastle
Best for: A charming setting
The Bridge, Boscastle PL35 0HE
cobweb-boscastle.co.uk
The Cobweb Inn has served beer as a Free House since the 1700s, when it brewed its own beer, wine and spirits to stock the 22 (yes, 22!) pubs in Boscastle. Set over five floors, it once stored all kinds of things as well as beer such as grain, coal, pottery, timber and iron – but all the time having a small bar so you were guaranteed to get a drink whatever you were up to!
Today, the Cobweb still retains its lovely olde-worlde feel, and is a great family-friendly place to stop off for a bite to eat. Known for its purse-friendly prices, you’ll get a warm welcome here both from the people and its gorgeous open fire, guaranteed to warm you up after a walk over the cliffs or maybe a visit to the Museum of Witchcraft and Magic. There’s live music on Saturday nights, which is a popular event for the village, so it’s worth booking in advance.
Cadgwith Cove Inn, Cadgwith
Best for: A cosy stop off after a clifftop walk
Cadgwith, TR12 7JX
cadgwithcoveinn.com
The beautiful fishing village of Cadgwith lies on the Lizard Peninsula, and the Cadgwith Cove Inn sits nestled at its heart, surrounded by chocolate-box-pretty thatched cottages and a picturesque pebbly cove. A proper Cornish pub with over 300 years of history, it’s a must for a bite to eat and drink, and it’s dog-friendly too! Snug and welcoming inside, with a warming open fire on cooler days, it’s a great spot to warm up after you’ve been wild swimming or walking over the cliffs.
The Ship Inn, Porthleven
Best for: Storm watching
Mount Pleasant Road, Porthleven TR13 9JS
theshipinnporthleven.co.uk
Jutting out over the harbour, The Ship Inn in Porthleven is an iconic sight, much loved by locals and visitors alike. Dating back to the 17th century, it’s the place to go for stormy sea gazing, watching the waves crash over the pier as you get warm by the large open fire. With beer mats and old brasses covering every inch of the pub’s walls and ceiling, it’s a busy spot but the perfect place to secure yourself a corner and hunker down for the night, imagining what it must have been like years ago when fishermen would haul up for the night and come here for an ale or two. It’s accessible by steep steps, but well worth the short climb for the fabulous experience.
The Ship has a small kitchen that has an ever-changing menu (just be prepared for a little wait if it’s busy – but it’s worth it), and there’s always five cask ales on tap as well as a wide range of wines, lagers, spirits and ciders. A great pitstop if you’re walking along the South West Coast Path, it’s also great to visit after a day on Porthleven beach or if you’ve braved a dip in the harbour. You can take a peek at the view from our webcam that’s situated on the pub itself!
The Admiral Benbow, Penzance
Best for: Fascinating surroundings and pirate-themed menus
46 Chapel Street, Penzance TR18 4AF
thebenbow.com
Take a stroll down Chapel Street in the heart of Penzance and make sure to pop into this quirky, historical landmark. Welcoming ‘pirates, smugglers and rum since 1695’, this memorable inn houses not only a fine beverage or two but a unique collection of wreckage and maritime artefacts rescued from Cornish shipwrecks over the last 400 years.
From ship figureheads to a complete interior of a ship, there’s lots to see before sitting down by the flickering wooden fire with your drink, imagining what it must have looked like when Robert Louis Stevenson visited in 1880 (the Benbow is said to have inspired him when writing Treasure Island). You’ll also get a great bite to eat here, from wild Cornish mussels and pirate fish pie to slow cooked pork belly and Davey Jones’ pizza. Afterwards, head down to the fantastic promenade for a walk to nearby Newlyn for some fresh sea air.
The Ship Inn, Mousehole
Best for: Cosy stormy nights and hearty pub grub
Mousehole, TR19 6QX
shipinnmousehole.co.uk
Lying alongside the harbour in the beautiful seaside village of Mousehole, The Ship Inn is all that you want from a coastal pub: exposed beams, flagstone floors, and crackling open fires - not to mention plenty of cosy nooks and corners to hunker down in on a stormy night. Tuck in to fish and chips (caught just up the road in Newlyn) and take a good draught of your favourite tipple or try something new courtesy of St Austell Brewery.
Whether you’ve a holiday cottage in Mousehole and want to while away an evening, or are just visiting for the day, this is a great place to call into if you want to warm up by the fire and gaze out of the window at the harbour views (which are particularly beautiful at Christmas when the harbour fills with twinkling lights). Afterwards, potter around the art galleries and shops, enjoy a walk around the harbour, or take to the coastal path towards Lamorna, said to be one of the toughest stretches of the South West Coastal Path.
The Sloop, St Ives
Best for: Hustle and bustle and harbour views
The Warf, St Ives TR26 1LP
sloop-inn.co.uk
One of Cornwall’s most iconic pubs and dating from around 1312, The Sloop Inn in St Ives is a must when visiting this bustling town with so much to see and do. Just a cobbled stretch from the water’s edge, it’s hugely popular in summer with its plentiful seating and arguably the best views over the harbour and beach.
In cooler months, however, you’ll find it a warm and welcoming spot inside, complete with a wood burner to keep things snug and homely. As well as a great drinks selection, you’ll find tasty grub here with a leaning towards seafood such as Cornish seafood paella and line-caught St Ives Mackerel. The perfect place to warm up after a walk around the coastline or a bit of shopping through the winding streets, you’ll not find a better spot to watch the world go by.
Keen to start exploring Cornwall’s cosiest pubs and inns? Take a peek at our beautiful holiday cottages in Cornwall and start planning your getaway today.
Tags: Cornwall | Pubs | Winter | Food and Drink | Autumn |