Travel site Locals Insider have revealed the 10 UK beer gardens that they say should be on every pub lover’s bucket list for 2026.
Covering England, Scotland, and Wales, the list includes coastal terraces, countryside retreats, riverside gardens, and remote pubs surrounded by some of the UK’s most dramatic landscapes. The ranking assessed each beer garden on its scenery, uniqueness, atmosphere, reputation, and the overall experience.
Taking the top spot is the Anchor Inn, in Beer, Devon (pictured). The cliffside beer garden looks out across Lyme Bay and the Jurassic Coast. Locals Insider crowned it the UK’s number one bucket list beer garden thanks to its combination of incredible sea views, traditional fishing village charm, and one of the country’s most impressive pub backdrops.
In second place is Tŷ Coch Inn in Porthdinllaen, North Wales — a beachfront pub reached via a coastal walk or boat, with uninterrupted views across Cardigan Bay. Standing on a beach largely owned by the National Trust, it has become one of Britain’s most iconic seaside drinking spots and narrowly missed out on the top position.
Third place goes to The Old Forge, in Inverie, Scottish Highlands, Britain’s most remote mainland pub. Surrounded by mountains, lochs and wilderness, reaching the pub is part of the experience, with visitors arriving via ferry from Mallaig or a challenging seven-mile mountain crossing.
The rest of the top ten, in ascending order, comprises:
- The Gurnard’s Head, Zennor, Cornwall
- The Perch, Oxford
- The Ship Inn, Elie, Fife
- The Pandy Inn, Dorstone, Herefordshire
- The Tan Hill Inn, Yorkshire Dales
- The Stag on the River, Eshing, Surrey
- The Stackpole Inn, Pembrokeshire
“The UK has an incredible pub culture, and this list highlights some of the beer gardens that deserve a place on every pub lover’s bucket list,” said Martin Danemaq, of Locals Insider.
