Our pick of pubs with log fires

One of the best things about winter is wrapping up warm, putting your boots on and heading out on a long, frosty country walk. Whether you choose to have a thoughtful, solitary walk with your four-legged friend or a multi-generational expedition with all the family, certain considerations about your route are paramount.

For us, the most important things to consider are vantage points for photographs, well-maintained routes (so you don’t start feeling too ‘Captain Scott in the wilderness’) and a good pub en route (preferably towards the end!). When deciding which pub to include on your walk, the pubs with log fires always edge to the top of our list.

Here are our favourite pubs to visit during winter walks from a selection of our properties. All have log fires, many are dog friendly and any one would provide a welcome break on a bracing winter stroll.

The Wheatsheaf, Combe Hay – a short walk from Laundry Cottage: this stylish yet welcoming country pub serves excellent food in a relaxed environment. We recommend that Laundry Cottage guests explore Combe Hay and the surrounding area on foot. There is a 6-mile circular walk from the property that takes you south of the village to to the nearby Wellow, before looping back through Twinhoe and returning to Combe Hay. The route includes a few inclines, so a refreshing drink and a hearty meal at The Wheatsheaf will be very welcome indeed!

The Red Lion in Long Compton – Less than 3-miles walk across the fields and along a farm track from Little Cotswold Cottage: this lovely pub is owned by the same people who own Broadway Hotel. It is very dog friendly, with a big garden for pooches to play in, two log fires for them to curl up by and water bowls left out for them to lap at. You can even purchase home cooked piggy ears for your four-legged friend when you order your pint at the bar! The food for humans is fantastic too, but a full meal may make the walk back to Great Rollright seem less appealing than it did when you set out…

If you are spending a romantic weekend at Buttercrambe Shepherd’s Hut you could do the 6-mile circular walk that takes you to the village of Buttercrambe and then onto the river path, into the village of Stamford Bridge, where you can stop off for a drink in The Three Cups. Warm your cold fingers and toes in front of the fire and, if you have brought your dog along with you, you can relax with them in the bar area.

Plan a circular walk from Betws-y-Coed during a stay at Tailor’s Cottage and relax in front of the fire at The Royal Oak Hotel. There are a number of walking routes in and around Betws-y-Coed. If you are looking for one that starts tactically close to The Royal Oak, then we recommend one of the river walks. A 6-mile round trip takes you from the bridge opposite the hotel, along the river, through woodland and meadows to the Miners’ Bridge. From here you walk to the romantic Swallow Falls, which are especially impressive after rain.

Your route back takes you past the iconic landmark Ty Hyll (Ugly House), returning to the village along the pavement next to the A5. Once back in the village, it would surely be rude not to check out the hospitality of The Royal Oak before you head home to Tailor’s Cottage?

If you are as fond as we are of pubs with log fires, then book a winter break with us at one of these unique destinations and give yourself the opportunity to truly enjoy some quality fireside time.