We’re fortunate here in Cornwall to have many fine drinking establishments from which to choose.

Many boast spectacular coastal views while others pride themselves on more than just a decent place for a pint, with Michelin star level fine dining.

Some traditional pubs meanwhile are draped in history, with tales of swashbuckling pirates and smugglers – not to mention ghosts.

Then there are those which showcase a vibrant roster of live music and serve as a cultural hub for locals and tourists alike.

Here are the top 50 finest haunts that Cornwall has to offer.

50 Union Inn, Saltash

The Union Inn, Saltash
The Union Inn, Saltash

This eye-catching pub lies beneath the Tamar Bridge in Saltash, welcoming those entering Cornwall from Devon.

The Union Inn hosts live music three times a week, boasts a unique waterside location, and is known for its memorable murals.

49 The Fox's Revenge, Summercourt

The Fox's Revenge, Summercourt
The Fox's Revenge, Summercourt

The Fox's Revenge is the latest venture from Simon and Victoria Radcliffe, who have been involved in the Old Grammar School, the Thomas Daniell and Nomad Events.

This fine Summercourt pub is the place to go for great food, outdoor movies, live music and more.

48 The Tree Inn, Stratton

The Tree Inn is among the oldest and most historic Cornish inns.

The building is a former Manor House with parts dating back to the 13th century. Resting some 1.5 miles from the northern coast, the inn’s Galleon restaurant features a beamed ceiling built from timbers from wrecked ships.

47 Bassett Arms, Portreath

Bassett Arms, Portreath
Bassett Arms, Portreath

Just 200 metres from Portreath Beach, this old traditional pub was once a favourite watering hole for seafarers and miners alike.

The beer cellar was once the mortuary for shipwrecked souls and the building is said to have its fair share of ghostly sightings.

46 The Fountain Inn, Mevagissey



This 15th century pub was among the first inns to be purchased by Walter Hicks, founder of St Austell Brewery, in 1883.

Steeped in tales of smuggling, today The Fountain Inn is a cracking place to grab a pint and enjoy some hearty food.

45 Tinners Arms, Zennor

The Tinners Arms at Zennor
The Tinners Arms at Zennor

The Tinners Arms has been at the heart of the Zennor community for more than 700 years.

Built in 1271 to accommodate the masons who constructed St Senara’s Church, little has changed over the years with the pub serving as a cosy historic time capsule.

44 Springer Spaniel, Launceston

This rustic pub dates back to the 18th century and is owned and run by Masterchef winner and Michelin Starred chef Anton Piotrowski.

The Springer Spaniel is a must-visit location for stunning food and great ales.

43 Wheel Inn, Tresillian

Wheel Inn, Tresillian
Wheel Inn, Tresillian

This delightful thatched inn dates back to the 14th century. The Wheel Inn is known not just for its fine selection of ales, but for its generous and tasty home cooked food too.

42 Thomas Daniell, Truro

The Thomas Daniell, Truro
The Thomas Daniell, Truro

Emanating all the qualities of a 'proper pub' from a listed building on Lemon Street, the Thomas Daniell is a great place for a pint and some hearty food in the city.

41&40 The Trevelyan Arms and the Crown Inn, Goldsithney

A stilt-walker from Swamp Circus passes The Trevelyan Arms during Goldsithney Charter Fair
A stilt-walker from Swamp Circus passes The Trevelyan Arms during Goldsithney Charter Fair

Goldsithney is home to two fantastic pubs, both of which offer scrumptious food and an extensive drinks selection.

The Crown Inn serves refreshing St Austell Brewery ales while the Trevelyan Arms hosts its own Rum club that boasts over 100 different varieties.

Each year the two pubs, which face each other on the main road through the village, battle it out in a best-out-of-three tug of war match at Goldsithney Charter Fair, with plenty of local pride at steak.

39 The Hole In The Wall, Bodmin

The Hole in the Wall is one of Cornwall’s quirkiest pubs. Located in Crockwell Street in the centre of Bodmin, it was originally a debtor's prison (1749-1779).

Families of the inmates would pass food through a hole in the wall which gives the pub its name. It also has a stuffed lion in a glassed cabinet by the front door.

38 The Trengilly Wartha Inn, Constantine

In a sheltered valley near the Helford River lies the Trengilly Wartha Inn. The pub has a popular menu and hosts live music on its sunny garden terrace.

37 The Pierhouse, Charlestown


The Pierhouse Hotel, Charlestown
The Pierhouse Hotel, Charlestown


This popular destination overlooks the historic harbour at Charlestown which is home to iconic 18th century tall ships.

The Georgian port was constructed by Charles Rashleigh between 1791 and 1801 and today provides the nautical backdrop to TV dramas and films, including Poldark.

36 Golden Lion, Port Isaac

The Golden Lion takes a prime location in the quaint fishing village of Port Isaac. The pub provides well-kept local cask ales and tasty seasonal food within a traditional pub atmosphere.

There’s an intimate, candlelit dining room upstairs, cosy snugs on the ground floor, and the Bloody Bones Bar to choose from.

35 The Barrel at Bude Alehouse

Owners Ian and Rachel O’Hare from Stratton have converted a former fancy dress shop into North Cornwall’s first ‘micropub’.

It only sources Cornish beer and manages to squeeze musicians in for regular live music too.

34 Red Lion, Newquay

The view from the Red Lion, Newquay
The view from the Red Lion, Newquay

The Red Lion boasts stunning harbour views and an infectious atmosphere that’s brought to life by live bands and crowds of locals and tourists.

When the sun sets there are fewer places better to sit beside the log fire with a pint of local ale, enjoy a coastal sunset, and tuck in to some top pub grub.

33 Star Inn, Crowlas

The wide range of original ales brewed and available to buy at the Star Inn, Crowlas
The wide range of original ales brewed and available to buy at the Star Inn, Crowlas

The home of Penzance Brewing Company, The Star Inn produces some of the best Cornish ales around.

Owner and brewer Peter Elvin has received multiple CAMRA awards and for good reason. If you love traditional beer, make sure you have a pint or two of titles such as Potion No.9, Crowlas Bitter, and Scilly Stout.

32 The Cornish Arms, St Merryn

Rick Stein’s pub on the North Coast offers a simple yet tasty British menu alongside St Austell Brewery ales and a fine selection of wines.

31 The Eliot Arms, Tregadillett

The Eliot Arms, Tregadillett
The Eliot Arms, Tregadillett

Just outside Launceston in the village of Tregadillett, the Eliot Arms is an attractive location to enjoy wholesome home cooked food and a pint of real ale.

30 The Sloop Inn, St Ives

This historic inn looks out across St Ives harbour, which is a pretty tough view to beat. It’s a prime hotspot for tourists in the summer months.

29 The Old Success Inn, Sennen

The Old Success Inn
The Old Success Inn


Recently under the new leadership of Penzance businesswoman Katie Jamieson, the Old Success boasts a perfect vantage point to gaze across the white sandy stretch of Sennen Cove beach.

28 Tolcarne Inn, Newlyn

Tolcarne Inn, Newlyn
Tolcarne Inn, Newlyn

Chef Ben Tunnicliffe has established a highly regarded dining destination for seafood lovers at the Tolcarne Inn.

Guests can expect a warm welcome to Newlyn Harbour with well-kept local ales, ciders, and regular live jazz sessions.

27 The Gurnards Head, Treen

Another brightly-coloured West Cornwall pub, the orange Gurnard’s Head is known for its spectacular views and menu to match.

Guests come here to return momentarily to a slower pace of life and unwind before Cornwall’s dramatic Atlantic coastline.

26 Lamp and Whistle, Penzance

The Lamp and Whistle is a compact backstreet pub that offers intriguing microbrewery beers and craft ales alongside Cornish classics.

The quirky interior features a carved wooden bar and a ceiling covered in framed paintings.

25 The Bay View Inn, Widemouth Bay

The Bay View Inn, Widemouth Bay
The Bay View Inn, Widemouth Bay

As the name suggests, the Bay View Inn welcomes inspiring bayside views. It’s well known for its food and offers a wide range of spirits, Cornish ales and ciders.

24 The Turks Head, Penzance

Steeped in history and intrigue, an underground tunnel leading to Penzance harbour was formerly used at the Turks Head by smugglers to transport their bounty.

The pub today offers a unique décor in which to relax and let your imagination wander, while tasting some of Cornwall’s finest local ales of course.

23 The Port Gaverne Hotel, Port Isaac

The Port Gaverne has won many recent awards including titles at the National Pub & Bar Awards 2017, and the Estrella Damm Top 50 Gastropub awards 2016.

22 St Kew Inn, St Kew

The St Kew Inn at St Kew is a hidden gem
The St Kew Inn at St Kew is a hidden gem


A traditional village pub, but so much more. It's been voted one of the Top 50 pubs in the UK and has won a Michelin Bib Gourmand for food. A cracking Sunday lunch too.

21 Blisland Inn, Bodmin

Former CAMRA national award-winner the Blisland Inn
Former CAMRA national award-winner the Blisland Inn


Former CAMRA National Pub of the Year winner, the Blisland Inn hosts a collection of cracking real ales and a suntrap beer garden perfect for drinking them in the summer.

20 The Shipwrights Arms, Helford

The Helford River is one of the most beautiful rural locations in Cornwall. It’s wonderfully secluded, yet still has a stellar pub in which to enjoy the surrounds.

19 Plume Of Feathers, Mitchell

The Plume of Feathers at Mitchell
The Plume of Feathers at Mitchell


This stylish country pub lies between Truro and Newquay in the village of Mitchell.

Get yourself a local ale and soak up the ambiance beneath the low oak beams, beside the fire, in the sunlit conservatory, or out in the palm-fringed gardens.

18 Blue Anchor, Helston

The Blue Anchor in Helston, famous for its Spingo
The Blue Anchor in Helston, famous for its Spingo


Home of legendary Spingo ale, the Blue Anchor boasts 600 years of brewing that continues to this day.

Originally a monk’s rest house, the quirky pub produces a variety of its own ales, hosts regular live music, and even has its own skittle alley.

17 The Front, Falmouth

With multiple CAMRA Pub of the Year awards under its belt, a trip to this quayside watering hole is a must.

There’s a vast collection of ales to be discovered here and the venue is a regular hive of activity with live music and dance nights.

16 Jamaica Inn, Bodmin

Built in 1750 as a coaching inn, weary travellers would stop here after crossing the wild and treacherous moor.

The place is said to be inundated with ghostly activity and is also of course the subject of Daphne du Maurier classic novel.

15 Ferryboat Inn, Helford Passage

Across the river from the Shipwrights Arms and just a ferry trip away, the Ferryboat Inn dates back 300 years and is surrounded by wooded banks and sloping fields.

14 Rashleigh Inn, Polkerris

The Rashleigh Inn at Polkerris
The Rashleigh Inn at Polkerris

Known as ‘the inn on the beach’, the Rashleigh Inn nestles on Polkerris shoreline between Par and Fowey.

This fantastic pub is surrounded by golden sands, coves, creeks, and uninterrupted ocean views.

13 St Tudy Inn, St Tudy

St Tudy Inn
St Tudy Inn

The St Tudy Inn champions the finest seasonal Cornish produce with its simple, rustic, and effective cuisine.

Relax with a drink in front of the fire, soak up the cost atmosphere, and enjoy food from Emily Scott's superb kitchen.

12 The Mariners, Rock



Nathan Outlaw’s pub overlooks the Camel Estuary in the heart of Rock.

The Mariners has over 40 beers to choose from, consisting of a range of titles from Sharp’s Brewery and others - not to mention some of the award-winning chef's scrumptious food.



11 The Ship Inn, Mousehole

The Ship Inn at Mousehole is in a fantastic spot overlooking the harbour
The Ship Inn at Mousehole is in a fantastic spot overlooking the harbour


This St Austell Brewery inn rests at the heart of Mousehole’s tales and traditions.

It’s boutique in size yet is packed full of character and provides the perfect location for a summer pint in the sun or a romantic winter retreat.

10 Falmouth Packet, Rosudgeon

Falmouth Packet, Rosudgeon
Falmouth Packet, Rosudgeon

As well as being a great pub for trying ales from the likes of Penzance Brewing Co., the Falmouth Packet is a foodie hotspot with an impressive collection of titles at the Taste of the West Awards.

More than just a place to enjoy fine local ales in good company, Matthew Rowe and his team serve up some of the finest food found anywhere in the county.

9 Star & Garter

The Star & Garter, Falmouth
The Star & Garter, Falmouth

Having recently reinvented itself from a typical locals’ pub to an award-winning outlet offering exploratory and delicious dishes, the Star & Garter on Falmouth’s High Street is home to some of the best pub food in the county.

This is not your every-day pub grub though. The menu boasts expertly crafted dishes including Cornish octopus braised in tomato, olives, and gremolata, and smoke roast featherblade with red gem, beetroot, and horseradish.

8 Old Ale House, Truro

The Old Ale House in Truro has been named the best in the county by CAMRA
The Old Ale House in Truro has been named the best in the county by CAMRA


CAMRA Kernow Pub of the Year for 2017, the Old Ale House hosts a range of fine ales and craft ciders from across Cornwall.

It’s a regular venue for live music and is famed for its distinctive atmosphere.

7 The Admiral Benbow, Penzance

The Admiral Benbow in Penzance is on the market
The Admiral Benbow in Penzance is on the market

The Admiral Benbow is one of the oldest pubs in Penzance and is famous the world over, not least for being the setting in the opening chapter of Robert Louis Stevenson's Treasure Island.

The unique décor embraces a captivating pirate ship theme that's bursting with intriguing nautical artifacts. It’s also said to have its fair share of ghostly residents and secret smugglers’ tunnels.

6 The Heron Inn, Malpas

A beautiful riverside pub, the Heron Inn overlooks the Truro and Tresillian river at the point where they join the Fal River.

With captivating views across the estuary, this pub is accessible both by car and by boat.

5 The Rising Sun, Truro

The Rising Sun in Truro
The Rising Sun in Truro


The Rising Sun captures the feel of a country pub while conveniently residing a stone’s throw away from the city’s plethora of shops and cafes.

It has won many recent awards including Gold at Taste of the West South West England, the Cornwall Tourism Awards, and the South West England Tourism Excellence Awards.

4 The Pandora Inn, Restronguet

The Pandora Inn at Restronguet
The Pandora Inn at Restronguet


Travel back in time at Cornwall’s flagship Creekside inn. The Pandora’s spectacular location is enjoyed both on the pontoon seating area and from within the pub itself, which features 13th century features including flagsone doors, low-beamed ceilings, and a beautiful thatched roof.

3 The Driftwood Spars, St Agnes

The Driftwood Spars at St Agnes even has its own brewery across the road
The Driftwood Spars at St Agnes even has its own brewery across the road


A brewpub and B&B by the sea at Trevaunance Cove, the Driftwood Spars is a true Cornish coastal pub with a wide selection of real ales and delicious, homemade food.

There’s regular live music accompanied by a buzzing atmosphere that attracts locals and tourists alike.

2 Beerwolf, Falmouth

Beerwolf in Falmouth
Beerwolf in Falmouth


Among the most unique pubs in Cornwall, Beerwolf doubles up as a great place to sample little-known ales and ciders and a book shop.

We named it the coolest place to hang out back in March and it’s more recently been hailed as Britain’s ‘coolest pub’ by The Times.

1 The Victoria Inn, Perranuthnoe

This striking 12th century pink pub is a stone’s throw from Perranuthnoe Beach and gets deservedly rave reviews for its award winning food and hospitality.

It’s a true hidden Cornish gem that, despite being regularly featured in many pub guides including the Michelin Pub Guide, is awaiting discovery by most.

We've taken reasonable steps to ensure the accuracy of the information here, however the pub trade is constantly changing, so if you spot anything that is out of date, please let us know.