As winter takes hold and temperatures plummet, stepping outside necessitates bundling up in layers, and you might have even resorted to switching on the heating. What better way to ward off the chill than by nestling next to a blazing fire or snug wood-burner in a cosy pub?
Wales boasts an abundance of such inviting pubs, where a warm corner in the bar offers a delightful respite during the colder months. Stay updated with the latest happenings by subscribing to our newsletter.
We’ve handpicked some of the best spots for enjoying a pint as the wood crackles in the fireplace.
1. Old House 1147, Llangynwd
With the original part of the Old House – one of Wales’ oldest pubs in Llangynwd, near Maesteg – beautifully renovated to a cosy, cwtchy standard, it’s hard to choose between the old school, stone-walled cosy bar, or the modern, classic dining room with a cracking view. But, if it’s snuggling in front of a fire you’re after, with great food, cosy chairs, it’s definitely the former. Find out more.
2. The Felin Fach Griffin, Felin Fach
Nestled between The Black Mountains and The Brecon Beacons, the location could hardly be better. And once inside, you realise you’ve entered the perfect place to warm up after a brisk walk in some of Wales’ most beautiful countryside. Grab a pint at the bar and warm up by the fire. More details
3. Y Ffarmers, Llanfihangel-y-Creuddyn
This gastropub just a few minutes outside Aberystwyth is a perfect cosy place to tuck into some proper delicious, inventive pub grub and snuggle down in the cwtch seating area afterwards with the wood burner going. You can find out more here.
4. The Old Swan Inn, Llantwit Major
The bar and traditional pub dining room have a roaring fire and oak beams, and all within the 12th-century architecture of this local boozer. The oldest pub in the Vale of Glamorgan seaside town, hang out for the quiz, a singer or just have a quiet pint. Read more here.
5. Cwmdu Inn, Cwmdu
Cwmdu is a tiny village in Carmarthenshire and the rooms in this pub are tiny to match. The pub is at the centre of the village and is run by the community, with the beers coming from Llandeilo-brewed Evan Evans.
It’s also a Post Office and shop and has cool seasonal events like Halloween night, apple day and more. Their inglenook fire place is something else! It is worth getting there early and claiming your space. You can find out more details here.
6. The Harp, Old Radnor
At the top of a decent hill trek (if you walk) and with amazing views to look at before you go and cosy up by the fire, Powys pub The Harp has original features to die for. Ancient slate floors, wood beams and the huge, open log fire. Sup a cask-conditioned real ale or a local cider and put your feet up. Learn more here.
7. The Plough and Harrow, Murton
With its cosy country pub interior, The Plough and Harrow is a lovely Gower pub where as well as getting warm you can tuck in to some great food, too. They use top suppliers in Wales and west and pride themselves “on delivering great food every time”. They are also in the AA Guide and you can find out more here.
8. Gwaelod-y-Garth Inn, Cardiff
If you want to enjoy a drink with a view, and a cosy fire, head to this pub, which also happens to serve very lovely food as well. There is a restaurant upstairs, but sit amongst the regulars downstairs and you will enjoy a ‘real pub’ experience. You can book here.
9. The Clytha Arms, Abergavenny
Surrounded by acres of land, a castle (Raglan) and at the tip of the Beacons and the Wye Valley, the Clytha is a great country escape. It’s been in the CAMRA Good Beer Guide for the past 25 years and has a great menu. All to be sampled by the fire and you can find out more, here.
10. The Bear Hotel, Crickhowell
A resting and meeting place since 1432, The Bear is an historic and atmospheric coaching inn. The bar has oak beams, wooden floors and open fires and is set in the shadow of the Brecon Beacons. Read more, here.
11. The Plymouth Arms, St Fagans
This pub oozes rural charm and rustic character and the picturesque surroundings provide the perfect backdrop for savouring some hearty, seasonal pub food and real cask ales or fine wines. You won’t make much use of the ample beer garden in the winter but you won’t want to move from the warm surroundings of the pub, nestled in the heart of St Fagans, Cardiff, which you can book here.
12. The Plough and Harrow, Monknash
The Plough and Harrow seems to have hardly changed in the many hundreds of years that it has been standing. The Vale of Glamorgan pub dates back to 1383 and could be on the site of a former monastery. Low beams, open fires, wooden tables and a tiny bar make this pub as cosy as they come. You can find out more, here.
13. The Blue Anchor, Aberthaw
The Blue Anchor Inn, near Barry, was established in 1380, making it one of the oldest pubs in Wales. It has been in the same family since 1941, the Colemans, who acquired it from the Fonmon Estate. Hunker down with one of the Blue Anchor’s real ales or hearty pub grub and you won’t be sorry. You can read more, here.
14. Ancient Briton, Penycae
At the Ancient Briton in Penycae, Swansea, the traditional log fire adds to the already welcoming atmosphere and is always a popular focal point. It’s a well established and popular traditional local that welcomes hikers, bikers, walkers and cavers who can cosy up in front of the fire before heading to the restaurant for a bite to eat. Read more, here.
15. The Sloop Inn, Porthgain
The Sloop has it all, cosy fire, great location, good food and just an interesting and comfy place to spend a couple of hours chilling over a pint. It’s been in the village since 1743 and you can find out more, here.
16. The Hand at Llanarmon, Llanarmon
A very old hostelry near Llangollen with all the attributes you’d want – bags of character, a cosy, relaxing ambience and a warm welcome. It’s the perfect place to relax after a day of walking, horse riding or taking part in one of the many outdoor activities that are available around the area. You can book, here.
17. The Bush Inn, St Hilary
The current Vale of Glamorgan inn dates to the 16th century, sporting a thatched roof, thick stone walls, low oak beams, flagstone floors, old pews, a stone spiral staircase, and an inglenook fireplace. You can read more, here.
18. The Woodman, Blackpill
This historic Swansea seafront pub and restaurant is a great place from which to explore the cliffs and nearby seascapes. Then, when you’ve been out for a bracing long walk, you can warm up in front of their roaring fire. Find out more, here.
19. Old Inn, Penllergaer
A traditional, child-friendly pub also in Swansea that offers a range of real ales, bar snacks and grills, the open fire is another welcome addition. And when the weather isn’t so cold, there’s also outside seating and a garden. You can read more, here.
20. The New Tredegar Arms, Upper Cwmtwrch
A family-owned traditional pub with an open fire in the picturesque village of Upper Cwmtwrch at the foot of the Black Mountains. There’s home cooked food – including a carvery – as well as outside seating and a garden. Get more details, here.
21. Inn at the Sticks, Llansteffan
Just minutes away from the beach, the Inn is a cosy place to wind down, warm up and get a tidy pint or a dish from their award-winning menu. Grab a relaxing seat in the bar or a more formal one at the table in the restaurant – both have burners and you can find out more, here.
22. King’s Head, Llandudno
The King’s Head is the oldest pub in Llandudno and is home to a huge log fire in the main bar. Positioned at the base of the Great Orme and adjacent to the tram station, it’s the ideal pitstop after a day exploring and you can find out more, here.
23. Black Boy Inn, Caernarfon
Built in 1522, this charming inn offers four-poster bed accommodation in Caernarfon as well as roaring open log fires, oak beams and low ceilings. It also serves award-winning real ales from breweries like Magic Rock, Beavertown, Brooklyn, Cantillon, Darkstar and Tiny Rebel. You can get more details, here.
24. Ty Coch Inn, Porthdinllaen
The poster-boy of Welsh pubs, Ty Coch in Gwynedd has been voted one of the top beach bars in the world. Yet to call it a beach bar really does it a dis-service.
This is a good old-fashioned pub, with real ales and a simple, no-nonsense menu. After a bracing walk on the beach or cliff-tops around Morfa Nefyn, what better than to pop in for a hot or cold drink around the fireplace?
Make sure you check opening times first if Ty Coch is on your agenda and you can find out more, here.
25. Ship Inn, Red Wharf Bay
The Ship Inn has one of the best locations on the island of Anglesey and throws in great food and great drink for good measure. You need a bit of luck to find a table near the bar, which is where you’ll find the open fire and the best atmosphere.
Combine a visit with a walk along the coast to Benllech (which you can do all along the beach at low tide, but do check conditions and tide times first). Click here to find out more.
26. Y Gwydyr, Dolwyddelan
This gorgeous Conwy country pub in the scenic village of Dolwyddelan is dog friendly and the perfect place for a pint and some great food. You can read more, here.
27. Hare & Hounds, Aberthin
With a Bib Gourmand from the Michelin Guide, the title of Wales’ best pub of the year and more foodie guide mentions than you can shake a stick at, the Hare & Hounds, near Cowbridge, is also simply a lovely destination for a warming afternoon out of the Welsh weather and some great food and drink. You can read more, here.
28. White Lion, Llanelian
Just outside Colwyn Bay, this historic inn is one of the oldest country inns in North Wales. It’s said that parts of the building date back over 1200 years and part of the existing pub served as a shippon (a cattle shed) and a granary and the current building still retains its original Welsh slate floor and oak-beamed ceiling.
There’s also a 19th-century church pew used as a seat. Oh, and of course a big ol’ fireplace surrounded by horsebrasses. You can read more, here.
29. Groes Inn, Conwy
Originally a two-storey house from the 15th century, the Groes Inn is said to be the first licensed house in Wales. The interior still contains some sixteenth or seventeenth-century timbers and walls may be of sixteenth-century origin.
In another interesting fact, it’s also rumoured to be involved in the creation of the British pancake, as we know it today. All this and a roaring fire. Take us there now, please and you can book, here.
30. Cross Foxes, Brithdir, Gwynedd
Nestled at the foot of Cadair Idris Mountain and four miles from Dolgellau, this is a pretty special pub with rooms. It’s got lush food in gorgeous surroundings and the all-important log fire to warm up visitors. You can read more, here.
31. The Black Cock, Caerphilly
With a long history, the Black Cock Inn is a common stop for walkers, cyclists, and riders, as they cross over Caerphilly Mountain and need warming up by the fire. Find out more, here.
32. The Plough, Cardiff
With its extensive food and drink menu and a feature fireplace in the middle of the lounge area, this Whitchurch pub is a real gem. Get more details, here.
33. The Deri Inn, Cardiff
This is a large, spacious pub that welcomes children and dogs and you can all chill out in front of a roaring fire with meals from steak night to bottomless brunch, or try one of the guest ales from the bar. You can book, here.
34. The Red Lion, Penderyn
Log fires, real ales and – if legend is to believed – the seat in which Johnny Depp once sat while he was taking a break from filming The Libertine in Crickhowell. More hiraeth than Hollywood though, this country lane retreat always feels like home when you pop in for a warm. It’s also got a cracking menu that changes regularly and you can find out more, here.
35. The Cricketers, Cardiff
Set in a classic Victorian townhouse, with a well hit ‘six’ from the Sophia Gardens cricket ground, The Cricketers sells a great range of quality Welsh real ales and home-cooked winter warmers and some of the most to-die-for Sunday roasts in the capital. With its open fire, there is nowhere nicer to be when the weather is cold and you’ve just got to have a pint, find out more, here.
36. The Pelican Inn, Ogmore-by-Sea
Overlooking Ogmore Castle, the original inn was built in the 18th century by the Carne family. The great view and history of the Pelican can be enjoyed by then fire with a pint or a glass of Malbec. You can find out more, here.
37. The Skirrid Mountain Inn, Llanvihangel Crucorney
Staking a claim to be Wales’ oldest pub, this fantastic place is dripping with history and is mentioned in documents going as far back as 1100. It has links to Owain Glyndwr and was reputedly used as a courtroom where people were hanged. The oak beam is still there and you can read more, here.
38. The Star Inn, Talybont on Usk
A Camra award-winning village pub in the beautiful Brecon Beacons National Park – and it’s got a beautiful wood burner to keep you warm on cold, miserable days and evenings. You can read more, here.
39. The Farmer’s Arms, Church Village
A classic local, the Farmers Arms in Church Village, RCT, features a roaring fire and flagstone floor and you can find out more, here.
40. Duke of Wellington, Cowbridge
If you are looking for a family-friendly real ale pub with original features, contemporary decor and a modern European menu, that’s what you get in this pub. The ingredients are sourced from Wales and the menus are a fusion of contemporary dishes and classical flavours. They also serve the most amazing pies and you can book here.