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Best Pubs in Cornwall

Best Pubs in Cornwall

From thatched smugglers' inns on Bodmin Moor to beach bars with live music on the sand, Cornwall has 19 pubs worth a detour. Here are the best.

Cornwall’s pub scene runs from 13th-century creek-side inns to surf shacks built on the sand. The best Cornish pubs share one thing: they lean into their setting. The Pandora Inn sits on a tidal creek near Falmouth with a floating pontoon for summer pints. The Watering Hole in Perranporth is the only bar in the UK built directly on a beach. Jamaica Inn on Bodmin Moor has been serving travellers since the 1750s and inspired Daphne du Maurier’s novel of the same name.

Most pubs on this list serve food - several seriously good food - but these are drinking pubs first. Expect local ales from Sharp’s, Skinner’s, and St Austell Brewery, with cider from Cornish Orchards and Healey’s on most bars. Many host live music, especially in summer, and a few (the Bowgie Inn, the Watering Hole) run their own festivals.

Dog-friendly is the default in Cornwall. Most pubs welcome dogs in the bar area, and a handful have dog menus. Check individual listings for details.

Belushi's
1

Belushi's

Burgers, Beats, and Beach Views

newquay

Belushi’s in Newquay is a lively cliff-top bar and restaurant overlooking Towan Beach, offering sweeping ocean views and a fun, beachy vibe.


Bowgie Inn
2

Bowgie Inn

The Pub with Crantock's Scenery, No Queues and Unbeatable Views

newquay

The Bowgie Inn is a much-loved cliff-top pub perched on West Pentire Headland near Crantock, just outside Newquay.




Jamaica Inn
5

Jamaica Inn

Cornwall's Most Famous Smuggling Inn

launceston

The Jamaica Inn, perched high on Bodmin Moor near Launceston, is a legendary 18th-century coaching inn with a history rooted in smuggling and mystery.


Merrymoor Inn
6

Merrymoor Inn

Sleep in History, Wake Up to Waves, Wind Down with Ales

newquay

The Merrymoor Inn is a welcoming, family-run bed and breakfast located right by the beach in Mawgan Porth, just north of Newquay in Cornwall.



Pandora Inn
8

Pandora Inn

A Timeless Pub on the Water’s Edge

falmouth

The Pandora Inn is a historic and iconic Cornish pub set on the tranquil banks of Restronguet Creek near Mylor Bridge, just outside Falmouth.




St. Kew Inn
11

St. Kew Inn

Traditional Village Pub in a Tranquil Setting

bodmin

The St Kew Inn is a beautifully preserved country pub tucked beside the 15th-century St James’s Church in the peaceful hamlet of St Kew, Cornwall.


Star and Garter
12

Star and Garter

Award-winning gastropub in a Georgian townhouse, Falmouth

falmouth

The Star and Garter is a Victorian gastropub at 52 High Street in Falmouth with harbour views and serviced apartments on the upper floors.



The Harbour Tavern
14

The Harbour Tavern

A Cozy Pub with Amazing Views of Mevagissey’s Historic Fishing Port

mevagissey

The Harbour Tavern, also known as The Harbour Fish & Grill by Aaron Janes, is a striking waterside restaurant and bar built directly into the cliffside above Newquay Harbour.





The Top House Inn
18

The Top House Inn

Legendary Pints, Lively Nights at Britain's Southernmost Inn

helston

Situated in the quaint village of The Lizard, Cornwall, the southernmost point of mainland Britain, is the ancient and hospitable Top House Inn.


The Watering Hole
19

The Watering Hole

Officially the UK's 'only bar on the beach

perranporth

The Watering Hole, perched directly on the golden sands of Perranporth Beach in Cornwall, is the UK’s only bar built right on the beach - making it a truly iconic and unforgettable coastal venue.