Fiona Stapley - The Good Pub Guide 2020

Besides the fully inspected pubs, you might like to try these pubs that have been recommended to us and described by readers. Do tell us what you think of them: feedback@goodguides.com

Channel Islands

GUERNSEY

FOREST

Deerhound (01481) 238585
Le Bourg; GY8 0AN Spacious roadside dining pub with modern interior; food can be good, Liberation ales, friendly service; free wi-fi; children welcome, sunny sheltered terrace with parasols, handy for the airport, open all day. (Alister and Margery Bacon)

KINGS MILLS

Fleur du Jardin (01481) 257996
Kings Mills Road; GY5 7JT Lovely 15th-c country hotel in pretty walled garden; low-beamed bar with log fire, Liberation and guests, local cider and plenty of wines by the glass, very good attractively presented food, afternoon teas, friendly helpful service, restaurant; background music; children and small dogs welcome, plenty of tables on back part-covered terrace, solar-heated swimming pool, 15 stylish, contemporary bedrooms, open all day. (Simon and Alex Knight)

ST MARTIN

Les Douvres (01481) 238731
La Fosse; GY4 6ER Sister hotel to the Fleur du Jardin at Kings Mills; popular beamed bar with country pub feel, three changing ales and plenty of wines by the glass, decent range of enjoyable fairly priced food including burgers and pizzas, friendly helpful staff; live music Fri; garden with swimming pool, 19 elegant bedrooms, good breakfast, open all day. (Charlie Walker)

ST PETER PORT

Ship & Crown (01481) 721368
Opposite Crown Pier, Esplanade; GY1 2NB Bustling old town pub with bay windows overlooking harbour; interesting photographs (especially of World War II occupation, also boats and local shipwrecks), decent bar food from sandwiches up, Liberation ales and guests, welcoming prompt service even when busy, more modern-feel Crows Nest brasserie upstairs with good views; sports TVs in bar; open all day from 10am (midday Sun) till late. (Tony Scott)

VALE

Houmet (01481) 242214
Grande Havre; GY6 8JR Modern building overlooking Grande Havre Bay; front restaurant-bar with conservatory, good choice of reasonably priced food (best to book) including fresh fish/seafood, friendly service, a couple of real ales and several wines by the glass, back public bar with pool, darts and big-screen sports TV (dogs allowed here); children welcome, tables out on sheltered deck, open all day (not Sun evening). (Simon Sharpe)

JERSEY

ST AUBIN

Boat House (01534) 747141
North Quay; JE3 8BS Modern steel and timber-clad quayside building with great views (window tables for diners); bar serving well kept local ales and several wines by the glass, good food ranging from small plates to Josper grills, efficient young staff, airy upstairs restaurant (separate menu) open lunchtimes Fri-Sun and evenings apart from Sun and Mon; balcony and decked terrace overlooking harbour, open all day. (John Beeken)

ST AUBIN

Old Court House Inn (01534) 746433 Harbour Boulevard; JE3 8AB Attractively updated and prettily positioned harbourside inn; bustling bar with low beams and open fire, other rambling areas including bistro, popular generously served food from sandwiches and pubby choices to good fresh fish/seafood, well kept Liberation ales and 15 wines by the glass, handsome upstairs restaurant with lovely views across the bay to St Helier, efficient service; children welcome, front deck overlooking harbour, more seats in courtyard behind, ten comfortable well equipped bedrooms, open all day (food all day in summer including breakfasts 7-10am). (Jeff Davies, Sandra King)

ST AUBIN

Tenby (01534) 741224
Le Boulevard, towards St Helier; JE3 8AB Randalls pub overlooking the harbour; large bar and several other rooms, decent choice of food (all day Sun) from sandwiches and wraps to good seafood, a couple of real ales such as Skinners and half a dozen gins, helpful service; children welcome, disabled access/loos, seats out on small front deck under awning, more on paved side terrace, open all day. (Edward and William Johnston)

ST BRELADE

Old Smugglers (01534) 741510
Ouaisne Bay; OS map reference 595476; JE3 8AW Unpretentious pub just above Ouaisne beach; up to four well kept ales, proper cider and enjoyable traditional food (including vegan choices), friendly service, black beams, built-in settles and log fires, restaurant; occasional live music, sports TV, darts, cribbage and dominoes; children and dogs welcome, sun porch with coast views, open all day in summer (food served all day weekends). (John Beeken)

ST HELIER

Cock & Bottle (01534) 722184
Royal Square; JE2 4WA Big lively outside eating area in Royal Square with lovely hanging baskets, rattan tables and chairs under parasols, heaters and blankets for cooler evenings; pleasantly old-fashioned and pubby inside with upholstered settles and small stools in front of large fireplace, wide choice of good food from sandwiches and wraps through pub favourites and bistro choices to summer seafood menu, well kept Liberation ales; open all day, no evening food Fri-Sun. (Roger and Donna Huggins)

ST HELIER

Halkett (01534) 732769
Halkett Place; JE2 4WG Spacious modernised pub-cum-bar close to tree-lined square; two Liberation ales, a guest beer and 17 wines by the glass, fairly priced food from sandwiches/wraps and pubby choices up; DJs Fri and Sat, TVs; sliding door opening on to pavement, open all day, no food Sun evening. (Roger and Donna Huggins)

ST HELIER

Lamplighter (01534) 723119
Mulcaster Street; JE2 3NJ Small friendly pub with eight well kept ales, good range of ciders and nearly 200 malt whiskies from long pewter-topped counter, traditional dcor with tankards and pump clips on heavy timbers, some old gas light fittings, just snacky food such as pork pies; darts and sports TV; dogs welcome, wheelchair access (no disabled loos), interesting patriotic faade (the only union flag visible during Nazi occupation), open all day. (Roger and Donna Huggins)

Isle of Man

DOUGLAS SC3875

Rovers Return (01624) 676459
Church Street; IM1 3LX Old-fashioned pub tucked down alleyway and popular with good mix of customers; mainly Bushys ales but some mainland guests, generous straightforward lunchtime food (not weekends), friendly staff, several rambling bars, back room filled with Blackburn Rovers memorabilia (landlord is a supporter); rock juke box, TV, pool and darts; no children, tables outside, open all day. (Chris Stevenson)

LAXEY SC4382

Shore (01624) 861509
Old Laxey Hill; IM4 7DA Friendly nautical-themed village pub brewing its own Old Laxey Bosun Bitter, good value wines by the glass and enjoyable pubby food including Tues curry and Thurs steak nights; children welcome, picnic-sets out by lovely stream, nice walk to Laxey waterwheel, two bedrooms, good breakfast, open all day. (Janet and Tim Dixon)

PEEL SC2484

Creek (01624) 842216
Station Place/North Quay; IM5 1AT In lovely setting on the ancient quayside opposite the House of Manannan heritage centre, very busy at peak times; wide choice of highly thought-of food including fish, crab and lobster fresh from the boats, good local kippers too, up to ten well kept changing ales (always some from Okells), nautical-themed lounge bar with etched mirrors and mainly old woodwork; TVs and weekend live music in public bar; children welcome, tables outside overlooking harbour, open (and food) all day from 10am. (Dave Samuels)