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Kathryn Williams

40 cosy pubs in Wales with real fires to cwtch up in front of

The nights have drawn in and there's a chill in the air - yes, autumn is well and truly here. So what better way to banish the blues than beside a roaring fire or cosy wood-burner in a cosy pub?

There are many cosy pubs around the country with an inviting, warm corner in the bar and it's one of the bonuses of autumn and winter down the local.

We’ve picked out some of the top places to sup a pint while the wood crackles on the open fire...

Read more: The four Welsh pubs named among the UK's best places for a Sunday lunch

1. Old House 1147, Llangynwd

Old House 1147 (Old House 1147)

With the original part of the Old House - one of Wales' oldest pubs - 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.

Where: Llangynwd, CF34 9SB

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.

yffarmers.co.uk

4. The Old Swan Inn, Llantwit Major

(Natalia A McKenzie/Creative Commons)

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 seaside town, hang out for the quiz, a singer or just have a quiet pint.

More details

5. Cwmdu Inn, Cwmdu

Cwmdu Inn fireplace (Cwmdu Inn)

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! Worth getting there early and claiming your space.

More details

6. The Harp, Old Radnor

(The Harp)

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, 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.

www.harpinnradnor.co.uk

7. The Plough and Harrow, Murton

With its cosy country pub interior, The Plough and Harrow is a lovely 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.

More details

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.

More details

9. The Clytha Arms, Abergavenny

(The Clytha Arms)

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.

clytha-arms.com

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.

More details

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.


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 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.

More details

13. The Blue Anchor, Aberthaw

The Blue Anchor Inn 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.

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14. Ancient Briton, Penycae

At the Ancient Briton 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.

More details

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.

sloop.co.uk

16. The Hand at Llanarmon, Llanarmon

(Trinity Mirror)

A very old hostelry 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.

More details

17. The Bush Inn, St Hilary

The current 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.

More details

18. The Woodman, Blackpill

This historic 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.

More details

19. Old Inn, Penllergaer

A traditional, child-friendly pub 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.

More details

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.

More details

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 Llanelli Bay mussles or a cracking steak.

Grab a relaxing seat in the bar or a more formal one at the table in the restaurant - both have burners.

thesticksllansteffan.co.uk

22. The Groes Wen Inn, Penhow

The fire is the focal point of this cosy country inn on the A48 between Langstone and Caldicot. The Groes Wen Inn oozes rural charm and its menu, part of the Ego restaurant group, is Mediterranean inspired, but they still serve Sunday dinners, too.

More details

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.

More details

24. Ty Coch inn, Porthdinllaen

The poster-boy of Welsh pubs, Ty Coch 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.

More details

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).

More details

26. Vaynol Arms, Pentir

Just inland, between Caernarfon and Bangor, the Vaynol Arms is the focal point of a small hamlet that’s off the beaten track yet easy to reach from a lot of hillwalks on Snowdonia’s western slopes. The Vaynol Arms promises a good old-fashioned village pub experience, its public rooms oozing charm and character and featuring a great open fire for colder winter days and nights.

More details

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 is also simply a lovely destination for a warming afternoon out of the Welsh weather and some great food and drink.

hareandhoundsaberthin.com

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.

More details

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.

More details

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.

More details

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.

More details

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.

More details

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.

More details

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 dinner menu and has a pizza truck in the beer garden.

More details

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.

More details

36. The Pelican in her Piety, Ogmore-by-Sea

The Pelican in her Piety, Ogmore-by-Sea (The Pelican in her Piety)

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. Read our review of the Pelican after it reopened in the summer.

pelicanogmore.com


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.

More details

38. The Star Inn, Talybont on Usk

(Instagram/TheStarTalybont)

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.

www.thestarinntalybont.com

39. The Farmer's Arms, Church Village

A classic local, the Farmers Arms features a roaring fire and flagstone floor.

www.facebook.com/Farmers-arms

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 Brains 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.

More details

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