Great Pubs of England: Thirty-three of Britain's Best Hostelries from the Home Counties to the North: Thirty-three of England's Best Hostelries from the Home Counties to the North

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The Riverside is surrounded by gorgeous countryside, with 12 local circular walks, from three to 15 miles in length, on which guests can spot kingfishers, red kites and even otters. The authors said: "From historic hostelries to art hubs, via ultimate locals and gastro temples we explore the infinite variety of England's pubs, and celebrate their idiosyncratic glory in words and pictures. This Tudor coaching inn, in the heart of the English shires, is a low-ceilinged period property with heavy wooden furniture, creaking floorboards and a cobbled courtyard. Revealed: How to move from the UK to Australia - and how you could DOUBLE your salary when you get there.

If, however, you’re in the market for a glorious five-course tasting menu comprised of small, seasonal dishes which showcase the local Kentish produce then The Sportsman is exactly the pub you want to be visiting.

They only serve beer by the half-pint here – a recherché decision that might baffle some but, like the Spanish caña, it means your lager won’t ever hit that nasty lukewarm stage. Highlights from Great Pubs of England include The Palm Tree in Bow, London – an example of a pub that has remained true to its roots while its surroundings have been modernized – and Michelin star chef Tom Kerridge’s, The Butchers Tap and Grill in Marlow. THE BLACKFRIAR, BLACKFRIARS, LONDON: The decor of this ‘spectacular and giddily eccentric’ Grade II-listed pub is inspired by the history of the site on which it sits - a 13th-century Dominican priory once stood here.

This cosy 16th-century inn has a wealth of character and a rural location, made particularly cosy by oak beams and inglenook fireplaces. Most charm effuses from the 'Four Poster' rooms: Hardy features an antique carved oak bed, believed to be 350 years old, and Tess has a square bay window hanging over the pavement. Voted one of The Good Food Guide's top 10 pubs for the past two decades (Jamie Oliver has also declared himself a fan), The Blue Lion's food and drink offering is impressive. Friedrichs (photography), Stuart Husband (text), Prestel (publisher) and Melville (editorial design) have repeatedly proven to be a successful dream team in creating meaningful coffee table books dedicated to certain fan cultures.

In a neighbouring converted barn there are 11 rooms, lovingly curated by owners Simon and Caitlin Heaton. Whitby-born chef-owner Andrew Pern was one of the first champions of local sourcing and now has a huge kitchen garden at the back of this pub.

Perched on a hilltop overlooking the ​​Radnor Valley, The Harp Inn might be one of the most idyllic pubs in the whole of the UK.

Inside is like being transported into a rustic-chic corner of Provence, with red-and-black tiled floors, a handsome wood-burner and retro café tables, topped with pots of herbs and candles in wax-covered bottles. As with most pubs, this is now principally a restaurant – with a small, wholesome menu offering big flavours.

The inn dates back to 1560 and behind its pistachio-green façade is a cosy village pub with rustic oak beams, crooked ceilings and vast brick fireplaces. The menu changes daily, at least a little, and is somewhat dependent on the chef's preferences, so as well as high-quality country cooking using mainly seasonal local ingredients you get the odd French-Caribbean twist. And there's a framed letter in the bar from Hollywood actor Paul Newman in which he describes it as 'the epitome of the traditional English pub – a perfect venue for good company, great conversation, and terrific beer'. The pub dates back to the 13th century and retains period features such as thick timber beams, large open fires and vaulted ceilings. Everything about it – from the Formica-topped tables to the horseshoe-shaped bar – has remained unchanged since the 1960s.

The interior is warm and inviting and it’s impossible not to be charmed by all that this stone-walled public house has to offer. Its rise from backwater boozer to leading restaurant led to its late owner, Dennis Watkins, being dubbed the 'Godfather of the Gastropub'. Some keep it simple, focusing on the little extras that go a long way: packed lunches for a day of walking, a bed and biscuits for your pet dog. The inside is fairly traditional (the pub used to be a Victorian terraced house) while the buzzy outside is where you’ll want to be whenever any large sporting event kicks off.