Britain’s best 20 pubs for retro pints revealed – is one near you?

SUMMER is approaching, and it’s the perfect time to visit some of the UK’s best pubs.

Whether you fancy a riverside retreat, a lively beer garden, or a quirky spot with history, the Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA) has picked 20 pubs that offer something special.

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This list comes from CAMRA’s Good Beer Guide, and its chairman Ash Corbett-Collins is urging everyone to try a retro pint this summer – mild.

Yes, mild… This underrated beer is making a comeback.

It’s lower in alcohol, packed with flavour, and perfect for sunny days without leaving you feeling too full.

Ash said: “Celebrating CAMRA’s Mild Month this May is a great way to try something a bit different and to support brilliant independent breweries across the country at the same time.

“Mild beers are a great option at the bar during the warmer weather thanks to their sweeter flavour profile.

“Cask conditioned mild beer is enjoying a resurgence in popularity as people recognise the great taste and quality of cask beer freshly made by artisan brewers, as well as exploring traditional British beer styles.”

From Norfolk to Leicestershire, and as far as Northern Ireland and Wales, the pubs on CAMRA’s list are perfect for enjoying a pint of mild.

So, why not raise a glass to Mild this summer?

Whether you’re a seasoned connoisseur or a curious first-timer, these pubs offer the perfect setting to enjoy this traditional British brew.

New Plough Inn – Hinckley, Leicestershire

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With outside seating at the front and a sheltered beer garden and heated, covered smokers’ area to the rear of the pub, this pub is a great place to visit all year round but particularly in the summer.

Open noon to midnight every weekend, they have won the
Hinckley and Bosworth CAMRA Pub of the Year 2011, 2012, 2022 and 2023.

Marston’s Cask Ale Pub of the Year 2014 (South Region).

Darts, dominoes, crib and skittles are played in the games room, and you can enjoy a fresh pint of Shipstone’s Mild while you play.

The Cricketers Arms – Saint Helens

The Cricketers, home to St Helens‘ last remaining brewery, Howzat, has brewed a new beer to mark Mild Month.

Launched on May 10, Gully Mild (3.5%) is a traditional dark brew served alongside a variety of other milds at the bar.

The pub serves Real Ale and Cider and is dog friendly, with a brilliant beer garden – a great pub for these hot months.

The Smithfield – Derby

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A handsome riverside pub with a central bar serving the main bar and separate quiet back bar. 

They serve Sarah Hughes – Dark Ruby Mild and were Derby CAMRA Pub of the Year 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022 and 2024, as well as East Midlands Pub of the Year 2019.

On a fine day the large outside terrace overlooking the river is very nice and we would highly recommend. 

Pharmacie Arms – Syston

This pub features Shipstone’s Mild on the bar and is also offering guest Milds throughout May as part of CAMRA’s Mild Month.

There’s a lovely outdoor area with tables where you can sit and enjoy your drink.

With its 1950s pharmacy theme, including medical artefacts, adverts, and even a skeleton in a dentist’s chair, it’s a quirky spot with live music every Saturday night.

Southampton Arms – Kentish Town, London

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This small independent pub in Kentish Town has a total of fourteen handpumps serving almost equal amounts of ciders and beers from microbreweries across the UK.

It has a lot of great traditional elements for example they play music on vinyl and the piano is in frequent use.

It was the Local CAMRA Pub and Cider Pub of the Year 2024 and is currently featuring a Kent – Born to be Mild drink for punters to enjoy.

Blackfriars Tavern – Great Yarmouth

This independent pub was named Local CAMRA Pub of the Year and Regional Cider Pub of the Year 2024.

It offers over 20 locally sourced real ciders, Mr Winter’s Caramel Mild, and more than 100 bottled Belgian beers.

Family, dog, and cyclist-friendly, it’s the perfect spot to visit with loved ones this summer.

Grapevine – Exmouth

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This great pub in Exmouth, have their beer supplied almost entirely by their own brewery on site.

They always have at least three cask Ales on selection at any time and currently they are serving Crossed Anchors – Workmans Mild on draught.

There is live music every Saturday and their rear garden patio is perfect to sit outside in during these next few months to sample their fantastic beer.  

Victoria – Walsall

This two-roomed pub dating from 1845 is very close to the town centre and for the hot months ahead has a pleasant garden and smoking facilities at the rear.

Open mic and quiz nights are held there regularly, and they have a pool table upstairs that’ll keep you in there for hours.

The pub currently has Church End – Gravediggers Mild on tap and is a great venue to visit when in the area. 

Duke of Wellington – Norwich

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Friendly pub with a changing range of guest ales that are served alongside the permanent beers (mainly from Wolf brewery).

Wolf in Sheep’s Clothing is their latest offering of mild on draught.

The attractive enclosed rear garden/patio area hosts a beer festival in late August, and regular barbecues at weekends in summer, making it an ideal spot for the coming months ahead. 

Dirty Duck Ale House – Holywood

Perched near Belfast Lough, the Dirty Duck Ale House is a cosy haven.

It boats three real ales, largely drawn from national and local brands and also has a great beer garden that is fantastic once the sun comes out.

They also have a nook celebrating local golfing hero Rory McIlroy and are a two-time former local CAMRA Pub of the Year. 

George Inn – Portsmouth

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Another pub with an interesting story, the George Inn was formerly a tram stop on the Portsdown and Horndean Light Railway.

The pub offers extensive views over the city from their patio garden overlooking Hayling Island and the Isle of Wight.

Serving cask ale and milds this summer, CAMRA would highly recommend.  

Chapter Arts Centre – Cardiff

This former school turned arts venue is the perfect spot in Cardiff to find a great selection of cask beer.

The guest beers are sourced from across the UK, and usually include small independents, supplemented by a local ale.

They currently sell Brains – Dark Mild and it is a family friendly pub which features a community garden for you to sit in to enjoy this tasty beverage.  

White Lion – Hampton in Arden

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Offering a real high quality and quantity of cask beers, the White Lion in Warwickshire is a traditional country pub that is well worth its great reputation.

Currently serving a Timothy Taylor – Golden Best Mild, the pub looks to rotate two of its regular beers every five to six months.

There is a pub garden out the back and is a great pub at this time of year.  

Half Moon – Hitchin

Friendly and welcoming one-bar pub dating from the 18th century.

Nine ever-changing guest ales ensure that a variety of beer styles is available always.

A former local CAMRA Pub of the Year and current Cider Pub of the Year, it is an excellent spot for a drink in the sun. 

New Inn – Colchester

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A rare example of a two-bar pub.

With a quiet, comfortable saloon bar and an open public bar featuring music, TV sports, and friendly conversation, this is a venue of two halves.

The garden comes to life in the summer and with a great selection of cask beer available, we highly recommend this place.  

Antwerp Arms – Tottenham, London

This CAMRA favourite community-owned pub is a must-visit, especially in the summer.

The Georgian building, complete with a beer garden, is Tottenham’s oldest working pub and has been serving the neighbourhood since 1822.

It was saved from demolition in 2013 thanks to the efforts of the local community and CAMRA campaigners.

Ostrich – Prestwich

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Built over 300 years ago, this historic venue is a great Community pub with a friendly, relaxed atmosphere.

The beer garden is an ideal place for families with children.

Serving a Joseph Holt – Mild beer currently that will no doubt be a favourite amongst locals.

Puckersley Inn – Royton

The Purkersley Inn in Royton is another fantastic spot in Greater Manchester.

It currently serves JW Lees Mild, a popular choice among visitors.

This detached pub also offers stunning panoramic views over Royton, Shaw, and Oldham from its dining room and spacious beer garden.

Drummer’s Arms – Blackburn

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This pub regularly serves Three B’s – Stoker’s Slake Mild and is full of historic charm, with walls covered in breweriana and old pub signs.

The bar offers a wide range of beer styles, from stouts to hoppy bitters, ensuring there’s something for everyone.

At the front, there’s a cosy terrace with upcycled drum tables, perfect for enjoying a drink outdoors.

Woolly Sheep – Skipton

The highlight of this pub in summer is its traditional cobbled courtyard.

It features decking with comfortable seating and a canopy, creating the perfect spot to relax.

Here, you can enjoy a pint of Timothy Taylor Dark Mild at the bottom of Skipton High Street.