With summer heat fading and autumn approaching, searches for pub walks have surged by 129% over the past month. Beavertown ranked England's top-rated walking trails that end at a pub, and we've selected seven routes worth exploring. Note that some walks can take more than seven hours, so plan carefully before setting off.
Seaford to Eastbourne: Seven Sisters and Beachy Head
The top-rated route is Seaford to Eastbourne, crossing the Seven Sisters and Beachy Head in East Sussex. This 21.7km walk along iconic cliffs has a 4.8-star rating from over 2,316 reviews, but it's rated 'hard' and takes around six to six-and-a-half hours. Stay at least five metres from the edge, as an estimated 30-40cm of the coastal edge crumbles away each year.
The trail ends at Eastbourne's promenade and pier, where you can find pubs like The Beachy Head or The Crown and Anchor, both close to the beach. You can also visit the Victorian Pier or watch a show at the art-deco bandstand.
Grindsbrook Clough and Grindslow Knoll Circular
This Peak District classic has an average of 4.7 stars across 885 reviews. At 6.9km long, it takes around an hour and 10 minutes, but involves a steep 369m ascent. It starts and finishes in Edale, home to The Old Nag's Head, a 1577 country inn named one of the top 20 country pubs in the UK by The Times.
Afterwards, you could visit the heated open-air pool in Hathersage or explore the Chatsworth Estate, which has a country fair running from September 4 to 6.
Flamborough Coastal Circuit and Janet's Foss
In East Yorkshire, the 4.7-star Flamborough Coastal Circuit offers about five hours of ocean views. The 17.5km route passes Flamborough Head Lighthouse, built in 1806, and finishes back at Flamborough village, where you can drink at the Rose and Crown or The Ship Inn. Golfers can book a round at Flamborough Head Golf Club.
In the Yorkshire Dales, the Janet's Foss and Malham Tarn Circular via Gordale Scar route is 17.4km with a 4.8-star rating. It takes in Janet's Foss waterfall, Gordale Scar ravine, and Malham Cove's limestone pavement. After about five hours, relax at The Lister Arms or The Buck Inn. The village also has Annabelle Bradley Designs, a blacksmith making wrought ironwork.
Cotswold Way and North Downs Way
Gloucestershire's Chipping Campden to Broadway Circular is 16.6km, following a stretch of the 102-mile Cotswold Way, climbing to Broadway Tower before descending into Broadway. For a refined end, try The Lygon Arms or The Horse and Hound, and explore boutique shops on the High Street.
For those near London, the North Downs Way from Guildford to Dorking is a 24.5km route taking about seven hours, passing bluebell woods, Chantry Wood, St Martha's Hill, and Ranmore Common, including WWII Pill Boxes. It ends at Denbies Wine Estate, England's largest single-estate vineyard spanning 380 acres, with indoor wine tasting from £16.95 per person. The Watermill in Dorking also offers views.
Penny Rock and Fairfield Circular in the Lake District
The Lake District's top-ranked route, Penny Rock and Fairfield Circular, has a 4.8-star rating. This 15.9km Cumbria loop starts in Rydal, part of the Fairfield Horseshoe, taking in four summits. It could take six to seven-and-a-half hours due to steep inclines and scrambling. Ending in Rydal, there's one main pub, Glen Rothay, and you might spot a badger. The Old School Room tea shop serves homemade cakes.
