‘Everything is fantastic’ – 3 Cornwall pubs named among top 100 in the UK

The Gurnard’s Head in the parish of Zennor, The Mariners in Rock and The Tinners Arms also in Zennor were featured in the list from the Daily Mail.

Discussing the creation of the list, they wrote: “The Great British pub, embedded in our culture for centuries and almost entirely unique to our corner of the world, comes in many guises, from village locals that are the beating heart of rural communities, to Michelin-starred city boozers.

“The ones you can’t forget? They’ll woo you in with a pretty beer garden in summer, and a crackling fire and comfy chair in winter, while serving up local beers and hearty fare.”

They consulted pub experts, big names in the UK’s food and drink industry and analysed reviews to find their top 100 pubs.

The full list of Britain’s top 100 pubs can be found on the Daily Mail website here.

What was said about the Cornwall pubs?

The Gurnard’s Head

The Daily Mail spoke to Saturday Kitchen’s wine expert Helen McGinn on The Gurnard’s Head who said it was her “favourite pub in the world”.

She added: “Everything is fantastic, from the location to the food, wine and people. Whenever I go, I never want to leave.”

Discussing the pub generally, the newspaper commented: “A smudge of bright yellow on the moorland horizon between St Ives and St Just on Cornwall’s Atlantic Coast is the first hint you’re close to The Gurnard’s Head.” 

“A dining pub with rooms, there’s a global menu too, with dishes including Sri Lankan lentil fritter and pork belly with salsa verde,” they added.

The pub is dog-friendly and in terms of what pint to drink, they recommended Lamanva bitter by Verdant Brewing Co.

The Tinners Arms

The Tinners Arms is a favourite of expert sommelier Carine Silva Pharr, who says the traditional Cornish inn offers “a brilliant crescendo to a coastal walk from St Ives”.

She added: “There’s nothing better than finishing a long hike, with one of the best Pimm’s Cup cocktails you’ll ever have, particularly during the summer.”

The pub is very dog-friendly and in terms of recommendations for a pint, Tinners Ale, by Sharp’s Brewery is highlighted.

The newspaper adds: “Crab, fresh off the boats in Newlyn, is a highlight on a menu that celebrates West Cornish produce.”

Customers are also fans of the pub, with it having earned a 4/5 score on Tripadvisor from 741 reviews.

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The Mariners

The Mariners in Rock is one of the establishments owned by chef Paul Ainsworth, which has earned the envy of many chefs for its food and drink offerings, particularly its oysters.

Renowned chef Richard Corrigan, who owns London’s Bentley’s Oyster Bar & Grill, says the best way to enjoy them is with a “perfectly poured pint of Sharp’s”.

He added: “And then sit on the upstairs terrace looking over the beautiful Camel Estuary. You don’t get much fresher than that – and the Dog’s Pollock hot dog is a work of wonders, too.”

The pub is dog-friendly on its ground floor and Offshore Pilsner, by Sharp’s is the recommendation given for the pint to have there.