Whether age-old institutions with a drinking heritage or spanking-new haunts mixing cutting-edge cocktails, for a pub to make it into our top picks the drinks have to be great (that’s a given), but there needs to be that inimitable atmosphere of coziness and charm that makes you feel like you’re part of the club. The food is also worth considering, with traditional offerings including scotch eggs, Cornish pasties and bangers and mash, plus sourdough bread, scones and sticky toffee pudding.