The Weary Friar, Pillaton
One of my favourite pubs in Cornwall is the quiet Weary Friar, a short drive from Saltash, near the famous St Mellion Golf Club. This 12th century inn was originally built to accommodate the masons and carpenters who were appointed to build the St Odulphus Church next door. This was their boarding house and once the church was completed it became the local inn.
It is full of character with huge stone fireplaces, low beamed ceilings and plenty of copper and brass knick-knacks. Its restaurant is well-known in the area for its high quality cuisine, and you can eat informally in the bar or in the lovely beer garden.
The Old Ferry Inn, Bodinnick-by-Fowey
Further down the south coast at the Bodinnick Ferry crossing over the Fowey Rover, the Old Ferry Inn continues to offer a warm welcome within its quaint and charmingly decorated walls. This dog friendly pub is known for its generous portions and great burgers, so do arrive hungry.
There has been a pub on this site for over 400 years, although the historic ferry crossing dates back even longer, to the 13th century. The bar resembles a local museum with its walls covered in historic pictures of the area and nautical paraphernalia and memorabilia covering every flat surface. On a pleasant evening, sit out on the south-facing terrace overlooking the comings and goings of the boats on the river and you will feel there is nowhere in the world you would rather be at that moment in time.
Tree Inn, Stratton
The whitewashed Tree Inn dates back to the 13th century and is best known for its connections with the Battle of Stratton in 1643 during the English Civil War. The inn was the home of Anthony Payne, the Cornish Giant who was 7 feet four inches tall and weighed 38 stone. When he died they had to saw through the floor joists and lower his coffin from the first floor room as it would not fit down the stairs.
This cosy pub is still the hub of the community, with the village post office taking up one room. It has an excellent menu and the bar usually has a lively game of darts or pool to keep you entertained.
Wherever you choose to stay in a cottage in Cornwall, make sure you visit the local pub and get a taste of village life and Cornish history.
Born in Cheshire, Gillian Birch moved to Cornwall at her earliest opportunity and never looked back. After 20 years, her ongoing discovery of popular attractions, quiet footpaths and local eateries has made her a fount of knowledge as she entertains readers with her informative articles on the hidden gems of Devon & Cornwall from a local point-of-view.