7 English pub walks worth lacing up your boots for this Bank Holiday weekend

Charming villages, waterfalls and mountain peaks (Picture: Getty Images) As the blistering heat of summer starts to dissipate, there’s no better time to lace up your walking boots and hit the hills. And, there’s nothing more quintessentially British than a scenic stroll followed by a bev. In fact, searches for pub walks have surged by 129% over the past month. We’ve hunted down seven pub walks worth wandering this autumn, after Beavertown ranked England’s top-rated walking trails that end at a boozer. A cavea: these walks can be more than seven hours long, so plan carefully before setting off. We can smell that fresh country air already…. Seaford to Eastbourne Without a doubt, the top-rated walking route is Seaford to Eastborne, which crosses the Seven Sisters and Beachy Head in East Sussex. The 21.7km walk along these iconic cliffs has earned an exceptional 4.8-star rating from more than 2,316 reviews, but it’s rated ‘hard’ and takes around six to six-and-a-half hours from start to finish. The Beachy Head White Cliffs at sunset are a sight to behold (Picture: Getty Images) Be mindful to 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 cosy pubs like The Beachy Head or The Crown and Anchor. Both are close to the beach for a pint with a view. Ask Metro Use AI to go deeper into the stories you care about – powered by Metro and trusted publications. While the walk offers spectacular scenes of chalky white cliffs and open ocean, you can fill your time in Eastbourne by visiting the iconic Victorian Pier or watching a show at the art-deco bandstand. Grindsbrook Clough and Grindslow Knoll Circular A Peak District classic, the Grindsbrook Clough and Grindslow Knoll Circular route has received an average of 4.7 stars across 885 reviews. At 6.9km long, it’s going to take around an hour and 10 minutes to walk, but that doesn’t mean it’s more manageable. The route involves a steep 369m ascent. Grindsbrook Clough near Edale in the Peak District (Picture: Getty Images) It starts and finishes in the village of Edale, which is home to a low-ceiling, stone-built, 1577 country inn called The Old Nag’s Head, which has been named one of the top 20 country pubs in the UK by The Times. After, you could venture to the heated open-air pool in Hathersage or explore the house and gardens at the Chatsworth Estate. The grounds have a country fair running from September 4 to 6, offering three days of entertainment. Flamborough Coastal Circuit For those in East Yorkshire, the 4.7-star rated Flamborough Coastal Circuit offers around five hours of stunning ocean views. The 17.5km route passes Flamborough Head Lighthouse and a golf course before finishing back at Flamborough village itself, where you can settle in for a drink. Flamborough offers a similar vibe to The Seven Sisters (Picture: Getty Images/iStockphoto) Sink a pint at the Rose and Crown or try some real ale at The Ship Inn. While you can’t tour the lighthouse on the trail, it’s worth stopping to admire it, after it was built in 1806 to guide deep sea vessels and coastal traffic. If you’re a golfer, book yourself in for a round at Flamborough Head Golf Club. Fair play if you’ve got more steps in you. Janet’s Foss and Malham Tarn Circular via Gordale Scar Nestled in the Yorkshire Dales not far from Flamborough is the much-loved Janet’s Foss and Malham Tarn Circular via Gordale Scar route. The 17.4km trail boasts a 4.8-star average rating, starting in the village of Malham and takes in three natural landmarks: the waterfall at Janet’s Foss, the dramatic limestone ravine of Gordale Scar, and the world-famous limestone pavement at Malham Cove – a spectacular natural amphitheatre. The waterfalls of Gordale Scar are pretty cool (Picture: Getty Images/iStockphoto) There are steep inclines and slippery paths, but the views of waterfalls and rolling hills are worth it. After five hours on your feet, relax at The Lister Arms or The Buck Inn, both big country pubs, for a tipple. The village also has a blacksmith, Annabelle Bradley Designs, who makes beautiful wrought ironwork in the old smithy, and it’s well worth a visit. Chipping Campden to Broadway Circular via the Cotswold Way Gloucestershire’s Chipping Campden to Broadway Circular is a Cotswold classic but at 16.6km, you’ll be working hard. The loop follows a stretch of the 102-mile Cotswold Way, climbing to Broadway Tower, built on the site of an ancient beacon, before descending into the postcard village of Broadway itself, where walkers can refuel before the return leg. The Cotswold Way National Trail has some picturesque views (Picture: Getty Images) If you’re looking for a more refined end to your day, opt for a drink at The Lygon Arms, or wander to the end of the high street for a cosy pint at The Horse and Hound. Indulge in a spot of shopping, too. The High Street has lots of charming boutique gift shops and homeware stores, which make it the perfect place to treat yourself after a long day. North Downs Way: Guildford to Dorking For those looking for something closer to London, a safe bet is the North Downs Way, particularly the stretch from Guildford to Dorking. This 24.5km route is the longest on the list, and takes about seven hours to complete, through pretty bluebell woods, up steep climbs and, most importantly, ending at a lovely vineyard. The North Downs Way, near Guildford, is a great option for Londoners (Picture: Getty Images) You’ll pass Chantry Wood, St Martha’s Hill, and Ranmore Common, so be sure to spot the WWII Pill Boxes which were historically used as a protected firing position for soldiers. Enjoy a glass of vino at the Denbies Wine Estate, which happens to be England’s largest single-estate vineyard, spanning 380 acres. What’s more, its indoor wine tasting experience starts from £16.95 per person. For those who want a pub, The Watermill in Dorking has some truly amazing views for you to marvel at. Penny Rock and Fairfield Circular Last on our list, although certainly not least, is the Lake District’s top-ranked route with a 4.8-star rating. This 15.9km, Cumbria loop is not to be sniffed at, starting in Rydal and forming part of the classic Fairfield Horseshoe, taking in four summits for sweeping views across the central Lakes. Rydal offers gorgeous sweeping views and clear waters (Picture: Getty Images) While it’s shorter than others on the list, it could take around six to seven-and-a-half hours to complete, given there’s steep inclines and occasional scrambling. Check out the High Fall waterfall, summit Low Pike and enjoy the mountain views. Ending in the tiny village of Rydal, where it begins, there’s one main pub, Glen Rothay, where you can grab a pint, and you might even spot a badger or two. 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