SEVEN PUBS IN AND AROUND CROYDON IN WHICH YOU CAN COSY UP TO A REAL FIRE

When the English weather is at its most dismal, there are few things better than enjoying the heat generated by an open fire. Feeling nice and toasty, while flames flicker and wood crackles, is the perfect antidote to the cold and wet outdoors.

There’s something magical about enjoying the company of friends and family within the shelter of a splendid tavern. Good food and a fine selection of drinks don’t hurt, either.

We would like to recommend seven local public houses that each feature a real fire, some of which are dog-friendly too.

There are three Croydon-based pubs to choose from: The Royal Standard (1 Sheldon Street, CR0 1SS), The Oval Tavern (131 Oval Road, CR0 6BR) and The Builders Arms (Leslie Park Road, CR0 6TP). Here, you can enjoy great pub food, a tipple or two and the warm embrace of a roaring fire. The latter two establishments welcome dogs too.

A little further afield, but certainly easily accessible from Croydon, are four great pubs. The first three are: The Fox (Coulsdon Common, Caterham, CR3 5QS), The Harrow, (309 Farleigh Road, Warlingham, CR6 9EL) and The White Bear (Fairchildes Lane, Warlingham, CR6 9PH). The fourth is the dog-friendly Botley Hill Farmhouse (Limpsfield Road, Warlingham, CR6 9QH), where you and your canine friend will feel right at home.