Cromwell's Tap House

Cromwell's Tap House in Shrewsbury is a historic town-centre pub with a warm, sociable feel and enough range to cover drinks, food and even an overnight stay. Dogs are welcome inside the bar and on the back terrace, which makes it a very useful all-rounder when different people in the group want slightly different things. The appeal of an older building paired with a more contemporary offering means it works whether you want craft beer, cocktails, a proper meal or just somewhere comfortable to settle in for a while.

The flexibility here is the real draw—casual drinks, full lunch or dinner, or a longer stay in town all feel equally at home. Food is served Monday to Thursday 12pm-3pm and 5pm-9pm, Friday and Saturday 12pm-9pm, and Sunday 12pm-5pm, with a seasonal menu covering hearty meat, fish, vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free dishes. There's a secluded ivy-clad garden terrace, six ensuite bedrooms, and a range of craft beers, wines and cocktails that suggests it can handle a quick pint just as well as a more settled evening.

Strong all-rounder energy with a bit of extra character in the walls, and nobody needs to do the pavement-waiting shuffle while the rest of the group enjoys the tap-house atmosphere.