Beer gardens come in a variety of shapes and sizes. Some are tiny courtyards hidden behind city-centre boozers, while others overlook tranquil canals.
Yet there’s one which is just over the border in Lancashire with incredible views which are hard to beat. The Parkers Arms in Newton-in-Bowland was named the country’s number one gastropub earlier this year - but the food isn’t the only reason you should visit this pub.
The pub’s beer garden rewards its patrons with stunning views across the surrounding countryside, LancsLive reports. Take a seat on one of the picnic benches and you can watch sheep grazing the patchwork fields with Waddington Fell in the distance.
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Watch cars as they weave their way along Hallgate Hill, passing over the River Hodder via the stone Newton Bridge. It’s a tranquil location and a peaceful place where you can take some time out from the hustle and bustle of daily life.
It’s a bit of an adventure to reach the pub too. Expect your ears to pop and your Google Maps to drop out sporadically as you dip in and out of phone signal, looping through the roller-coaster Ribble Valley lanes as you head into the cusp of the Forest of Bowland. Its township covers 6,000 acres of the Area of Natural Beauty.
The pub is the perfect spot to enjoy a seasonal meal, with chef Stosi Madi cooking with ingredients foraged in the forest. Afterwards head out on a country walk via one of the network of public paths which branch out through the area.
At the centre is the village of Newton. The village's geographic location is somewhat envy-inducing, and while it may only take a couple of minutes to walk through the 'main street', what you'll discover, making sure to take in a full 360 view, will stay with you for much longer.
For a tiny place, there's also a fair amount of history and heritage to it. Among the village’s buildings are the 1696-founded Newton Chapel, the Quaker Burial Ground and the 19th century Dunnow Hall.
Whether you choose to go for a hike in the nearby hills, or simply spend a couple of hours relaxing at the pub, you’re guaranteed to leave Newton-in-Bowland with a smile on your face.
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