Wooden benches overlook the sandy beach of Porthcurnick, backed by grassy cliffs, where children splash in rock pools at low tide. The casual lunch menu is offered daily, served from midday and eaten alfresco. The chickpea and coconut dal is delicious, (£9) and the Thai fish curry (£13) is made with local shellfish. On pop-up “feast nights”, a single dish, such as Cornish lobster or sticky ribs, is cooked outdoors and served in restaurants on the sand. hiddenhut.co.ukEllie Ross
The Dun Cow, Salthouse, Norfolk
You can enjoy the beautiful Norfolk skies from Dun Cow The north Norfolk coastal village of Salthouse has long been popular with birders. But anyone will enjoy this spot – between a salt marsh and a ridge formed during the last ice age – from the beer garden at Dun Cow. Overlooking strips of marshland, a shingle beach and the North Sea (bringing to mind colorful paintings by Mark Rothko), the pub makes the most of local ingredients. try seafood such as oysters (three for £10) and Cromer crab to salmon from the smokehouse in the neighboring village of Cley (both £10) and corned beef (steak £27). Don’t even think about leaving without ordering the halloumi fries and wash the lot down with a pint of Woodforde’s Wherry.salthouseduncow.comMina Holland
George III, Snowdonia
Penmaenpool Toll Bridge Photo: Philip Smith/Alamy Just west of Dolgellau, the George III at Penmaenpool is next to a toll bridge at the top of the Mawddach estuary. Gerard Manley Hopkins was so moved by this hotel and (former) railway station that he wrote a poem in the visitors’ book urging others to ‘spend here the measure of your time and treasure’. Now owned by Robinsons Brewery, the menu offers standard pub fare (cod £15, steak pie £14.50) but the views from the large first floor windows and waterside bar are as poetic as ever. with mossy mountains reflected in a seemingly infinite tide of velvety water. georgethethird.pubRhiannon Batten
Hare & Hounds, Bath
The pub overlooks the Charlcombe Valley Bath is resplendent with Cotswoldy beauty, but few places offer dining with stunning views. The exception is Hare & Hounds. Only a mile and a half from the centre, this old pub might as well be in the countryside. the stunning lookout is over the sylvan valley of Charlcombe to Solsbury Hill (of Peter Gabriel fame). A large garden makes the most of the location. a conservatory and huge windows bring the outside in, too. Elegant pub food such as fried cod with seafood soup (£24.50) is accompanied by classic pub roasts (rated Sunday roast for £16), plus fresh pizzas from the garden bar.hareandhoundsbath.comSarah Baxter
The Sound, Isle of Man
The Sound is a good place to spot wildlife. Photo: Matt Mosur Photography It’s a windy drive to the southern tip of the Isle of Man, but it’s worth the drive for a sandwich (£7.95) or a cake and a mug at the Sound Café, overlooking the strait that separates the island from uninhabited Musko. The latter is a haven for seabirds, with 33 breeding species and many more stopping over on their migrations, while the water between the two is home to seals, dolphins and sharks. It’s worth staying there on clear nights too: the cafe’s parking lot is a place to discover the dark sky. thesound.imFelicity Cloake
Lusty Beg, Co Fermanagh
Lusty… an island outside of an island. Photo: Design Pics/Alamy An island out of an island in the northernmost part of County Fermanagh’s tranquil Lough Erne, Lusty is only accessible by boat or a tiny ferry from Boa Island – and its remote location is central to its food offering. The dark, green fields of Fermanagh feed his calves and less than an hour west is the Donegal town of Killybegs, Ireland’s largest fishing port. All meats and fish are fresh and imaginatively presented with lusty twists on familiar dishes. The seafood soura with Guinness wheat bread is a favourite, and as the head chef is from Punjab, the curries are superb. Choose a table on the terrace overlooking the beautiful bay. The ethos of the restaurant is that real food is not fast food, and this is a sentiment that applies to Fermanagh in general. They’re in no rush down there. And if you’re staying too long, Lusty has a range of accommodation options – which means you’ll also get to try breakfast. Result.lustybegisland.comGraham Little
Monsal Head Hotel, Derbyshire
Tombstone viaduct. Photo: Steve Taylor ARPS/Alamy Returning from a day’s fishing on the River Wye in Monsal Dale, I am rewarded with one of the finest views in the Peak District, if not all of England. I buy a cone from Frederick’s ice cream van in the car park for the view, and take the silver Wye to the bottom of the valley. To the left is the Headstone Viaduct, which caused such outrage in the cultural critic John Ruskin when it was built in 1863. “The valley is gone, and the gods with it,” he blasted. The railway that served the viaduct is long gone, but is enjoyed by cyclists and walkers as part of the Monsal Trail. When I look at this wooded valley I am more inclined to think of it as ‘The Arcadia of Derbyshire’. And as the sun sets, I cross the car park for a pint of amber nectar at the Monsal Head Hotel’s Stables Bar.monsalhead.comAndy Pietrasik
Free Trade Inn, Newcastle
“Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.” Photo: sonny2962/Getty Images When it comes to pubs and views, beauty is in the eye of the beholder. Some yearn for rural idylls and rolling hills but, for me, this spartan pub with its impressive position above the River Tyne is unbeatable. On a warm day, you can watch the sun set over the Gateshead Millennium Bridge from the two-level beer garden. But gazing out over the Newcastle-Gateshead skyline – the silvery curves of the Sage Music Center visible in the distance – is just as thrilling from a window seat on a damp, gray afternoon. Free Trade’s beer range is reliably impressive: 21 taps, pints from £3.80 and beers from high-caliber breweries such as Deya and Marble. Weekly visits from North East street food stars complete the package. @TheFreeTradeInnTony Naylor
Little Rock, Folkestone, Kent
The menu is based on the catch of the day. Of all Folkestone’s food places with a view, none conveys Mediterranean feelings better than this fish on the beach. A converted shipping container, Little Rock is perched right on the shingle, with palm trees, boardwalks, sun loungers (a must for a hot lunch) and dreamy ocean views from its terrace. Working with trawlers operating from the harbour, it focuses on the catch of the day – fried, grilled or broiled as you prefer. Or go for local crabs, mackerel fillets or pale-ball cod cheeks (£12.50) with spicy caper tartar sauce. Cold vinho verde and a relaxing soundtrack add to the holiday feel. littlerockfolkestone.co.ukStephen Emms
The Beach House, Edinburgh
“Waving golden sands under moody Scottish skies.” Photo: Finlay Benditt The Beach House is a friendly cafe with sunbeds next to the beach right on Portobello’s promenade. Sitting outside, you have your back to the beautiful Georgian architecture and, in front, two miles of sea – rolling waves, golden sands and clear, cold waves (good for swimming) under moody Scottish skies. Go early for breakfast and order the porty smash (mushroom, thyme and avocado on sourdough, £9) and, later, one of his homemade ice creams (from £7). An independent town until 1896, Portobello retains its character and is easily accessible by bus 26 from Edinburgh city centre.thebeachhousecafe.co.ukCaroline Eden
