Happy New Year from The Good Pub Guide

We really enjoyed the Tinners Arms in Zennor, Cornwall. Good beer, good food, lots of games (including our favourite, backgammon) to play on a cold afternoon.

The Rose and Crown, Stoke St. Gregory was my favourite pub during the holiday season. The staff were even more friendly and the warm welcome made you feel part of the Browning family. The party on Boxing Day was a huge success - good food, live music, singing, drinking and dancing - what more could you wish for!

I spent New Year in a pub called The Calf in Clapham. It was very crowded, but the bar staff were really good, we managed to get a seat, and the food looked so good it made me wish I hadn't already eaten dinner! Definitely worth a repeat visit.

A couple of pubs stood out this Christmas: The Golden Lion in Settle on a freezing afternoon! The restaurant and main bar were full, but we were made very comfortable in the recently refurbished tap room where we were served very good value/quality bar food. Staff were cheery and helpful, despite working flat out.

The Kings Head in Winchmore Hill (north London) is always worth a visit, but we had a particularly post-Christmas lunch here. The food is excellent, with an above average gastro-pub menu. The roaring fires and comfy sofas are difficult to leave on a winters afternoon! Book in advance if you want to eat, the restaurant is very popular.

I visited The Alwyne Castle in Highbury, North London as I bought my Christmas tree from right outside. It is a lovely place to pop in for a Christmas drink as they had great mulled wine on offer! The roast dinners are also very good too!