Angels

You'll find this Georgian coaching inn holding court on Bedford Road, its whitewashed walls and black timber framing looking exactly as they should after centuries of welcoming travellers. Inside, the low-beamed ceilings and worn wooden floors create that proper pub atmosphere that chain places spend fortunes trying to replicate. The kitchen takes McMullens' pub grub seriously – think decent Sunday roasts, fish and chips that don't disappoint, and seasonal specials that show someone's actually thinking about the menu. The beer selection leans heavily on McMullens' own brews, which makes sense given they've been brewing in Hertford since 1827. Service moves at a pleasant pace rather than London speed, and the regulars clearly know they're onto something good here.