The Cottage

Head down Thunder Lane and you'll find yourself in the kind of pub that actually belongs to the community rather than just existing in it. The Cottage has that warm, slightly worn-in feel where regulars know the bar staff's names and strangers feel welcome within five minutes. It's the sort of place where you can nurse a pint without anyone bothering you, or sit down to proper pub grub that doesn't pretend to be something it isn't. The ratings speak for themselves—over a thousand reviews and still holding 4.5 stars means this place does the basics brilliantly and doesn't get above its station.