DRINK IT IN
Inside the incredible pub hidden under medieval ruins among British mountains
And where to find the ten cheapest pints in the world
AN "old-worldly" pub hidden beneath the remains of a stunning medieval abbey can be found tucked away in a quiet UK mountain range.
The bar has been described as "wonderfully cosy" and serves drinks to its patrons in a small cavern like space beneath the ornate exterior.
5
5
5
Llanthony Priory was built in the Vale of Ewyas in Wales' borderland Black Mountains during the 12th Century by Norman knight William de Lacy, as a rural retreat from war.
Giraldus Cambrensis, Gerald of Wales, the 12th-century traveller and chronicler wrote of it at the time described it as being "truly suited to the monastic life… in a wilderness far removed from the bustle of mankind".
Today it still offers people an escape from the trappings of modern life, with phone signal even said to be non-existent up in the hills.
What does exist is the picturesque shell of the priory's grand abbey, with its impressive arches standing tall amid the dramatic scenery that surrounds it.
Read More on UK Pubs
However, the priory's real hidden gem can be found in what is believed to have been the abbey's cellar.
In there is a small pub simply known as the Llanthony Priory Cellar Bar.
It serves local Welsh beers and homemade meals in a room with vaulted ceiling and a log fire.
The pub, described by as an "old-worldly drinking den" is actually part of the Llanthony Priory Hotel, which is also attached to the site.
Most read in Travel
The accommodation has been created to reflect the abbey’s role as a retreat from the modern world.
As well as having no phone signal, there are no TVs in the rooms, nor is there any WiFi.
EVERGREEN VIDEO - Undiscovered tourist destinations
However, it doesn't just attract people looking for an escape from the hustle and bustle of modern life, with hikers, stargazers and history fanatics all drawn to the region for different reasons.
Atlas Obscura continued: "Hidden beneath the 900-year-old site is a wonderfully cosy undercroft bar, where in-the-know patrons duck down into a cave-like space to sample the selection of local ales on tap.
"Along with drawing hikers, history buffs, and quirky pub enthusiasts, the area is also famed for its stargazing credentials, offering exceptionally clear views of the cosmos after dark."
The pub has proved to be a popular talking point with people visiting the site, with plenty of people talking about in their reviews of Llanthony Priory on TripAdvisor.
The 10 cheapest pints in the world
- Uzbekistan - 70p
- China - 90p
- Madagascar - £1
- Vietnam - £1.02
- Ukraine - £1.06
- Belarus - £1.07
- Philippines - £1.25
- Colombia - £1.28
- Azerbaijan - £1.29
- Kazakhstan - £1.34
One wrote: "The hotel is full of character, the pub in the old cellar is full of character with a fantastic choice of ales, and the food is good."
Another said: "If you are walking the Offa's Dyke or anywhere around the Llanthony area you must visit the cellar bar."
Llanthony Priory isn't the only place in the UK with a historically interesting pub.
South Shields Cave Pub
The in South Shields was blasted into the side of a cave by a smuggler called Jack Bates, now known as Jack the Blaster.
Today it remains a pub and restaurant overlooking the beach.
According to the Inn's website, some of the old pirates and smugglers can be found haunting it to this day.
London Hangman's Noose
Right on the banks of the Thames sits the Prospect of Whitby, one of London's most famous pubs.
Next to the bar is a small alleyway that leads to a beach around the back of the bar.
The boozer used to be a haunt of smugglers and sailors and, in the 17th century, "Hanging" Judge Jefferys became a regular.
To celebrate, a replica gallows and noose sits out the back of the pub where the sand meets the river.
Welsh Beach Pub
The Ty Coch Inn in the village of Porthdinllaen near Morfa Nefyn, Gwynedd, Wales was voted one of the ten best beach bars on the planet last summer.
The pub is described as a "traditional tavern with real ale and pub food, plus nautical decor and sea views" according to , who say it could be the best pub in Wales.
The pub was built in 1823 and was originally a vicarage before it was turned into an inn for sailors and seafarers.
READ MORE SUN STORIES
Meanwhile, here are some UK holiday spots that look like they could be abroad.
And for anyone looking for a quiet staycation, here are some of the most tranquil holiday spots in the UK.
5
5
Topics