Why a good pub might matter more than you think when buying or selling a home
From quaint inns in sleepy villages, to traditional railway taverns in bustling city centres, pubs are part of the fabric of British life. For George Nicholson, one of the appeals of moving from the cathedral city of Salisbury last year to the quintessential Wiltshire village of Swallowcliffe was the sheer quantity of good local pubs.
“Of course, you have Friday nights, when everyone is at the pub, chewing the fat, passing the time, and having a laugh,” says George, an agent in our Salisbury office. “But then it’s also somewhere you meet your family for a Sunday roast or take your partner – or prospective partner! – for a drink on a Saturday afternoon. The pub is essentially an important social hub.”
George’s view is not unusual. Our latest Housing Futures survey highlights the important role that pubs can play.
Asked to rank 12 amenities they’d like within walking distance of their new home in order of importance, respondents placed pubs in seventh place. That’s ahead of amenities such as nurseries and schools, sports and fitness facilities, and a library.
This echoes research by the British Beer and Pub Association (BBPA), which shows that 52% of Brits consider a good local pub a top priority when house hunting.
Interestingly, our survey also found that living within spitting distance of a pub is considered more important in the countryside, where there tends to be less on the doorstep, than in urban and suburban areas.
So, why are pubs such cherished institutions? For starters, in an increasingly digital age, they can help foster a sense of belonging and connection.
According to The Open Arms Report, launched in 2021 in the wake of the pandemic, pubs can provide “people from all walks of life with a space to come together for social interaction and connection”. This chimes with George, who says: “You might meet new people or bump into someone you haven’t seen in years. It’s that unpredictability. Sure, you could be at home but it’s nice to go out, see people, and have a change of scenery.”
Some 37% of respondents in our Housing Futures survey said that a good local pub or community bar would be one of the top ways to improve their feeling of community. This proportion increases with age, from 27% of 18-34-year-olds, to 45% of those aged 65 and over.
Perhaps unsurprisingly, this sentiment is felt most keenly in the countryside. Nearly half (46%) of those looking to move to rural areas ranked a good local pub or community bar highly for enhancing their sense of community. This compares with 30% of respondents in urban areas and 37% in the suburbs.
The Red Lion in Preston, Hertfordshire, became Britain’s first community-owned pub in the early 1980s. And it continues to be an integral part of the village community, according to manager Ray Lambe.
Dating back to 1844, the pub is more than just an attractive spot to enjoy a pint and bite to eat. It is in the thick of village events, including a Christmas tree ‘switch on’, harvest auction, and an Easter egg hunt. Notably, our Housing Futures survey found that across all age brackets, community events ranked even more highly than pubs in enhancing a sense of community. This explains why the likes of The Red Lion, which holds events throughout the year and raises money to support the local school, church and cricket club, become the centre of their local community.
One of the advantages of the pub is that it’s a neutral, easy space where people can meet. Local teachers and members of the village cricket club are among those that gather at The Red Lion. And when Preston receives newcomers, it provides a backdrop for new faces to integrate into the local community. “How else do they get to know their neighbours other than by going to the pub?” asks Ray.
Pubs can also be handy places to catch up on local news and plug into the neighbourhood more generally. Picking up a tip for a good local plumber over a drink at a mahogany bar certainly beats scrolling through online reviews, surely? As George puts it, “you end up finding out all sorts - whether it’s a new local book club or an upcoming event”.
But pubs aren’t just havens for local communities. They can be useful barometers for house hunters too, with 43% visiting the local pub to get a better sense of an area’s atmosphere, according to the BBPA.
“We regularly have house hunters pop in to get a feel for the area. Local pubs are the perfect way to learn more about the neighbourhood as they’re often filled with residents who consider us as an extension of their own home,” said Lisa Barry, publican at The Rose & Crown in Plymouth, at the launch of BBPA’s research.
It’s little wonder then that a good local pub can hold considerable sway with buyers looking to put down roots. Nearly a quarter (24%) of homeowners admit that the local pub “influenced” their decision to buy their home, says Zoopla.
According to Oli Custance Baker, head of our National Country House Department, the opening or adaptation of a pub can have a major bearing on an area.
He points to the Cotswolds, where high-profile pubs such as The Bull in Charlbury, The Wild Rabbit in Kingham, and Jeremy Clarkson’s The Farmer's Dog near Burford have helped to drive interest in this picturesque corner of the countryside.
Similarly, the Beckford Group’s stylish pubs in Fonthill Gifford, Mells, Hinton Saint George, and Longleat have added to the allure of southwest England.
In Oli’s experience, good local pubs are part of the lifestyle that buyers envisage in the countryside. He explains: “Buyers want the ability to go to the pub and enjoy good food and drink, and have a community around them. Whether it’s a quick pint, a top-quality supper, or a good Sunday lunch, having a variety of pubs in the area is a priority.”
Inspired? Here are five homes for sale near popular pubs.