Best Free House Pubs in Cornwall
A free house is a pub not tied to a single brewery, meaning it can stock ales and ciders from wherever it likes. Notable Cornish free houses include The Bush Inn (Morwenstow, 13th century), The Rashleigh Inn (Polkerris, right on the beach), The Standard Inn (Gerrans), and The Rising Sun (Portmellon, a 17th-century free house on the beach).
Being a free house means a pub isn't contractually tied to one brewery's beers, so it's free to choose what goes behind the bar — often resulting in a more varied, more locally rooted drinks selection than a tied pub can offer.
The Bush Inn, Morwenstow
A genuinely ancient pub, with a history of hospitality dating back to around 950AD and current buildings from the 13th century. A free house near Bude with sea views, exposed beams, open fireplaces, and regular music nights.
The Rashleigh Inn, Polkerris
Known locally as "the inn on the beach," this 300-year-old free house sits directly on the sand at Polkerris, near Fowey, with views over St Austell and Mevagissey bays. The beer selection rotates seasonally, typically featuring Cornish breweries.
The Standard Inn, Gerrans
A much-loved free house near Portscatho, taken on in 2022 by the team behind The Hidden Hut. Low beams, snug rooms, open fires, and a drinks list well rooted in Cornish craft beer, local ales, and Cornish wines.
The Rising Sun Inn, Portmellon
A 17th-century, Grade II Listed free house right on the beach at Portmellon, near Mevagissey. As a free house, the range behind the bar isn't fixed to one brewery, and includes rotating Cornish ciders and ales alongside familiar names.
Why does being a free house matter to visitors?
In practice, it usually means a more interesting, more locally rooted drinks selection than you'd find at a pub tied to a single national brewery — free houses have the flexibility to change what they stock, back local breweries directly, and adjust to what's actually good rather than what a supply contract dictates.
