Tan Hill Inn, Swaledale, North Yorkshire
Last year, New Year revellers were snowed in for three days at Britain's highest pub. But that hasn't stopped the Tan Hill from organising a three-night DIY Christmas Break (the pub provides an honesty bar and food for guests to cook their own Christmas lunch) from £220pp half-board, or £130pp in the bunkroom. Snow is always likely in December up here, and with the resident lambs, dogs and chicks wandering around inside the pub, it will be a bit like a living Christmas nativity scene.
• 01833 628246, tanhillinn.co.uk. Closed on Christmas Day except for guests
The Bongo Club, Edinburgh
Not strictly a pub, but the home of the Edinburgh branch of the Skeptics in the Pub group, "rational thinkers" who meet to discuss all manner of issues from a sceptical perspective. The Christmas Skeptacular on 16 December includes speakers musing on the "Myths of Christmas". An antidote to the commercial side of Christmas.
• More information at edinburgh.skepticsinthepub.org
The Fauconberg Arms, Coxwold, North Yorkshire
This inn on the edge of the North York Moors national park has a lively Christmas offering, with rock'n'roll carols on 19 December, traditional carols on Christmas Eve, a Boxing Day buffet and even a pub panto – though you'll have to wait until February for that.
• 01347 868214, fauconbergarms.com. Open 11am-1.30pm on Christmas Day
The Water Rat, Ripon, North Yorkshire
The landlord at the Water Rat is passionate about good beer, having previously worked for a micro-brewery. The pub offers a selection of Camra-accredited cask ales. This year sees the start of a new tradition – Christmas party night on 18 December – and the continuation of an old one – the annual Boxing Day duck race at 2pm.
• 01765 602251, thewaterrat.co.uk. Open from 12-1.30pm on Christmas Day
The Leyland Arms, Llanelidan, Denbighshire
The Leyland Arms has a picture-postcard setting in a traditional Welsh village, flanked by church and village hall, overlooking the cricket pitch, and with the Clwydian mountains as a backdrop. The Llanelidan Nativity will be held in the pub at 3pm on 19 December – toast baby Jesus with a pint of Santa's Sack.
• 01824 750822, leylandarms.co.uk. Open from 11am-3pm on Christmas Day
The Bull, Shocklach, Cheshire
This traditional village pub, first licensed in 1850, was given a sensitive modern makeover three years ago. December events include a charity Christmas quiz on the 7th, a party night with a live band on the 10th, and carols and mince pies on the 21st.
• 01829 250239, thebullshocklach.com. Open from 12-2pm on Christmas Day
The Bulls Head, Repton, Derbyshire
This freehouse serves local beers and pizza from a wood-fired oven. On 19 December, there's a carol concert and singalong with the Burton Concert Band, a children's entertainer, a visit from Santa, lashings of mulled wine and hot roast turkey sandwiches.
• 01283 704422, thebullshead.co.uk. Open from 12-5pm on Christmas Day
The Bulls Head, Barston, West Midlands
This four-times local Camra award-winning pub hosts a popular monthly quiz night – the bumper festive edition will be held on 19 December. Pretend you've stepped into a Christmas carol when you pay a visit to Raffles, the resident pub donkey.
• 01675 442830, thebullsheadbarston.co.uk. Open from 11-2pm on Christmas Day
The Butchers Arms, Balscote, Oxfordshire
The Grade II-listed Butchers Arms has a traditional ice house in the garden. A shopping event on 10 December is a chance to buy a handmade candle, and a Christmas music night on the 19th will be candlelit. We don't think the festive quiz on the 22nd is candle-related, but it might be best to bone up on taper trivia just in case.
• 01295 730750, balscote.com/butchersarms. Open from 12-2pm on Christmas Day
The Gardeners Arms, Alderton, Gloucestershire
This 16th-century thatched pub has an original well in the lounge. On Christmas Eve the Alderton Handbell Ringers are performing, and for those who didn't overdo it on the big day, the Winter Real Ale Festival starts on Boxing Day.
• 01242 620257, gardenersarms.biz. Open from 11.30am-2pm on Christmas Day
The Unicorn, Cublington, Buckinghamshire
This cosy 17th-century village freehouse has a couple of live music events in December, but the big draw is surely the sloe gin competition on the 16th. Fancy your chances in the vintage hedgerow category? This could be your lucky year.
• 01296 681261, theunicornpub.co.ukcorrect. Open from 12-2pm on Christmas Day
The Jolly Sailors, Brancaster Staithe, Norfolk
This 18th-century north Norfolk pub has its own micro-brewery, producing four ales using locally grown barley. The pub has just been granted a film licence – a gulp of Oystercatcher will help clear that lump in your throat when you watch Toy Story 3 on 18 December. The pub also has a weekly running group for those on a new year health kick.
• 01485 210314, jollysailorsbrancaster.co.uk. Closed on Christmas Day
The Dolphin, Thorpeness, Suffolk
The Dolphin, which reopened in 1998 after being destroyed by fire, is a community focal point. The village Christmas party takes place there on 10 December, with a three-course meal, mince pies and a secret Santa. On Christmas Eve, there will be carols, mulled wine and a Santa's grotto.
• 01728 454994, thorpenessdolphin.com. Open from 12-3pm on Christmas Day
The Bell Inn, Chittlehampton, Devon
This family-run inn has traditional shove-ha'penny and a skittle alley – and not so traditional alpacas in the garden. There's a Christmas folk night on 21 December, and on Christmas Eve there will be carols and a singalong.
• 01769 540368, thebellatchittlehampton.co.uk. Open from 12-2pm on Christmas Day
The Blisland Inn, Bodmin, Cornwall
The Blisland's landlord will be serving his excellent real ales and ciders in his shorts and T-shirt this Christmas, however low the temperature falls. See more strangely attired men on 19 December, when the local morris dancers perform their mummers' play. With luck, artist Janet Shearer's amazing 3D nativity mural will also be back.
• 01208 850739, bodminmoor.co.uk/blislandinn. Open from 12-2.30pm on Christmas Day and briefly in the evening
The Ship Inn, Mawgan-in-Meneage, Cornwall
This village pub, at the gateway to the Lizard Peninsula, came under new management a couple of years ago and now focuses on local food and ale, and community events. A packed Christmas line-up includes a quiz (14 December), a blues night (18th), carols with Santa (23rd) and a Cornish singalong (30th).
• 01326 221240, ship-inn-mawgan.co.uk. Closed on Christmas Day
