Talking of 'characterful' pubs, I used to visit the Three Stags Heads at Wardlow Mires, Derbyshire on occasion - scene of Britain's last live gibbeting coincidentally.
The only pub I've been in that had real stone walls with 1960's imitation stone wallpaper glued over the top in parts. Beer out the jug, mutton stew from the sheep outside and a barn loft if you couldn't drag yourself home.