Snuggle down in a cosy pub
17 COSY NORTH EAST PUBS WITH FIRES TO WARM YOU UP AS THE WEATHER STARTS TO TURN CHILLY
IT’S like a switch has been flicked – suddenly it seems like summer has beaten a hasty exit and that autumnal chill is in the air.
The evenings are already drawing in and certainly the mornings and evenings are noticeably cooler. So, our thoughts are turning – and tell us if you’re not ready – to keeping ourselves warm and cosy.
But the good news is that you don’t have to stay in and do that, as there are plenty of snuggly pubs around, some with a roaring fire when the cold weather really takes hold.
With this in mind, here are some of our favourite fireplaces to curl up with a pint or glass of wine. Some are in Newcastle city centre and others are further afield but well worth venturing to especially if you want to combine a visit with a trip out to the countryside.
Once you take a seat in a deep and comfy armchair and tuck into a wholesome hearty meal, you’ll have to drag yourself away. And you’ll snort at the mere memory of summer.
THE CUMBERLAND ARMS Cumberland Arms, Byker, NE6 1LD, 0191 265 6151
The Cumberland Arms is a great traditional pub in the heart of the Ouseburn Valley. It has something for everyone – great beer, delicious food, a fantastic place for live music, comedy and theatre.
With its stained-glass windows, open fires and back-room music nights, it is a popular haunt for all ages. The pub has an open fire and has been known to thoughtfully provide “snugglepacks” (hot water bottle and blanket for a deposit) to help ward off the chill out in the beer garden. It’s also dog friendly.
THE FORTH Pink Lane, Newcastle, NE1 5DW, O191 232 6478
This city centre pub, close to Central Station, was previously famous for hosting Victorian boxing matches. Now it’s a laid-back local with a roaring log fire and a relaxed atmosphere that makes you want to stay all day.
The bar offers 10 speciality beers and ciders and five carefully-kept real ales, as it’s all about quality, not quantity.
It serves freshly-prepared pub food every day and its traditional Sunday roasts are a popular choice. The Forth also hosts a weekly wine club and DJ night.
THE BADGER Street Houses, Ponteland, Newcastle, NE20 9BT, 01661 871037
This country pub and restaurant oozes rural charm and rustic character and is a great place to cosy up on a cold winter’s day. You can enjoy a spot by its roaring log-fire and choose dishes from its seasonal menu whilst enjoying a couple of drinks.
There are many public footpaths around the pub, so if you fancy walking off your Sunday lunch there’s plenty of routes to choose from, including one that takes in the Pele Tower, a 14th-century fortified tower.
RAVENSWORTH ARMS Lamesley, Gateshead, Tyne and Wear, NE11 0ER, 0191 4876023
Set in the lovely conservation area of Lamesley Pastures and overlooked by Anthony Gormley’s Angel of the North, this is a traditional-style country pub which is ideal for a relaxing Sunday lunch by the fire or for meeting up with friends for a classic pub meal. The Ravensworth offers all the regular pub favourites as well as seasonal dishes.
There are several tranquil trails set out from the pub itself, taking in the unique medieval landscape including the atmospheric ruins of Ravensworth Castle and the abundant wildlife of the River Team.
THE BEEHIVE
The Beehive is a great country pub offering fantastic food. It is close to the coast and in view of St Mary’s Island so whether it’s a lazy Sunday lunch, a quick drink after work in the pub’s one-acre secret garden, or watching the match with friends, The Beehive has it covered.
The Grade II-listed building was built in the 18th Century and became an inn in 1896 and despite its recent refurbishment, it still maintains its old charm and character with low-beamed ceilings and snug dining areas. It is also the perfect stopping place for dog owners, as the pub has a separate dining room for dogs and treats are available from the bar.
THE BOATHOUSE Station Road, Wylam, Northumberland, NE41 8HR, 01661 853431
Awarded best pub in South West Northumberland, The Boathouse is opposite Wylam train station and sits on the south bank of the river Tyne. It is a traditional pub, with low-beamed ceilings and a dark wood bar decorated with tankards, pump-clips, and paintings.
It serves traditional home-cooked ‘hearty’ food in its separate restaurant and specialises in around 12 real ales. The pub is just off the Newcastle-Hexham rail line, as well as the Keelman’s Way cycle route, so you can warm yourself in front of a heartening open fire during the cold winter nights.
THE BLACKBIRD North Road, Ponteland, NE20 9UH, 01661 822684
This beautiful, historic pub goes back over 500 years and part of the pub is made up of the remains of Ponteland Castle. In 1935, experts uncovered an ancient tower, a beautiful Tudor fireplace and many other ancient objects which, due to restorations, can still be found in the pub today. It’s a blend of old and new and is central to village life with a good mixture of customers.
The Blackbird’s food menu changes with the seasons and boasts country pub favourites combined with contemporary flair. Diners can choose to sit in the bar or the main dining and the pub is also very dog-friendly.
THE RAT INN Anick, Hexham, Northumberland, NE46 4LN. 01434 602814
Hartley Lane, Earsdon, Whitley Bay, NE25 0SZ, 0191 252 9352
Set in the hamlet of Anick, The Rat overlooks the Tyne Valley and the market town of Hexham, and has spectacular views from its stunning terraced beer garden. You can enjoy a drink or meal in its cosy bar while a cast iron range blazes away with a further logburning range at the opposite side of the room. The Rat is well known for its hearty and traditional locallysourced food, hand-pulled beers and welcoming atmosphere.
THE ANGEL OF CORBRIDGE
Main Street, Corbridge, Northumberland, NE45 5LA, 01434 632119
The Angel is a historic coaching inn built in 1726 in the beautiful countryside of Northumberland. Renowned for its use of local produce, it is a great gathering place for all-day dining with Northumbrian traditions in its bar, lounge with a real log fire, barn restaurant, private dining room, and fish and chip takeaway.
THE KEEL ROW
Foremans Row, Seaton Delaval, Northumberland, NE25 0QG, 0191 237 0060
This lovely country pub was recommended by one reader as it is ‘really cosy and we always get a lovely warm welcome from the staff and owner. It’s definitely one to try and it’s dog friendly too.’
The Keel Row is an award-winning pub which is renowned for its home-cooked food, as well as offering a full a la carte menu with dishes from around the world. Diners can either eat in its 72-seat conservatory restaurant, or more casually in the bar area, offering the perfect venue for any occasion.
THE PLOUGH INN
Stamfordham Road, Eachwick, Northumberland, NE18 0BG, 01661 853555
The Plough Inn describes itself as a traditional pub with a modern twist and it comes highly recommended by one Chronicle reader who praised the newly-refurbished pub for its “amazing food”. She also said: “It’s beautifully refurbished, very cosy and a perfect place to stop for a drink! Lovely warm atmosphere.”
The family-run pub is located in the countryside on the outskirts of Newcastle and whether you are looking for a somewhere to enjoy delicious food, a refreshing drink or just a quiet coffee, The Plough Inn is a great place to visit,
THE JOLLY FISHERMAN
9 Haven Hill, Craster, NE66 3TR, 01665 576461
Combining stunning sea and harbour views with home-cooked food and real ales, this historic pub with its stone flagged floors and low-beamed ceilings offers everything from fresh catches of the day (the pub is well known for its crab soup served with sourdough bread) to ribeye steak and confit duck.
The Jolly Fisherman has tradition and character at its heart, and in the winter months, you can relax by one of its roaring open fires while enjoying a fireside pint.
THE MILL HOUSE
Blackfell, Birtley, County Durham, DH3 1RE, 0191 4151313
This award-winning traditional pub is full of character, wrapped in flagstone floors, exposed beams and brickwork and is filled with lots of cosy nooks and crannies, and roaring fires in the wintertime.
The Mill House offers good food and an extensive menu in relaxed surroundings and diners can enjoy lunch, dinner and afternoon tea in its restaurant. It also has its own authentic rustic pizzeria cooking homemade pizza and pasta freshly to order and served on authentic rustic wooden boards.
THE RED LION INN
22 Northumberland Street, Alnmouth, NE66 2RJ, 01665 830584
The Red Lion Inn is a traditional 18th-Century coaching inn that’s a welcome retreat where you can stay over, eat great food, and drink some of the finest local beers. Its owners pride themselves on its cosy and relaxed atmosphere and offer a genuinely warm Northumbrian welcome to all their guests. The inn serves locally produced food in its bar and restaurant and also provides bed and breakfast accommodation. It’s dog friendly too but dogs on leads are only allowed in the bar and beer garden.
THE PRINCE OF WALES
2 Liddell Street, North Shields, NE30 1HE, 0191 296 2816
Nestled on the Fish Quay, The Prince of Wales is a traditional Sam Smith pub which has proved popular with the locals. In the winter it has a roaring fire in the bar, so you can keep toasty while drinking a few pints.
Outside the pub there is a replica ‘wooden dolly’ from which the pub takes its nickname. This is a part of North Shields folklore that stretches back 200 years. Shipowner and brewer Alexander Bartleman erected the first dolly, an old ship’s figurehead, in 1814.
It became the custom for local sailors to cut off slivers for good luck. To date there have been a total of six dollies in the town.
In 1992, the most recent Dolly was placed on the Fish Quay at the same site as her forebears, outside the Prince of Wales Tavern, proudly watching over the Tyne.
THE KINGS ARMS
The Harbour, Seaton Sluice, Northumberland, NE26 4RD, 0191 237 0275
Overlooking the famous Seaton Sluice Harbour, “The Kings” is situated in a beautiful location on the Northumberland coast. It is a traditional pub which has recently been refurbished and customers can sit back, relax and enjoy a cosy atmosphere, real log fires and traditional home cooked food. One Chronicle reader asked: “What more do you want?”
THE SNOWY OWL, CRAMLINGTON
Blagdon Lane, Cramlington, Northumberland, NE23 8AU, 01670 736111
The Snowy Owl in Cramlington is a country pub oozing rural charm and rustic character, situated on the site of Plessy North Moor Farm, which was originally part of the estate owned by the Ridley family of Blagdon Hall.
It’s next door to Northumberlandia and its picturesque surroundings provide the perfect backdrop for enjoying its hearty, seasonal pub-food after a wintry walk, especially by its log fire.