Steve and Ted’s Favourite Northumbrian Pubs 2025
These are the favourite pubs in Northumbria that Ted and I have visited over the last five years. The date is the year that we last visited the pub. GBG means that they are in the CAMRA Good Beer Guide 2025. For more about how we chose the pubs scroll to the bottom of the guide. Enjoy visiting them. Steve Gillon, January 2025.
NORTHUMBERLAND
| Alnmouth | Try Also | Red Lion, GBG. 2022 |
| Alnwick | Try Also | Ale Gate, GBG. Micropub. 2022 Harry’s Bar, GBG. Micropub. 2022 John Bull, 2022 Tanners Arms, GBG, 2022 |
| Amble | Try Also | Cock and Bull. Micropub. 2023 |
| Beadnell | Try Also | Craster Arms, 2021 |
| Berwick Upon Tweed | TOP 20 | Pilot Inn, 31 Low Greens, TD15 1LZ, GBG. An excellent traditional boozer. 2021 |
| Berwick Upon Tweed | Try Also | Castle Hotel, 2021 Curfew, GBG. Micropub, 2021 |
| Hexham | Try Also | Platform Bar, Hexham Station, GBG. Micropub. 2022 Victorian Tap, GBG, 2024 |
| Morpeth | Nearly There | Office, Chantry Place, NE61 1PJ, GBG. Friendly micropub with excellent beer selection, 2023 |
| Morpeth | Nearly There | Tap and Spile, 23 Manchester St, NE61 1BH, GBG. Friendly traditional pub. 2022 |
| Morpeth | Try Also | Joiners, GBG, 2023 |
| Old Hartley | Try Also | Delaval Arms, 2022 |
| Seahouses | TOP 20 | Olde Ship, 7-9 Main St, NE68 7RD, GBG. Hard to beat. Excellent range of beers, friendly, the bar full of nautical bits and pieces is a classic. Eclectic range of customers completes the scene. 2021. |
| Warkworth | Try Also | Castle Brew House (Sun Hotel), 2022 Hermitage Inn, 2022 |
| West Thirston | Try Also | Northumberland Arms. 2023 |
| Wylam | TOP 20 | Boathouse Inn, Station Rd, NE41 8HR. Well worth missing a train for. Get off at Wylam if passing through. Tremendous beers, friendly atmosphere. 2022 |
TYNE AND WEAR (Gateshead, Newcastle, North Tyneside, South Tyneside, Sunderland)
| Birtley | Try Also | Railway Hotel, 2022 |
| Blaydon | Try Also | Black Bull, 2022 The Yard. Micropub. 2022 |
| Gateshead | TOP 20 | Central, Half Moon Lane, NE8 2AN. Near Tyne Bridge. Excellently refurbished pub. Good selection of mainly local beers. 2024 |
| Gateshead | Nearly There | Microbus, 2 High Level Parade, NE8 2AJ. Fine micropub in railway arch with campervan theme. GBG, 2023 |
| Gateshead | Try Also | Station East, GBG.2023 |
| Monkseaton | Try Also | Left Luggage Room, Monkseaton Metro Station. 2022 |
| Newburn | Try Also | Keelman, GBG. Big Lamp Brewery Tap. 2022 |
| Newcastle City Centre | TOP 20 | Bacchus, 42-48 High Bridge, NE1 6BX. GBG. Well refurbished pub. Excellent range of real ale and unusual craft bottled and keg beers. 2022 |
| Newcastle City Centre | TOP 20 | Crown Posada, 33 The Side, NE1 3JE. GBG. A gem of a pub. Good beer. Good music from the record player, friendly. 2024. |
| Newcastle City Centre | TOP 20 | Mean Eyed Cat, 1 St Thomas St, NE1 4LE. GBG. Friendly micropub with wide selection of beer and cider. Handy for bus stations. 2024 |
| Newcastle City Centre | TOP20 | Bridge Hotel, Castle Garth, NE1 1RQ. GBG. At North end of the High Level Bridge with excellent views from the beer garden. Well preserved and restored and a wide selection of beers. 2024 |
| Newcastle City Centre | Nearly There | Bridge Tavern, 7 Akenside Hill, NE1 3UF. GBG. Pub with beer garden directly beneath the Tyne Bridge, with own microbrewery. 2021. |
| Newcastle City Centre | Try Also | NEW. Bodega. GBG. 2024 ; Centurion, Central Stn. Impressive interior. 2024 ; Duke of Wellington, 2021 ; Hotspur. 2022 ; Lady Greys, GBG, 2024 ; NEW. Newcastle Tap. GBG,2024 ; Town Wall. 2020 ; Wobbly Duck. GBG. Micropub. 2022 |
| Newcastle, Heaton | Try Also | Heaton Tap, GBG. Micropub. 2023 |
| Newcastle, Ouseburn | TOP 20 | Free Trade Inn, GBG. St Lawrence Rd, NE6 1AP. Beer excellent as ever, as is the jukebox. Unbeatable location overlooking the Tyne. Great atmosphere. 2021. |
| Ryton | Nearly There | NEW. Olde Crosse, Barmoor Lane, Old Ryton Village, NE40 3QP. GBG. Edwardian pub by the village green. The first community-owned pub in the Tyne Valley. 2024. |
| Ryton | Try Also | NEW. Lane Head. Micropub. 2024 |
| South Gosforth | Nearly There | Victory, 43 Killingworth Rd, NE3 1SY, GBG. Traditional pub. 2022 |
| South Gosforth | Try Also | Brandling Villa, 2022 |
| South Shields | TOP 20 | Alum Ale House, Ferry St, NE33 1JR. Eight handpumps – ideal place to miss a ferry or six. 2024. |
| South Shields | Nearly There | Marine, 230 Ocean Road, NE33 2JQ. GBG. Plenty of decent beers, close to the sea front. 2021 |
| South Shields | Nearly There | RE-ENTRY. Steamboat, 27 Mill Dam, NE33 1EQ. 2024. GBG. Fine old pub with a good selection of beers. 2024. |
| South Shields | Try Also | RE-ENTRY. Stags Head. 2024. |
| Sunderland | Nearly There | Ivy House, Ashbrooke, SR2 7AW, GBG. Close to Park Lane bus and metro station, good beers and pizzas. 2023 |
| Sunderland | Try Also | Avenue, Roker, GBG, 2023 ; Harbour View, Roker, GBG, 2023. |
| Swalwell | Try Also | Cafters (formerly Owa the Road). Micropub. 2022 Sun Inn, 2022 |
| Tynemouth | TOP 20 | Tynemouth Lodge, Tynemouth Rd, NE30 4AA, GBG, Fine traditional pub between Tynemouth and North Shields. Regular in GBG for 40 years. 2024 |
| Tynemouth | Try Also | Platform 2. Tynemouth Metro. 2023 |
| Washington | Try Also | NEW. Courtyard. Washington Arts Centre. GBG. 2024 |
| Whitley Bay | Try Also | NEW. Rockcliffe Arms. GBG.2024 ; Split Chimp, Spanish City, GBG. Micropub. 2022 |
COUNTY DURHAM (and Darlington)
| Barnard Castle | Try Also | Old Well Inn, GBG, 2020. |
| Bishop Auckland | TOP 20 | Welcome, Low Waldron St, DL14 7DS. Friendly back street local close to town centre. One cask beer, always in excellent condition. 2024 |
| Bishop Auckland | Try Also | Bay Horse, GBG. 2024 Green Tree,2022 |
| Blackhill | Try Also | Scotch Arms, GBG, 2021 |
| Chester le Street | TOP 20 | Butchers Arms, Middle Chare, DH3 3QD, GBG. Fine traditional pub. 2023 |
| Chester le Street | Try Also | Lambton Worm, 2021 |
| Consett | TOP 20 | Grey Horse, 115 Sherburn Terrace, DH8 6NE, GBG. Friendly local pub, home of the Consett Ale Works Brewery…so a fine pint also. 2024. |
| Darlington | TOP 20 | Number Twenty 2, 22 Coniscliffe Rd, DL3 7RG, GBG. Modern pub with a great range of beers. 2021. |
| Durham City | TOP 20 | Colpitts Hotel, Colpitts Terrace, DH1 4EL. Traditional Sam Smiths boozer, sympathetically refurbished, full of character (and characters). Good landlords (I’ll have a pint). 2024. |
| Durham City | TOP 20 | Old Elm Tree, 12 Crossgate, DH1 4PS. GBG. Good beer, friendly local pub, well looked after. 2024. |
| Durham City | TOP 20 | Victoria, 86 Hallgarth St, DH1 3AS, GBG. Historic pub, with all the plus points – good beer, friendly atmosphere and coal fire. 2024. |
| Durham City | TOP 20 | Station House, North Road, DH1 4SE, GBG. Micropub with quality beer which has developed into a fine local. Excellent reputation for cider. 2024. |
| Durham City | Nearly There | Dun Cow, 37 Old Elvet, DH1 3HN, GBG Tiny front bar ideal for a few pints and conversation. 2024 |
| Durham City | Nearly There | Holy Grale, 57 Crossgate, DH1 4PR, GBG. Micropub which has become a good local boozer. Limited cask choice but large craft selection, 2024. |
| Durham City | Try Also | Half Moon, GBG, 2023 ; Hill Island Brewery, Restricted hours. Usually open Saturdays. 2023 ; NEW. Hop Knocker. Gilesgate. Micropub. 2024 ; Waiting Room, on station platform. GBG. 2023. |
| Ferryhill Station | Nearly There | Surtees Arms, Chilton Lane, DL17 0DH, GBG. Home of Yard of Ale Brewery, plus guest beers. 2022 |
| Framwellgate Moor | TOP 20 | Fram Ferment, 29B Front St, DH1 5EE, GBG. Friendly (particularly to dogs) micropub and bottle shop with good selection of cask and craft beer and cider. 2024. |
| Middlestone Village | TOP 20 | Ship Inn, Low Road, DL14 8AB, GBG. An excellent and welcoming village pub. 2021 |
| Seaton | Nearly There | Dun Cow, The Village, SR7 0NA, GBG. Unspoilt local pub. 2022 |
| Spennymoor | TOP 20 | Little Tap, King St, DL16 6QQ, GBG Small and friendly micropub. 2024 |
| Spennymoor | Try Also | Frog and Ferret, GBG, 2024 |
| Stanhope | TOP 20 | Grey Bull, 17 West Terr DL13 2PB, GBG. Friendly community pub. 2023 |
| West Cornforth | Try Also | Square and Compass, GBG, 2021 |
| Witton Gilbert | Nearly There | Glendenning Arms, Front St, DH7 6SY. Village community local. 2024 |
| Wolsingham | Try Also | Black Lion, GBG, 2023 |
TEESSIDE (NORTH), (Hartlepool and Stockton)
| Hartlepool | Nearly There | Rat Race Ale House, Hartlepool Station, TS24 7ED, GBG. The first micropub in the Northeast. Deservedly popular. 2024 |
| Hartlepool | Try Also | NEW Camerons Brewery Tap & Bottle Shop (Anchor). GBG. 2024 ; Causeway. Stranton. 2024. |
| Stockton | TOP 20 | Sun Inn, Knowles St, TS18 1SU. GBG. A proper boozer despite refurbishment, mainly full of blokes following the racing. Still the best pint of banked Bass in existence. 2024. |
| Stockton | Nearly There | Golden Smog. 1 Hambletonian Yard, TS18 1DS, GBG.Friendly micropub.2021. |
| Stockton | Try Also | Copper Keg. GBG. Micropub. 2024 ; Tipsy Turtle. GBG. Micropub. 2024 |
Choosing the pubs
This is Ted and Steve’s guide to their favourite pubs in Northumbria. The main criteria for selection are decent beer (cask ale in Steve’s case) and a welcoming, friendly atmosphere rather than food, beer gardens or range of wines and spirits.
The pubs are divided into three categories:
- The Top 20. There are currently 24 pubs in the top 20: I never was good at counting.
- Nearly there pubs are very good also. The reason they are not in the top 20 varies and we would like to try another time of day or week to make up my mind.
- The Try Also group are decent pubs also….worth dropping in if you are in the area.
The list is organised by county, from North to South (Northumberland, Tyne and Wear, County Durham including Darlington and the ex-bits of Cleveland north of the River Tees), and within that alphabetically by place. GBG means they are in the 2025 CAMRA Good Beer Guide. Pubs which we haven’t visited for more than five years are dropped from the guide – each entry notes the most recent year we visited.
Photographs: All photographs are by Steve Gillon, except Steve and Ted in the Station House which is by Dave Webster.
Copyright: (c) Copyright, Steve Gillon, January 2025
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