The Northumbria Pub Guide

Steve and Ted’s Favourite Northumbrian Pubs 2026

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 2026. For more about how we chose the pubs scroll to the bottom of the guide. Enjoy visiting them. Steve Gillon, January 2026.

NORTHUMBERLAND

Alnmouth	Try Also	Red Lion Inn, 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. GBG, 2023
Ashington	Try  Also	NEW, Hop 77, Micropub, 2025
Beadnell	Try Also	Craster Arms, 2021
Berwick Upon Tweed	TOP 20	Pilot, 31 Low Greens, TD15 1LZ, GBG. An excellent traditional boozer. 2025
Berwick Upon Tweed	Try Also	Castle Hotel, 2021 ; Curfew, GBG. Micropub, 2021

Corbridge	Try  Also	NEW, Black Bull, GBG, 2025 ; NEW, Pele, Micropub, GBG, 2025
Hexham	Try Also	Platform Bar, Hexham Station, GBG. Micropub. 2022 ; Victorian Tap. 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 Arms, GBG, 2023
Norham	Try Also	NEW, Masons Arms, 2025
Old Hartley	Try Also	Delaval Arms. GBG, 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
Felling	Try Also	RE-ENTRY, Old Fox, GBG, 2025 ; RE-ENTRY, Wheatsheaf, GBG, 2025
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, GBG. 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. 2025.

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	Bodega. GBG. 2024 ; Centurion, Central Stn. Impressive interior. 2025 ; Duke of Wellington, 2021 ; Hotspur. 2022 ; Lady Greys, GBG, 2024 ; Newcastle Tap. GBG,2025 ; NEW, Rosie’s Bar, 2025 ; RE-ENTRY, Trent House, GBG, 2025 ; Wobbly Duck. GBG.Micropub. 2025
Newcastle, Heaton	Try Also	NEW, The Last Resort, Micropub, 2025
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	Olde Cross, 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	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	Steamboat, 27 Mill Dam,  NE33 1EQ. 2024. GBG. Fine old pub with a good selection of beers. 2024.
South Shields	Try Also	Stags Head. GBG, 2024.
Sunderland	Nearly There	RE-ENTRY, Dun Cow, 9 High Street West, SR1 3HA, Fine pub with a historic interior and good beers, GBG, 2025
Sunderland	Nearly There	Ivy House, Ashbrooke, SR2 7AW, Close to Park Lane bus and metro station, good beers and pizzas. 2025
Sunderland	Try Also	Avenue, Roker, GBG, 2023 Harbour View, Roker, GBG, 2023. RE-ENTRY, Museum Vaults, GBG, 2025 RE-ENTRY, Ship Isis, GBG, 2025

Tynemouth	TOP 20	Tynemouth Lodge, Tynemouth Rd, NE30 4AA, GBG, Fine traditional pub between Tynemouth and North Shields. Regular in GBG for 40 years. 2025
Tynemouth	Try Also	Platform 2. Tynemouth Metro. 2023
Washington	Try Also	Courtyard. Washington Arts Centre. GBG. 2024
Whitley Bay	Try Also	Rockcliffe Arms. GBG.2024 ; Split Chimp, Spanish City, GBG. Micropub.  2022

COUNTY DURHAM (and Darlington)

Barnard Castle	Try Also	Old Well Inn, GBG, 2025.
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. 2025 ; 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. 2025.
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). 2025.
Durham City	TOP 20	Old Elm Tree, 12 Crossgate, DH1 4PS. GBG. Good beer, friendly local pub, well looked after. 2025.

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. 2025.
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. 2025.
Durham City	Nearly There	Dun Cow, 37 Old Elvet, DH1 3HN, GBG Tiny front bar ideal for a few pints and conversation. 2025
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, 2025.
Durham City	Try Also	Half Moon, GBG, 2025 ; Hill Island Brewery, Restricted hours (usually Saturdays) 2023 ; Hop Knocker. Gilesgate. Micropub. 2024 ; RE-ENTRY, Shakespeare, 2025 ; Waiting Room, on station platform. GBG. 2025.

Ferryhill Station	Nearly There	Surtees Arms, Chilton Lane, DL17 0DH, GBG. Home of Yard of Ale Brewery, plus guest beers. 2025
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. 2025.
Middlestone Village	TOP 20	Ship Inn, Low Road, DL14 8AB, GBG. An excellent and welcoming village pub. 2025
Middleton in Teesdale	Try Also	NEW, Forresters Hotel, 2025

Romaldkirk	Try Also	Kirk Inn, 2025 ; RE-ENTRY, Rose and Crown,  2025
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. 2025
Spennymoor	Try Also	Frog and Ferret, GBG, 2025
Stanhope	TOP 20	Grey Bull, 17 West Terr DL13 2PB,  Friendly community-owned pub. 2023

West Cornforth	Try Also	Square and Compass, GBG, 2025
Witton Gilbert	Nearly There	Glendenning Arms, Front St, DH7 6SY. GBG. Village community local. 2025
Wolsingham	Try Also	Black Lion, GBG, 2025

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	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. 2025.
Stockton	Nearly There	Golden Smog. 1 Hambletonian Yard, TS18 1DS, GBG.Friendly micropub.2021.
Stockton	Try Also	Kopper Keg. GBG. Micropub. 2025 ; Tipsy Turtle. GBG. Micropub. 2025

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 2026 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 2026