It would be hard to find a Northumbrian village without a pub. Often former coaching inns or drovers’ inns, they retain the same sense of welcome and refreshment to allcomers (nowadays, including dogs, cyclists and walkers) but with more comforts. The food may be more refined and the décor smarter but the best still have original features such as exposed-stone walls and toasty fires. Central, of course, are the beers, with many pubs sourcing from within the county boundaries; evocative brewery names to look out for include Hexhamshire, Cheviot, Rigg & Furrow, and First & Last. Northumbrian gins, vodkas and even whisky and rum keep the spirits proudly local, too.
All our recommendations below have been hand selected and tested by our resident destination expert to help you discover the best pubs in Northumberland. Find out more below, or for more Northumberland inspiration, see our guides to the region’s best hotels, restaurants, things to do and beaches.
Find a pub by type:
Best for beer aficionados
Best for views
Best traditional pubs
Best all-rounders
Best for beer aficionados
The Ship
Tucked in the corner of the village green in tiny Low Newton-by-the-Sea, this whitewashed, one-room pub could equally claim to be “best for views”: the village green, which doubles as its unofficial beer garden, opens to the beach. Beers and lagers, with names such as “Sandcastles at Dawn” and “Sea Dog”, are brewed next door with, at any one time, between four and five on the bar. With scrubbed wooden floors and tables, the bar has regular folk nights and pie nights.
AdvertisementAdvertisement#«R2aekkr8lb2m7nfddbH1» iframe AdvertisementAdvertisement#«R4aekkr8lb2m7nfddbH1» iframeArea: Low Newton-by-the-Sea, Northumberland coastWebsite: shipinnnewton.co.ukPrice: £
The Ship opens up onto the village green, which doubles as its unofficial beer gardenTwice Brewed Inn
A five-minute march from Hadrian’s Wall, this roadside pub is big and unpretentious with a large L-shaped bar. It’s popular with families in the daytime thanks to its spacious beer garden. The six hand-pulled ales, produced in the next-door brewery, constantly rotate – apart from the ever-popular Sycamore Gap pale ale. Others might include Steel Rigg (a porter), Ale Caesar (an amber ale) or the thumping 7.5 per cent wheat beer, All My Friends Are Dead. Try the adjacent Tap Room for a “taster plank” of three different beers.
Area: Bardon Mill, Hadrian’s WallWebsite: twicebrewedinn.co.ukPrice: £
A 5-minute detour from Hadrian’s Wall, Twice Brewed Inn is the ideal pit stop for those walking its length - Robert Morris/ AlamyThe Curfew
This micro-pub up a narrow alley near the Old Bridge in Berwick-upon-Tweed is easily missed. With its regularly changing cask ales and traditional ciders (between three and four of each at any one time), plus bottled craft beers from around the world, it’s one for the ale-curious. The choice could range from a sour fruit beer to a New Zealand Pale Ale or a full-bodied Yorkshire stout. As well as a slip of a bar, there’s a covered courtyard; great for summer drinking.
AdvertisementAdvertisement#«R2jekkr8lb2m7nfddbH1» iframe AdvertisementAdvertisement#«R4jekkr8lb2m7nfddbH1» iframeArea: Berwick-upon-Tweed, Northumberland coastWebsite: facebook.com/curfewmicropubPrice: £
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Best for views
The Duke of Wellington Inn
In the tiny village of Newton, this inn is easily missed, unless you’re a local or have heard about its rather good food. The paved terrace, with horizon-stretching views across the Tyne valley, is where you want to be in the warm weather. If it’s chilly, you’re best off in the dog- and muddy-walker-friendly stone-flagged bar. The bar usually stocks three cask ales plus a good range of gins, including several distilled in Northumberland, as well as a fine choice of single malt whiskies.
Area: near Corbridge, Hadrian’s WallWebsite: thedukeofwellingtoninn.co.ukPrice: £
The Duke of Wellington’s paved terrace has panoramic views across the Tyne ValleyThe Red Lion Inn
Half way down Alnmouth’s main street, this 18th-century coaching inn’s secret card is the rear beer garden. From here there are far-reaching views over the estuary of the River Aln and down the coastline. It’s a relaxing spot to enjoy one of the pub’s beers, a rotating selection of local craft and traditional ales, or one of its popular Aperol and passionfruit spritzes. There are summer pizzas, too.
AdvertisementAdvertisement#«R2tekkr8lb2m7nfddbH1» iframe AdvertisementAdvertisement#«R4tekkr8lb2m7nfddbH1» iframeArea: Alnmouth, Northumberland coastWebsite: redlionalnmouth.comPrice: £
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Best traditional pubs
Holly Bush Inn
Away in the National Park, where roads grow narrower and sheep more numerous, this sweet-looking pub, a former 18th-century drovers’ inn now tricked out with hanging baskets and window-boxes, delivers a friendly welcome and a proper fire-warmed bar (food is served in the separate dining rooms). The five regular cask ales come from within a 35-mile radius – Grainger Ale, from Hadrian Border Brewery, always “flies out the door” – with a changing guest ale.
Area: Greenhaugh, mid-NorthumberlandWebsite: hollybushinn.netPrice: £
The Holly Bush Inn’s cosy, fire-warmed bar is the perfect place to begin or end a walk in the national parkThe Olde Ship Inn
It takes a while for first-timers to adjust to this small, L-shaped bar with its wood-panelling, red banquettes and copper-topped tables. And every bit of wall and ceiling is hung with nautical paraphernalia from lobster pots, model ships and brass clocks, to knotted ropes, lifebelts and naval caps. The polished bar, with its gleaming brass rail, offers up to 10 hand-pulled ales – a mix of local, Newcastle, Yorkshire and sometimes Edinburgh brews. It’s cramped but good-humoured and there’s a rear terrace overlooking Seahouses’ harbour.
AdvertisementAdvertisement#«R37ekkr8lb2m7nfddbH1» iframe AdvertisementAdvertisement#«R57ekkr8lb2m7nfddbH1» iframeArea: Seahouses, Northumberland coastWebsite: theoldeship.co.ukPrice: £
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Best all-rounders
The Angel of Corbridge
In the centre of handsome Corbridge, with its chi-chi shops and tearooms, the Angel, as it’s affectionately known, is a popular meeting place for locals, whether that’s for a morning coffee, lunch or an evening drink. Either take a stool in the large bar with its white-washed plaster walls and scrubbed tables, or hole up in a comfy leather sofa in the fire-warmed, wood-panelled lounge. For a sunny sundowner, the paved south-facing terrace is a perfect spot for people-watching. Four cask ales include a custom-made brew, The Angel’s Share.
Area: Corbridge, Hadrian’s WallWebsite: theangelofcorbridge.comPrice: £
The Northumberland Arms
This handsome Georgian inn – built by the Duke of Northumberland for guests to his nearby home of Alnwick castle – in the well-heeled village of Felton is a good spot for a quiet lunchtime or early evening drink (later it can get busy with diners). With a modern-rustic style the bar keeps around five real ales plus a cracking cocktail selection. Perfect for sipping while sitting on the small terrace overlooking the River Coquet.
AdvertisementAdvertisement#«R3gekkr8lb2m7nfddbH1» iframe AdvertisementAdvertisement#«R5gekkr8lb2m7nfddbH1» iframeArea: Felton, mid-NorthumberlandWebsite: northumberlandarms-felton.co.ukPrice: £
The Northumberland Arms has managed to create a modern and well-heeled environment while still retaining ample rustic charm - Elliot NicholThe Joiners Arms
After a romp on the beach at Low Newton-by-the-Sea, head 10 minutes up the hill to this cute-looking bohemian-decorated pub with its exposed-stone walls, leather banquettes, red-velvet stools, oversized floral lampshades and fake pot-plants. The bar keeps around five beers brewed in the North East, plus a guest ale, but you can be easily tempted by a cocktail such as an Elderflower Tom Collins or Apple Fog Old Fashioned, especially if it’s sunny enough for the terrace.
Area: High Newton-by-the-Sea, Northumberland coastWebsite: joiners-arms.comPrice: £
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How we choose
Every pub, venue or experience in this curated list has been tried and tested by our destination expert, who has visited to provide you with their insider perspective. We cover a range of budgets and styles, from casual pubs to exquisite cocktail bars – to best suit every type of traveller – and consider the service, drinks, atmosphere and price in our recommendations. We update this list regularly to keep up with the latest openings and provide up to date recommendations.
About our expert
My introduction to Northumberland was pretending to be a Roman centurion on a childhood Hadrian’s Wall holiday. Now, living near the Wall, I’ve discovered far more; not least horizon-stretching views, puffins, crab sandwiches, and wild, empty beaches.
Helen Pickles, Telegraph Travel’s Northumberland expert - Asadour GuzelianBroaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more.
