Pubs of Northumbria - an Incomplete Guide

Covid, followed by economic challenges of a global nature, have caused difficult times for pubs in the UK.  Some of my occasional haunts up in Northumbria have closed down.  So here's a few notes and a general endorsement of those that remain...

1. The Bowes, Bardon Mill.

This year, as was the case in 2022, it was my home base for two weeks of excavating.  In part this is peculiar to my reason for being there.  There are not many pubs/lodgings in walking distance to Vindolanda.  But the brisk 40 minute hike (35 if I mean business) is not the only draw.  Nice people, good ale and a very tasty menu.  Oh, there are fewer items on said menu this year...I miss the Cumbrian sausages.  But as a returning long stay guest I got both good natured teasing and a degree of input on things.  They actually put steak and ale pie back on the menu just because I asked!

Oh.....this will require additional explanation over the next several months.

Who's it for?  Diggers at Vindolanda.  Travelers in the Hadrian Wall area who don't need/want post.  The locals.  BOWES

2. The Queen's Head, Great Whittington.

It's nice to have friends in the area.  Nicer still when their son runs a pub.  The Queen's Head was reopened post Covid.  It's in a nice little village which seems pretty upscale.  We had Sunday brunch there after a very long hot walk.  I very much enjoyed the ale.  I ordered lamb roast which did come with a side order of guilt after seeing so many cute little guys over the course of the afternoon.

Who's it for?  Seems to be a proper village pub.  Sorry we missed trivia night.  QUEENS HEAD

3. The Black Bull, Haltwhistle

A genuine Time Warp  pub.  The building is old.  The taproom is small, dark, smells like the wood fire they keep going.  No tourists here, its all locals.

This was Coronation Day.  One of the patrons had made a cake and shared it with us.  

In a tiny pub it is difficult to take really natural photos.

Who's it for?  Diggers at the new excavation at Magna perhaps.  They do have a couple of rooms to let.  Food is only served a few days of the week.  Nostalgia is full time.  BLACK BULL

4. The Badger, Ponteland

OK, this one is a stretch.  It's a bit expensive.  But the food was good.  I consider this a find for two reasons.  Firstly, it is in walking distance of the Newcastle airport.  And when the vagaries of flight scheduling means you have to stay over and get up at Stupid o' Clock having anything that is not sterile, expensive fast food it a big plus.  Also my nickname in the excavator world is Badger, so there's that.  BADGER