The Rockcliffe Arms, Algernon Place, Whitley Bay, Tyne & Wear, NE26 2DT. Tel:0191 2531299

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To find the Rockcliffe Arms sat.nav would be handy! Search it out though because its well worth it.

What a gem of a real ale pub it is. A good manager, friendly clientele and a marvelous selection of ales, well kept. A beer drinkers paradise in a quiet side street and comfortably furnished to boot.

Cask Task enjoyed the Caledonian Brewers Passion but High House Farm Top Tup, Dark Star Brewerys Hophead and the rest of the six real ales looked in fine fettle.

An absolute must visit if your in Whitley Bay.

The Briar Dene, 71 The Links, Whitley Bay, Tyne & Wear, NE26 1UE. Tel:0191 2520926.

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The Briar Dene must be amongst the best real ale pubs in the north east.
Its a Fitzgeralds at the north end of the links. Just when you think there's no watering holes left, there it is. What a lovely building. An absolute pleasure to have your pint in there.

Extremely well appointed with the wood, carpets and furniture giving it a superb feel.
The inevitable Black Sheep, Downtown Brewery Apple Blossom Ale, Derventio Annubis, Spitting Feathers Special Ale and Thirst Quencher, and Elland Brewery Angel Easy complete the line up.

What a treat. Right on the water front.

Fitzgeralds, 2 South Parade, Whitley Bay, Tyne & Wear, NE26 2RG. Tel:0191 2511255.

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This is a typical Fitzgeralds and large with it!

Comfortable, welcoming and a good atmosphere. I do like a Fitzgeralds pub. Always a good choice of real ales too. Four on here. Westoe IPA, a good strong one this, Allendale Wolf, Axolotl Salamander, a new one on me this one and Harvest Pale.

A good relaxing hour or so well spent.

Fire Station, 18 York Road, Whitley Bay, Tyne & Wear, NE26 1AB. Tel:0191 2939030.

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The Fire Station. Yet another huge Wetherspoons pub/restaurant with 'cheap as chips' real ale.

We caught a beer festival featuring 50 real ales on in this one! Unfortunately, only a fleeting visit allowing a pint of Black Chalice for me but an amazing selection featuring Elland Marathon Ale, Moorhouse Amber Rambler, Springhead Spring Chicken and on and on and on........

A bit soulless as usual but if the dosh is a bit scarce this is the place to nosh and sup!

Seaton Lane Inn, Seaton Lane, Seaton, Co Durham, SR7 OLP. Tel:0191 5812038

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The Seaton Lane Inn looks, as you approach, an ordinary village pub. Park up round the back and its a sizeable hotel and restaurant. In for a pint we went, in the very comfortable and pleasant bar.
The choice of real ales was my Deuchars IPA, Theakstons Best Bitter and London Pride.
To excite your imagination somewhat further, I was in need of the toilet and the visit was further enhanced by a quite posh experience there too. On hobbling out I was confronted by a lovely restaurant and dining area. Superb.
Certainly worth a look in for a pint as well as a meal (and a visit to the posh toilets).

The Spotted Cow Inn, 31 The Green, Elwick, Hartlepool, Cleveland, TS27 3EF. Tel:01429 266373.

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The Spotted Cow Inn was a chance visit for Cask Task, when the journey to Teeside had to be made to replace a faulty Sony stereo system, under guarantee, from Curry's store in Teeside. What a boring old fart the Cask Task real ale taster can be. Not to worry. The Spotted Cow in the lovely village green in Elwick was a pleasure to sup your ale in.

Ringwoods Boondoggle(would you believe?), Jennings Stickle Pike(which I've never seen before on my travels, so I had a good pint of that) and Jennings Cocker Hoop were the three on offer. Very enjoyable.
Another good real ale pub in Elwick.

The McOrville Inn, 34 The Green, Elwick, Hartlepool, Cleveland, TS27 3EF. Tel:01429 273344.

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What an unexpected pleasure the McOrville Inn turned out to be.

Situated in the beautiful village green of Elwick, this friendly and comfortable pub serving good food and, more importantly from Cask Task's point of view, good real ale .
Nick Staffords Hambleton Ales Stud and Stallion, which was my choice incidentally, were accompanied by Timothy Taylors Landlord, making for an excellent choice of three beers.

A smashing pub well worth the trip out.

Dipton Mill Inn, Dipton Mill Road, Hexham, Northumberland, NE46 1YA. Tel:01434 606577.

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The Dipton Mill Inn is not the easiest pub to find, but well worth the effort as its a fabulous old building.
Full of character, low ceiling, proper fire and its own real ale brewery! Even has decent food if you want it and an attractve beer garden out the back, but that will have to wait for another visit.
Cask Task seems to be staggering from one terrific country pub to another and this one's a beaut!
A good welcome from behind the bar started us off on the pub's Hexhamshire Brewery Devils Water. Deliciously dark and tasty. Right up my street and I can't wait to try the Old Humbug which comes in at 5.5%. A grand variety of ales including Shire Bitter, Whapweasel, and Devils Elbow complete the choice.
This pub's a must for the real ale fan. Can't wait to go back.

The Feathers Inn, Hedley On The Hill, Stocksfield, Northumberland, NE43 7SW. Tel:01661 843607.

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What a smashing old pub The Feathers Inn turned out to be. Having missed it, for one reason or another, were we pleased to find it at last, in the little village of Hedley On The Hill, and I can't wait to go back for something to eat.
A cheery welcome, from Pip behind the bar, lead us to sample the locally brewed Hexhamshire Devils Water from the choice of 4 real ales. Smashing.
The others were, Mordues Workie Ticket, Wylams Magic, and Cumberland Brewerys Corby Ale.
Unfortunately, pushed for time, Cask Task had to be dragged off home, but not for long I hope.