Duke Of Wellington, Newton, Stocksfield, Northumberland, NE43 7UL. Tel:01661 844446.

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The Duke of Wellington was always a good food pub. It has certainly got getter in the looks department. In fact it's been extended and completely refurbished. My photo doesn't do it justice.
The interior has been done out in limed oak in a most luxurious way. Both bar and restaurant.The patio area at the rear has been extended, on two levels, facing south, and has wonderful views.

With four real ales on offer. Deuchars IPA, Curlews Return from Allendale, Hadrians Tyneside Blonde and Timothy Taylors Landlord. A couple of Curlews Return went down a treat.
If the food is as good as the place looks it'll be superb.

Must get back and try it.

The Elks Head, Whitfield, Hexham, Northumberland, NE47 8HD. Tel:01434 345282.

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The Elks Head is an attractive and inviting pub a little out of the way, but beautifully sited, by the river.

Some extensions were being completed to accomodate extra guest rooms overlooking the water at the rear and were going to enhance the place.

The interior was pleasantly decorated and comfortable with a couple of real ales on sale.

Allendale Golden Plover and Deuchars IPA.

A very pleasant visit.

Carts Bog Inn, Langley on Tyne, Hexham, Northumberland. NE47 5NW. Tel:01434 684338.

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The Carts Bog Inn was originally built around 1775.
It stands virtually on its own and looks, to all intents and purposes, like a roadside cottage. Get yourself inside though, and its a welcoming and attractive little country pub and restaurant.
A decent number of diners seemed to be thoroughly enjoying the grub while we concentrated on the beer.

The three hand pumps offered up Northumberland Brewerys Fuggles Gold, Hadrian and Borders Tyneside Blonde and I couldn't resist trying the Bog Bitter from Mordues. Very nice.

Another wonderful little pub around the edges of the roads from Newcastle to the Lake District and Carlisle.

The Crown at Catton, Nr. Hexham, Northumberland, NE47 9QS. Tel:01434 683447.

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The Crown at Catton had been closed for a good few years until the Allendale Brewery took it on.

Its a real old country pub which serves meals and of course, Allendale Brewerys good real ales.
When we called, the excellent Curlews Return was on, Golden Plover, Swift, Entrepreneur, and Allendales own Adder Lager.
After a delicious Curlews Return, off we went, to a jig from the Crown's fiddler outside, to continue the quest.

The Black Bull, Market Square, Haltwhistle. Northumberland, NE49 0BL.Tel:01434 320463.

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The Black Bull was not the easiest place to find, but as we were looking for the centre of Britain, and found it (there is a large stone marking it in Haltwhistle) we almost fell into the pub.

Tucked away in a lane, behind the Centre of Britain stone, sits this little gem. Popular not only its beer (six real ales always available) but its food as well. A cosy little pub with a pleasing atmosphere, we had a good pint there.
Plenty to choose from including Courage Directors bitter, Marstons Merry Monk, Caledonian Mild Mayhem and Hopback Brewerys Summer Lightning to name but a few.

An excellent way to round off the days travels.

The Milecastle Inn, Military Road, Hadrians Wall, Haltwhistle, Northumberland. NE49 9NN. Tel:01434 321372.

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The Milecastle Inn's directions were passed on to us, as we would never have called here.

I am glad, however, that we did. What a smashing pub inside. Low ceilings, a comfortable feel about it and we must admit, the owner's son, who was on duty, made us feel welcome.
Handy for the Hadrian's Wall visitor, the Milecastle is a good stop off point.

With three hand pulls on, two Big Lamp Beers and Prince Bishop, plus an inviting menu, this is worth a look in.

The Twice Brewed Inn, Military Road, Bardon Mill, Hexham, Northumberland, NE47 7AN. Tel:01434 344534.

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The Twice Brewed pub is a real ale establishment ideally placed for the Hadrians Wall visitor,

being only 1/2 a mile from a good section of the wall and one of its forts. A busy and well used small hotel with a real buzz about it. Food also.

A must for its real ale choices too. Six pumps including, Twice Brewed Bitter, High House Farm Nettle Beer, Captain Cooks Black Porter(loverly),and more.

Definitely worth a visit.

The Bowes Hotel, Bardon Mill, Hexham, NE7 7HU. Tel:01434 344237

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The Bowes Hotel was stumbled upon by Cask Task while looking for the Twice Brewed pub.

We called in The Bowes to find that, unexpectedly, two hand pubs were to be had there. Jennings Tom Fool and Wylams Gold. So we had a pint.

As it happened the barman was a bundle of knowledge on real ale pubs in the area. So, not only did we enjoy a decent drink, but we gained our route plan for the day.

Thirst temporarely quenched, off we went.