The Beamish Mary, No Place, Beamish, Stanley, Co. Durham, DH9 0QH. Tel:0191 3700237.

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The Beamish Mary in No Place.

The pub named after her, probably a coalmine, is an inviting and cozy little place complete with glowing open fire. A grand sight on a winter's evening, complete with a fine selection of real ales.
Back Shift Bitter and Lamplight, both local brews, Consett Red Dust and White Hot, Northumberland Fog On the Tyne, Daleside Old Leg Over, Hadrian Farne Island as well as Weston's Old Rosie Cider. By, you could have a good night in here.

It's a shame we were pushed for time (the driver had to pick the wife up from work; must get a new driver!) but we must call again, to down some more of that very nice Back Shift Bitter.
Smashing pub.

The Black Horse, Red Row, Beamish, Co. Durham, DH9 0RW. Tel:01207 232569.

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The Black Horse. There must be hundreds of them, but Cask Task managed to find one that wouldn't let us in.

Cask Task is made of sterner stuff though. At the third visit, we got in! Our persistance was based on the attractiveness of the place and its surroundings. It didn't disappoint.

The two stoves, one from the original part and the other from the extended section certainly added to the feeling of warmth in what is one large room split into two by the central bar. We had difficulty getting in because the place has had a complete re-vamp, including the surrounding gardens. It should be a picture in the summer.

Going back to the 1700's The Black Horse seems to be based on the row of cottages there and a sound job has been made of them.
The three real ales on sale were Brains SA(a Welsh brewery), Shepherd Neames Spitfire and Wells Bomardier. The SA we sampled was 1st class.

We were made very welcome there and I'm sure you will be too.

The Shepherd and Shepherdess. Beamish, Stanley, Co. Durham. DH9ORS Tel:0191 3700379.

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The Shepherd and Shepherdess had been known to me for about 30 years. About the time of my first visit to the Beamish Museum with my wife and very young children. I did not go in to the pub at the time but I was looking forward to my tipple this time round.

Quite a pretty pub to look at but its reputation as a real ale drinkers home was something I was to be disappointed about.

An 'L' shaped room had a good feel to it mind, but only 2 of the 5 wooden handles were in use. Wells Bombardier and Black Sheep (a pint of which I had) stood in lonely isolation. What a let down! On top of that, I sat on the sun umbrella covered seats outside only for it to rain, after a beautiful afternoon's sunshine.

My second call about 18 months later was a much more satisfying experience. All pumps working and the beer spot on. The food was good and the service 1st class from the staff. The atmosphere was friendly and welcoming. I hope it continues.

The Stables, Beamish Hall Country House Hotel. Beamish, Stanley, DH9 0BY. Tel;01207 233733

I was invited here on a red hot sunny sunday afternoon by my son, his wife and my two grandchildren!
Instead of the Beamish Hall Hotel, a 17th century listed building, it turned out to be The Stables. Don't laugh. The Stables is a huge extension of the hotel itself which, incidentally, is in some 24 acres of parkland.
The Stables houses a restaurant, bar, birds of prey section, adventure playground and, thank heavens, a micro-brewery! The marvelous selection of beers included Bobby Shaftos Silver Buckles India Pale Ale, (pitman's poet Tommy Armstrong's) Old Miner Tommy's Pale Ale, Beamish Hall Best Bitter, Beamish Burn Brown Ale, which I had, and a superb Stout or two, which polished me off .

After a visit to the Clarendon pub in Sunderland I discovered who has the micro brewery here at Beamish Hall. None other than John Taylor and Steve Potts of the Bulls Lane Brewery!

The place is very impressive and superb for a family day out.
Not for yours truly, but a good sunday lunch and a good pint of real ale to boot.
Worth a try.