The Central Hotel, Half Moon Lane, Gateshead, Tyne and Wear, NE8 2AN. Tel:0191 4782543.

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The Central Hotel as it is called, although always known as 'the coffin', because of its shape, was always a real traditional old pub. Used on a couple of occasions in the past in movies, The Central was always known as a bit of a rough dive, but always worth a visit because of its character.

It was allowed to fall into abysmal disrepair but the Head of Steam pub group managed to get some help and lottery money, to completely refurbish it, inside and out. A good job they've made of it too, without losing too much of its old ambience.
With live music upstairs and reasonable food served along with some wonderful real ale (about 8 to choose from) downstairs. Its taken about 2 years to get it to its present state, opening a bit at a time.
On Cask Task's 3 visits over the past 18 months or so its been interesting to see its development and sample some of these beers. Wylam Angel, York Brewery Guzzler, Consett Cast Iron, Ossett Brewery Corker, Copper Dragon Brewery Freddie Truman, Black Sheep, Marston Moor Brewery Cromwell and Hadrian and Border Brewery Byker Light.

Walk out of the door, down the bank, and you're on the old Swing Bridge and the Quayside. Marvelous.

Stonebridge Inn, Nevilles Cross, Durham, Co Durham, DH1 4PJ, Tel:0191 3709422.

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The Stonebridge Inn was visited by Cask Task in the early part of 2010, only to draw a blank as far as real ale was concerned. It's only stocked in the summer season we were told. 3 forlorn hand pulls were temporarely redundant.
Cask Task is made of sterner stuff, and did as asked, to find only one in action on the return visit. Spitfire was the one, so a couple of pints were had. The consolation, however, was the accompaniment of some fine sandwiches to go with the beer. One steak sandwich and two exellent lamb sandwiches were served up and despatched with vigour.
Only one real ale choice was a disappointment but the food did make up for it.

The Green Tree, Village Green, Tudhoe, Spennymoor, Co Durham, DL16 6LE. Tel:01388 815679.

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The Green Tree stands at the side of Tudhoe's village green and is a picturesque little pub.
Although only selling one real ale, I've put it on Cask Task because of its cosy atmosphere and good food.

The beer, Black Sheep, I must say was in excellent condition and the best pint of the stuff I've had for some time.
Certainly, if your in the Spennymoor area it's worth a meal and a pint in The Green Tree at Tudhoe.

Number 22 Alehouse and Canteen, 22 Coniscliffe Road, Darlington, County Durham, DL3 7RG. Tel:01325 354590.

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Number 22 Alehouse and Canteen. Certainly a name to conjure with and not a great looker from the outside, but what a grand modern and comfortable interior. A superb real ale pub.

Although not wide, the pub is cavernous inside. Maybe a bit too high. But let's not nitpick. It's friendly and comfortable and by god does it offer some choice of beer.
I counted twelve, yes 12, real ales. It is home to the Village Brewer Brewery, three of whose ales are there. The list is endless. Brakspear, Ringwood, Skipton, Ossett.......I had the Village Brewery Old Raby Ale but, after a long day sampling on your behalf, I got so pissed (you've guessed it) I forgot to take the photo.
Another visit may have to be made. What a shame!

Made a second visit and got the photo.

Tap & Spile, 99 Bondgate, Darlington, County Durham, DL3 7JY. Tel:01325 381679.

The Tap & Spile sits right next door to the Tapas Bar on Bondgate. Real handy for the dedicated boozer because here is another place to stagger into if you enjoy good ale.

Not the most attractive of interiors but a fine selection of good beers to choose from.
Wychwoods Hobgoblin, Adnams Broadside, Moorhouses Blond Witch and Saltaires Triple Chocolate (yuk!!)

The chalkboard listing the above and forthcoming ales was worth the visit. Some wit had removed some letters and words to give amusement to the reader. Cask Task will leave these changes to your ingenuity.

Quaker House, High Row, 2 Mechanics Yard, Darlington, County Durham, DL3 7QF. Tel:07783960105.

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The Quaker House exterior doesn't exactly invite you in. Look at our photo. And its up a narrow alley! Nevertheless, in we went and I must say the greetings from the guv'nor and the barman were 1st class. So was the beer. Eight on tap! The place was a real drinkers paradise.
Rock music a speciality with umpteen bands billed to appear.
The Quaker House was CAMRA's Town Pub of the Year 2009-2010.

Real ales from Woodfords, Summer Wine Brewery, Rugby Brewery, Shipyard Brewery, Consett's Cast Iron and Brakspears Hooray Henry!

A highly enjoyable visit to a good real ale house.

Britannia Inn, 1 Archer Street, Darlington, County Durham, DL3 6LR.

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The Britannia Inn is one of a cluster of real ale pubs in this area of Darlington and saved Cask Task a lot of limping around.
It's a lovely old place with an ancient interior. Loads of good and friendly atmoshere and plenty of Ist class beer. Just the job!
Six hand pulls available from Stonehenge Ales, Harviestouns, Marstons, O'Hanlons, John Smiths Cask(would you believe) and Strongarm Ruby Red Ale. A proper pub.
An enjoyable drink we had there.

Duke Of Wellington, Darlington Road, Durham, Co. Durham, DH1 3QN. Tel:0191 375 7651.

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The Duke of Wellington looked very welcoming from the outside, so in we went.

What a lovely pub it is. Attractively decorated throughout and an excellent array of real ales to choose from. What more can you ask for.

Six pumps including Black Sheep, Deuchars IPA, Timothy Taylors Landlord(2 pumps), Spitfire and Ruby Red. I thoroughly enjoyed my Black Sheep (in tremendous condition by the way) and sat back to sup it.

A popular eating place and I really look forward to trying it out in the near future.

1st class pub which I thoroughly recommend.

The Turks Head, 27 Market Place, Barnard Castle, Co Durham, DL12 8NE. Tel:01833 690874.

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The Turks Head stands right in the centre of the Market Place and hasn't got much of a frontage to attract you. Once inside though the place is quite interesting. Stretching further back than you might expect with one or two little cosy corners. A not unpleasant feel and atmosphere to it.
Three real ales to choose from. Theakstons Bitter, Old Speckled Hen and Wells Bombardier. Worth a look in.

The Beaconsfield Hotel, 105 Galgate. Barnard Castle, Co Durham, DL12 8ES. Tel:01833 637194.

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The Beaconsfield Hotel is a huge building which hits you just as you turn down into the town on Galgate.
Recently acquired new management,of the Liverpudlying variety, served up a very pleasing pint of Adnams Bitter. The other real ale was Wells Bombarbier.

We wished the manager and his wife good luck with this grand old pub.

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).