The Old Mill at Knitsley, Knitsley Mill House, Knitsley, Consett, Co. Durham, DH8 9EL. Tel:01207 581642.

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The Old Mill at Knitsley is in the most beautiful of country settings next to a trout stream.

The interior is very inviting, extremely attractive and comfortable with a couple of real ales on tap. My pint of Hobgoblin went down a treat, as we sat outside in the sunshine and watched the trout and the ducks meander by. Marvelous.
It is well set up, with an area under canvas, to accomodate large parties and weddings.
I think a meal must be tried to appreciate the place properly. Another time perhaps.

 That other time is here! 20/10/2010.
Cask Task enjoyed a venison casserole and a couple of pints of Pedigree, with a beautiful woman, near the open, wood burning fire. What a treat.

Derwent Walk Inn, Ebchester Hill, Ebchester, Consett, County Durham, DH8 0SX. Tel:01207 560347.

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The Derwent Walk Inn is set on the side of a hill giving superb views of the surrounding countryside for miles around. Especially from the added conservatory seen here on the left.

A Jennings house, it supplies a good selection of their real ales. The powerful and densely dark Sneck Lifter (I couldn't resist a pint of this), Cocker Hoop, Cumberland Ale and Bitter, all on sale here.

Once ensconced in the conservatory, with a pint in my hand, I couldn't resist the food menu and enjoyed, with friends, a good home cooked meal. The staff were friendly and reasonably responsive to our needs and the visit was a success.

A pub well worth the sojourn.

The Royal Oak, 7 Manor Road, Medomsley, Consett,Co Durham. DH8 6QN. Tel:01207 560336.

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What an attractive pub the (Royal) Oak is.
A good, comfortable and inviting place, although only two real ales on offer. Not to worry as they were both in good order. Theakston's Best Bitter and Mordues Five Bridge Bitter didn't let us down and the staff were friendly.
A warm and relaxing pub for an enjoyable couple of pints. Certainly worth a visit.

The Grey Horse, 115 Sherburn Terrace, Consett. DH8 6NE. Tel:01207 502585.

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The Grey Horse is what Cask Task calls a proper pub.

It very much reminds us of my father's long since demolished local in Gateshead which had two individual rooms which were run entirely separately. Almost unheard of in these days of large open-plan noisy areas from which there is no escape.

What a pleasure to find that some pubs like The Smiths Arms at Brecon Hill, The Saltgrass at Sunderland , The Boathouse at Ryton and so on still have these traditional old cast iron fire stoves and ovens to give warmth and atmosphere in the winter months. Also the added peace and quiet where civilised conversation can be enjoyed. Super!

Well it looks like Cask Task has discovered another one. The Grey Horse at Consett.

The home of the New Consett Ale Works, the Grey Horse has 4 real ales of its own called Red Dust, White Hot, Cast Iron and Steel Town which got a satisfying tasting from us. There is always the addition of guest ales as the board above shows. As you can see from the photo, the stove was crackling away too. The young lady serving was also a welcome asset to this 150 year old pub.

The next door room is much the same in carpet and reasonably comfortable furniture.

An altogether enjoyable visit and one which is highly recommended by Cask Task.