Melton Constable, Beresford Road, Seaton Sluice. Whitley Bay, NE26 4DR. Tel:0191 2377741.

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The Melton Constable is set just off the main road through Seaton Sluice by the sea inlet.
With a conservatory at the rear giving a pleasant outlook, the old pub has a good atmosphere to it.

A really good selection of five real ales, two from Caledonian Brewery, the Red and the Mellow Yellow. The others were Ruddles Best, Wells Bomberdier and Deuchars IPA. I thoroughly enjoyed my pint of Caledonian Red and a pleasant chat with both of the barmaids.

A good pub, serving food too.

Astley Arms, Marine Drive, Seaton Sluice, Whitley Bay, Tyne and Wear, NE26 4JX. Tel:0191 2370057.

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The Astley Arms once, a long time ago, must have been a good pub. Before and during the 2nd World War, it must have had a loyal following.
There was a major naval base just up the coast at Blyth for a dozen submarines. All but 4 of them were lost or destroyed.
A bottle of Johnny Walker Red Label Whisky was left behind the bar by one of the submarine 'Seahorse' crew, to be collected on his return. This submariner, 'Tug' Wilson, was lost at sea along with the rest of the crew of 'Seahorse' in 1940, and the unopened bottle remains in a glass case in the Astley Arms in his, and all the other lost submariner's memory.
The two real ale pumps, Green King IPA and Black Sheep, are all that remain, in a what is virtually now a family canteen, rather than a pub.

BeeHive Inn, Hartley Lane, Earsdon, Whitley Bay, Tyne and Wear, NE25 0SZ. Tel:0191 2529352.

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The BeeHive Inn is on a quiet country lane between Earsdon and Old Hartley.

I must admit I've passed this Grade II listed pub and never given it a try, until this late, rain soaked, thursday afternoon. It had a reasonable selection of drinkers and mainly diners, even on this awful day, and it got busier as the afternoon continued. Obviously, the pub was doing something right!
Two real ales on in this little place and both in good health. Timothy Taylors Landlord and the Northumberland Brewery BeeHive Bitter.
Reluctantly, having to leave without sampling the food there, off I trundled, promising to return at some point for a meal.
The sooner the better.

Delavel Arms, Old Hartley, Whitley Bay, Tyne and Wear, NE26 4RL. Tel:0191 2370489.

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The Delavel Arms is a lovely old boozer on the northern outskirts of Whitley Bay.

The lads from Cavendish Kitchens used to have their Christmas do's here, in the side room, on the right as you go in. Good nights they were too. Unfortunately, for gronks like, me there are two stairs down to the bar. Don't let that put you off as it's a good atmosphere in there.

4 real ale pumps are in working order and one of my favourites, Mordues Workie Ticket, is generally one of them.

A good real ale pub.

The Beacon, Earsdon Road, Whitley Bay, Tyne & Wear, NE25 9PT. Tel:0191 2536931.

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The Beacon was introduced to me over 30 years ago by my accountant who lived in Whitley Bay, and I think still does.I was impressed then and even more so now.

Extremely comfortable and pleasantly decorated. The pub, from Cask Task's point of view, was enhanced by its array of real ales. Rudgate Brewerys Ruby Mild, Butcombes Traditional Bitter, Otter Brewerys Otter Ale, Ringwoods Forty Niner, Deuchars IPA and my choice for the day of Exmoors Fox. Very nice.

A fair number of diners in there suggests the food must be good too, but we'd certainly be back for the beer alone.
Smashing pub.

Monkseaton Arms, Front Street, Monkseaton, Whitley Bay, Tyne & Wear, NE25 8DP. Tel:0191 2513928.

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Cask Task found the Monkseaton Arms a bit of a disappointment.
Lacking in any kind of atmosphere this large pub offered a couple of Wylams beers but no life.

Ye Olde Ship Inn, Front Street, Monkseaton, Whitley Bay, Tyne & Wear, NE25 8DP. 0191 2513677

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As our intrepid gang's search continued through Tyne & Wear, up came Ye Olde Ship Inn at Monkseaton.

Expecting to be greeted by old sea dogs and the interior walls festooned with fishing memorabiliar, we entered. A comfortable and very pleasant old pub it turned out to be. The decor, however, bore no hint of its sea washed past, but the selection of real ales did make up for that.

Adnams Extra, Theakstons Bitter, Ruddles and Shepherd Neames Bishop Finger was the choice and a very good hour or so was spent there.

Not a bad real ale pub at all.

The Black Horse, 68 Front Street, Monkseaton, Whitley Bay, Tyne & Wear, NE25 8DP. Tel:0191 253 6931

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The Black Horse at Monkseaton is reputed to be a great real ale pub and I must admit to being impressed on first arriving. It's a warm, welcoming and comfortable place.
With four ales on offer I settled down to a nice pint from the Jarrow Rivet Catcher, the Durham Brewery's White Amarillo, Hadrian's Tyneside Blonde or my old favourite Courage Directors. My preference for the darker stuff pushed me for the Directors.
A bit of a disappointment though, as I think the Directors may have been a bit on the old side and was unrecognisable from its normal tasty self.

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!