The Feathers Inn, Hedley On The Hill, Stocksfield, Northumberland, NE43 7SW. Tel:01661 843607.

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What a smashing old pub The Feathers Inn turned out to be. Having missed it, for one reason or another, were we pleased to find it at last, in the little village of Hedley On The Hill, and I can't wait to go back for something to eat.
A cheery welcome, from Pip behind the bar, lead us to sample the locally brewed Hexhamshire Devils Water from the choice of 4 real ales. Smashing.
The others were, Mordues Workie Ticket, Wylams Magic, and Cumberland Brewerys Corby Ale.
Unfortunately, pushed for time, Cask Task had to be dragged off home, but not for long I hope.

The Forum. 8/9 Market Place, Hexham, Northumberland, NE46 1XF. Tel:01434 609190,

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The Forum, incorporating a Wetherspoons pub and, upstairs, a cinema!
Walk in and the place is surprisingly large with stairs down to a further part eating/drinking area. A bit soulless, but typical Witherspoons, the beer choice is good and reasonably cheap.
Not to my liking as a watering hole, but as usual the pub was reasonably busy and the staff friendly.
The real ale was the ridiculously cheap Ruddles Best, Allendales Wolf, Wylams Angel, Greene Kings Abbot Ale and my choice for the visit, the very tasty Saddlers Stumbling Badger.

The Lonsdale, Lonsdale Terrace, Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne, Tyne &Wear, NE2 3HQ. Tel:0191 2810039.

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The Lonsdale has a huge drop down screen, presumably to show the football, and a huge amount of scaffolding to the left hand side, presumably to keep the wall up. A quick pint of Black Sheep, which I had, or the Deuchars IPA, was called for. Afraid I may sneeze and bring the place down around our ears, we made a quick exit for the West Jesmond metro station, just across the road.

The Punch Bowl, 125 Jesmond Road, Newcastle Upon Tyne. NE2 1JY. Tel:0191 2818285.

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The Pun h Bowl, as it says over door, although I'm certain we were going into the Punch Bowl, looks decidedly run down from the outside but does its best on the inside.

With two real ales, Deuchars IPA and an anonymous Hydes Over The Barrel pint on sale, we had our sup and moved on.

Blue Bell, Jesmond Vale, Newcastle Upon Tyne. NE2 1PH. Tel:0191 2321774.

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The Blue Bell is a lovely old pub tucked away down in Jesmond Vale. Unfortunately in the shadow of one of those awful 60/70's tower blocks.
The Blue Bell does its best with an attractive outside seating area and a very friendly and comfortable interior. The food wasn't bad either.
The real ale on offer was Deuchars IPA and Abbot Ale.
Enjoyed an overcast hour or so there. Very nice.

The Newton Park, Benton Road, Longbenton, Newcastle Upon Tyne, Tyne & Wear. NE7 7EB. Tel:0191 2662010.

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The Newton Park is a huge pub which majors strongly on reasonable food selection and a friendly, comfortable atmosphere.
The real ale choice was Old Speckled Hen, Abbot Ale, and Green King IPA. With a long and arduous day in front of us, I sampled the IPA before moving on.

The Sun Inn, Dene View, Main Street, Acomb, Hexham, Northumberland. NE46 4PW. Tel: 01434 602934,

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Just happened to be passing Acomb so we called in to The Sun Inn.
Although a pleasant enough and friendly pub, there was only the token single real ale Black Sheep on offer, so we had one. For the enthusiast though, the Miners Arms, a few yards further up the street, appears to offer a greater choice. Unfortunately it was closed during the day so we missed out.