The Bowes Hotel, Bardon Mill, Hexham, NE7 7HU. Tel:01434 344237

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The Bowes Hotel was stumbled upon by Cask Task while looking for the Twice Brewed pub.

We called in The Bowes to find that, unexpectedly, two hand pubs were to be had there. Jennings Tom Fool and Wylams Gold. So we had a pint.

As it happened the barman was a bundle of knowledge on real ale pubs in the area. So, not only did we enjoy a decent drink, but we gained our route plan for the day.

Thirst temporarely quenched, off we went.

The Havelock, Bonemill Lane, Washington, Tyne & Wear, NE38 8AJ. Tel:0191 4159739.

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The Havelock came to me by chance on a beautiful summer's day while motoring through Fatfield.
I parked up and ordered a pint of Workie Ticket and a sandwich and I'm pleased to say both were Ist class. There were only two real ales on but the Mordues was excellent. So good in fact I came back the next day to sample it again.

Good service, good food, good beer. A smashing pub.

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 Bay Horse, 28 West Green, Heighington Village, Newton Aycliffe, Co Durham, DL5 6PE. Tel: 01325 312312.

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The Bay Horse was not the pub I was looking for when I came to the picturesque village of Heightington, but what a pleasant surprise this one was. A comfortable and welcoming atmosphere and a grand selection of real ales to choose from.

Hobgoblin, Copper Dragon, Marstons Pedigree, Black Sheep, Camerons Strongarm and Timothy Taylors Landlord all on tap. Marvelous.

Ist class village pub with good beer.

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.

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.