Exploring Northumberland will be an experience like no other, with jaw-dropping landscapes and beautiful coastal villages to match. Dog-lovers fear not, we have collated a short list of cafes, restaurants and listed manor houses to relax and enjoy some quality time with loved ones and furry friends, for the perfect staycation or days out.
Seaton Lane Inn
For dog friendly pubs in Seaham, this venue is a five-minute drive from the coast, and allows for both adventures and relaxation. It boasts some serious food credentials, including the Inn’s famous Sunday dinners, a quirky, which can be enjoyed in their quirky, bohemian interior.
Wylam Brewery
This an up-and-coming venue that you need to have on your list and visit at some point, as it offers an array of events that will always keep you entertained. With the dome-topped Grand Hall allowing streams of natural light in shining down on the many ale taps Wylam is locally known for, to the numerous street food vans lining the outer perimeter, not to mention the beautiful moat-like lake that sits just in front of the entrance to the yeasty keep.
Hog’s Head Inn
If you’re looking for a spectacular location to relax, the Hog’s Head Inn should be on the card. As a silver-award winner in the recent North East England Tourism Awards, this pub and restaurant in Alnwick appropriately named after the Hogsmeade pub from Harry Potter, is a perfect place to reside whilst you explore everything the town has to offer, including the nearby Alnwick Castle Gardens or the town square. With 53 spacious en-suite bedrooms couples, families and well behaved pooches to explore England’s most northern National Park.
The Kingslodge Inn
If you’re looking for true escapism with a fairytale-esque look, then you’ll not be disappointed with this next pick. This Durham bed and breakfast is still very much within the confines of the flaneur-esque sleepy streets of the city centre. The semi-concealed retreat allows dogs and their owners to saunter back and enjoy a night’s rest after a day of exploring the nearby UNESCO World Heritage Site of Durham Cathedral and Castle. Serving up homely but restaurant standard pub grub, with an impressive selection of local ales and wines for the connoisseurs out there.
Beamish
For anyone who lives outside of the region and wants to indulge in some history, the open-air Beamish Museum is a favourite among locals and tourists alike. A fictional yet functioning town, with a pub, sweet shop and bakery amongst others, visitors and their pets can experience first-hand what life was like in the North East over a hundred years ago.
The Tyne Bar
Situated on the edge of Ouseburn Valley, this quirky pub is the ultimate getaway for you, your friends, and pooch. With an impressive selection of beers, local ales and spirits, it’s a great place to sit amongst the laidback atmosphere and watch the sunset over the river with their free live music events on a Friday blasting out from under the bridge.
The Battlesteads
If you’re visiting Northumberland in the summer, this cottage-styled offers both a secret garden and a conservatory for you to relax in. Flying the flag for the greenest hotel in Northumberland, being the first hotel to install a carbon neutral heating system. Nestled in the sleepy village of Wark, this is a great location to explore the surrounding Hadrian’s Wall area.
Riley’s fish shack
If you’re looking for a place that is a little out of the box, then Riley’s Fish Shack is two shipping containers and always makes for a good time. The shack is busy all year round, even in winter, with the help of blankets and heaters, with a canopy sheltering from the rain. Descending the steps from the road, the mouth-watering smell of seared sea food grilled in the big wood-fire oven.
Eshott Hall
For an exquisite venue ranked as the UK Holiday Destination of the Year in 2017, then this place should be on the cards. Eshott Hall fits neatly within the themes of nature and heritage, concealed behind trees and claimed by ivy. The manor house has maintained its Grade II Listed status with its professionalism and grandeur hospitality, where dog owners can bring along their furry loved ones to meander the grounds.
Barter books
You may have seen Barter Books all over Instagram, but it offers much more than just a picture. A roaring fire in the winter, a homely café churning out all the seasonal goods from paninis to the nations favourite sausage and mash, as well as a perpetual pot of coffee brewing in the foyer. Dog’s can wander freely between the aisles curiously sniffing the pungent aromas from the first editions of the 19th century onwards, whilst their owners debate which of Hemingway’s poems was his best.
The Salt House Kitchen
Standing just across from the beach, there’s a lot that you need to know about The Salt House Kitchen. Locals once extracted salt from the sea water and dissolved it here, hence its name! Its canine enthusiasm is so prominent that they’ve even conjured up a menu just for dogs, so their pleading eyes and whimpers will not be in vain. Their outdoor area is designated solely for dogs, so best to bring a jacket in the colder months, as the open sea air can get quite nippy!
The Commissioners Quay Inn
If you love sitting by the quay, looking at the boats come and go, then this place is guaranteed to make you smile. With beautiful views of the marina and out towards the sea, you can wake up to the sound of the morning waves from your own personal balcony. If you’re looking to explore the town of Blyth, the Inn allows easy access to all local shops and pubs, despite itself being on the edge of the town’s perimeter.