Warkworth

 

The ancient fortified village of Warkworth is situated in a loop of the River Coquet, about 1 mile from the Northumberland coast. Warkworth has been described as a jewel in the Northumberland crown, and with its massive medieval keep, Norman bridge, church and riverside hermitage it is hard to disagree. But from my perspective, it is the three great pubs and two hotel bars that make the village irresistible. The view from the castle towards The Hermitage Inn, The Masons Arms and The Black Bull is undoubtedly one of the most wonderful in England.

The Black Bull. Excellent beer from the Wylam brewery, and if you are hungry, there are toasted sandwich crisps, nuts & pickled eggs. One of my favourite pubs with a coal fire in winter.

A sign outside the Black Bull. It says it all, really.

The Masons Arms and Dial Place

The Hermitage Inn. A full range of Jennings Ales, all well-kept. I can recommend the food, too. Although there is very little crime in Northumberland, if you look at the photograph closely, you can see a chap trying to pinch a pair of stepladders even while the landlord is using them!

The beer cellar in Warkworth castle (the sign is a bit of a giveaway).I can well imagine that Harry Hotspur enjoyed a pint or two down there.

Directly opposite the castle, The Sun Inn, a seventeenth-century coaching inn, offers accommodation and well-kept real ale.

The Hermitage Inn and The Black Bull

The Mason’s Arms, where I’ve had more than one pint of Deuchars and a drop or two of Charlie Wells.

Frank, Sylvia, Vicky, John, Guinness the Dog and Pam. It proved difficult to take this photograph, as they were all very keen to get to the pub.

I thought I’d better include one view of the castle