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BUY ME A PINT
If you enjoy reading please consider “buying me a pint”, this will help to cover my hosting and image hosting and help to ensure further trips can go ahead!
BUY ME A PINT
A Saturday out along the railway line from Hexham to Newcastle which forms part of the “Hadrian’s Wall Line” from Carlisle to Newcastle, which follows the route of Hadrian’s Wall (even though the remains are not visible from the train). Calls into several places on the route including Hexham, Corbridge, Prudhoe, Wylam and Blaydon. I have included at least one call per stop on the train whether it be Micropub, Pub or Brewery.
Hexham – Platform Bar
The first call of the day was to Hexham. A market town which holds a lot of history with the Vikings and being where the first purpose built prison in England was. My visit here was to the “Platform Bar” located on Hexham Train Station. A small one roomed bar which caters for both drinkers and passengers serving a variety of food and hot drinks alongside the bar.
A choice of 3 real ales available on the bar here today, alongside a still cider. All 3 real ales were from local breweries. I started with “North Sea Bitter” from Gateshead based Great North Eastern Brewing Company, a great tasting traditional bitter. I followed with “Tormit Heed” from Blaydon based Firebrick Brewery (see Blaydon entry further down). A tasty red ale.
Corbridge – Pele
A short journey on the train heading back towards Newcastle, getting off at Corbridge. Corbridge is famous for being the home of one of the most important archaeological discoveries. The famous Corbridge Hoard, a collection of well-preserved Roman objects that were discovered in a 2000-year-old chest in 1962 is now on display at the Corbridge Roman Site Museum.
My first call here is to “Pele”. Located next to Corbridge Parish Church, this Micropub is converted from the historic Pele Tower which was built for the vicar of Corbridge. It is spread over 3 floors which a stone staircase leading up to both floors (the highest floor being a balcony around the floor below). A beautiful transformation of this historic building. A lovely small beer garden outside as well.
A choice of 2 real ales on the bar from Northumberland based The First & Last Brewery, alongside a huge range of bottles from a number of local breweries. I went with “Equinox” from The First & Lats Brewery, a tasty sessionable pale ale.
Corbridge – Angel of Corbridge
My second call in Corbridge is to the “Angel of Corbridge”. This was a former coaching house dating back to 1859. A popular pub for eating and drinking alike with seating both inside and outside and is located at the top of the hill I walked up from the Train Station.
A selection of 5 cask ales on the bar in here, all from Northumberland or Newcastle based breweries. I went with “Call Out”, another beer from The First & Last Brewery, a tasty session pale ale which was brewed to raise money for Mountain Rescue.
Prudhoe – Wor Local
Another short jump on the train a few stops, this time getting off at Prudhoe. This is famous for Prudhoe Castle, which is now managed by English Heritage. This castle is unique in being the only medieval defensive fortification in the whole of Northumbria, to avoid capture from the Scots.
A fair 15 minute uphill walk here, very steep into town. The end makes it worth it, with my call here being to “Wor Local”. A Micropub which has been converted from a former computer games shop. The name “Wor Local” (if you’re not a Geordie), translates to “Our Local”. An amazing warm welcome in here and a beautifully laid out micropub, with a small seat available for sitting outside at the front as well. Love the pump clips on the ceiling aswell.
A selection of 3 cask ales on the bar , alongside a great selection of real ciders amongst other drinks. I started with “Wall Walker” from Hexham based Hexhamshire Brewery, a refreshing pale ale utilising 3 different hops. I went onto “Metro” from Great North Eastern Brewing Co, a fruity and light West Coast Pale ale with flavours of Pineapple and Exotic Fruit,
The walk back down the station is a lot easier with it being downhill.
Wylam – The Boathouse
My next call is to Wylam. Wylam is well known as being the birthplace of George Stephenson (Father of the Railway). The Wylam Waggonway is located next to the train station, this runs past the white miners cottage when George Stephenson was born. A really interesting signal box at the railway station as well which spans the line (shown below).
My call here is the opposite side of the station is “The Boathouse”. A well known two roomed pub with lots of outdoor space, and a lovely real fire inside. Very popular with people doing a few pubs along the line with it being so close to the station. Has won a large number of CAMRA awards over the years. Food wise, a nice selection of sandwiches and toasties are served during the day.
A great selection of both beers and ciders on here. 8 Real Ales on the bar this evening, alongside a wide choice of still ciders and a few keg beer options. I went with “Northumberland County IPA” from Hexham based Hexhamshire Brewery. A tasty IPA full of flavour.
Blaydon – The Yard Micropub
Another short jump on the train for the last call of the evening (although I have included another visit from this station as fits in well if starting from this end rather than Hexham). Blaydon itself is known for “Blaydon Races”. The original Blaydon Races (a Geordie Folk Song) was a horse race, immortalised in George ‘Geordie’ Ridley’s now famous song from 1862 ‘The Blaydon Races’, which sang about the route the revellers took from Newcastle to Blaydon.
My first visit here is to a quirky and unusual Micropub called “The Yard”, located between 2 shops and down a set of stairs, and spread over a few basement rooms. Lots of unusual memorabilia and antiques amongst other items dotted around the place and on the walls. Even a table made out of an old sewing machine. A great outdoor space to the rear, great for enjoying the sun during the day.
A choice of 3 real ales, alongside a number of both cider and keg options. Decided to go with a Bitter from Newcastle based Hadrian Border Brewery. “As You Were”, a very easy drinking and tasty traditional bitter.
Blaydon – Firebrick Brewery
Another call here (which I visited on Tuesday but included here for completion), is a short walk to “Firebrick Brewery”. This brewery started in 2013. From their website “Firebrick Brewery is on Cowen Road, which is named after Joseph Cowen Junior, MP for Newcastle in the late 19th Century; he was quite a character and a global political figure in his time. His father Joseph Cowen Senior was also an MP and was knighted for his work on the Tyne Commission, improving that river for industrial shipping. Their Blaydon brickworks exported Firebricks around the world”.
A really welcoming place which houses the brewery in the units to the left, with the taproom and shop on the right. Thankyou for the walk around the brewery setup, where they were brewing on the day, and a new canning line which replaces their bottling method. A really nice setup and a great group of people running this.
A great line up of beers available here with there being 4 cask beers and 4 keg beers, all ranging in styles and strengths. Alongside a large selection of all their beers in cans to drink in or takeaway. I started with “Pagan Queen” a delicious Blonde Ale, followed by “Stella Spark” an American IPA, “Toon Broon” a Brown Ale and finishing with “Propa Belta”, a tasty Session Pale Ale.
Newcastle Grainger Market – Firebrick Brewery
If you’re in the centre of Newcastle, drop into Grainger Market where Firebrick Brewery have a shop and bar. Here they sell their full range of cans alongside 4 keg lines to drink in. Well worth a trip in if you are nearby.
Micropub Adventures 