Back Down The Pub

Tag: Durham

  • Spennymoor #1 – May 2026

    Spennymoor #1 – May 2026

    Durham and Spennymoor formed the supporting cast for a long delayed visit to the Surtees Arms at Chilton Lane, near Ferryhill.

    Durham – Aperitif

    The Water House

    Area: North Road
    Style: Wallet Friendly
    Visit order: 1

    The Water House pub, North Road, Durham showing external features.

    An Amber Taverns pub close to the bus station that wasn’t too busy on this Friday afternoon. A tasty pint from the local Maxim Brewery to set the scene whilst waiting for the bus and the rest of today’s company.

    BreweryBeerABV
    Maxim BreweryDouble Maxim4.7%

    Spennymoor

    Frog & Ferret

    Area: By the Big Roundabout
    Style: Traditional
    Visit order: 2

    The extensive range of real ales on show at the Frog And Ferret Pub at Spennymoor, County Durham.

    A legend of a pub, and well worth the walk from the town centre. Seven cask pumps on the bar, six in operation, four sampled. Excellent value as well. This place is also well known for live music and the annual Frogfest. A real community asset.

    The inside of the Frog And Ferret pub in Spennymoor, County Durham with some charity raffle prizes in the foreground.
    BreweryBeerABV
    Bass BrewersBass Premium Ale4.4%
    Bowland BreweryHen Harrier4.0%
    Daleside BreweryMonkey Wrench5.3%
    Rudgate BreweryViking3.8%

    The Grand Electric Hall

    Area: Town Centre
    Style: Wetherspoons
    Visit order: 3

    The outside of the Grand Electric Hall Wetherspoons pub in Spennymoor, County Durham.

    In preparation for the ride over to the Surtees (and as The Little Tap wasn’t yet open), we took our food again at Spoons. They have a lot of beautiful old buildings in their portfolio. This isn’t one of them, but it’s bright and airy inside and served our purposes very well.

    The inside of the Grand Electric Hall Wetherspoons in Spennymoor County Durham showing large picture windows and the bright interior.
    BreweryBeerABV
    Erdinger WeissbräuErdinger Weißbier (bottle)5.3%

    The Little Tap

    Area: Town Centre
    Style: Micropub
    Visit order: 4

    A postcard style view of the outside of The Little Tap micropub in Spennymoor, County Durham.

    A lovely little micropub with a handful of tables and a warm welcome. The beers on offer here were all tempting, but there was only time for one today. Decision made and glass emptied, we took the Uber to today’s primary goal.

    Bar and seating inside The Little Tap micropub in Spennymoor, County Durham.
    BreweryBeerABV
    Hadrian Border BrewerySecret Kingdom4.3%

    Ferryhill/Chilton Lane

    Surtees Arms

    Area: S of Ferryhill, E of Chilton
    Style: Traditional (with a Brewery)
    Visit order: 5

    The Surtees Arms in Ferryhill, County Durham.

    Finally, we made it. Thankfully, the Surtees was every bit worth the wait. Out back sits the Yard of Ale brewery, making it almost compulsory to work through the house beers. Glad that we did, with the Consett ale providing a great cameo appearance.

    The bar at the Surtees Arms in Ferryhill, County Durham.
    BreweryBeerABV
    Yard Of Ale Brew Co.The Circus In Your Mind4.3%
    The Consett Ale WorksIronsand4.4%
    Yard Of Ale Brew Co.I Want To Believe4.4%
    Yard Of Ale Brew Co.One Foot In The Yard4.5%

    Durham – Digestiv

    The Station House

    Area: Under the Viaduct
    Style: Cosy Pub
    Visit order: 6

    Relaxing beneath the viaduct in familiar surroundings with a final trio of ales felt like a good way to finish the day. Beers well kept and served as ever.

    Cask ales pump clips at the servery of The Station House Pub in Durham City.
    BreweryBeerABV
    Wensleydale BreweryShoal2Shoal4.0%
    Two By Two BrewingNelson Citra Sabro5.0%
    Wensleydale BreweryFalconer3.9%
    Today’s Summary
    Total Pubs: 6
    Total Beers: 14
    Cask: 13
    Bottle: 1
    Strongest: 5.3%
    Mildest: 3.9%

    We’d wanted to get to the Surtees for a while and it absolutely justified the effort. Spennymoor once again delivered thanks to the Frog and the Little Tap, while Uber did a lot of heavy lifting where public transport probably couldn’t.

  • Newcastle #4 – May 2026

    Newcastle #4 – May 2026

    Not every trip is meant to be a blog post. This one certainly wasn’t. A simple run up to Newcastle to see a friend somehow turned into a day of very good beer thanks primarily to the Mosaic Tap, which proved good enough to warrant two visits on the same afternoon.

    The Outbound Leg

    The Waiting Room

    Area: Durham Station
    Style: Railway Snug
    Visit order: 1

    A familiar start at the Durham station bar, which is becoming something of a ritual for an aperitif. The cask ale was a familiar one, so I opted for a keg start to the day. This steeled me for the rammed train. Newcastle were at home.

    BreweryBeerABV
    Verdant Brewing CoLightbulb (Keg)4.5%

    Newcastle

    Mosaic Tap

    Area: Central Station, Pink Lane
    Style: “A vibrant & friendly craft beer and natural wine bar”
    Visit order: 2 & 5

    A busy Mosaic Bar on Pink Lane Newcastle with drinkers and bar staff

    The reason for today’s trip was to catch up with an old friend, but seeing as I was early, I popped into Mosaic for a quick one, or two as it turned out.

    The atmosphere on Pink Lane was great with all the football fans providing great energy. One of the advantages of Newcastle being a one club city is that everything is moving in the same direction, even for those not going to the match.

    Mosaic Tap is settling into its new location so well, you’d think it’d always been there. And it’s a lot more handy these days, being so close to Central Station.

    Three cask ale pumps on the bar at the Mosaic Tap Newcastle

    I was to return here following my catch-up whilst waiting for my train. In truth, I adjusted my train plans slightly so I could return for the two cask ales shown in the action shot above.

    BreweryBeerABV
    Blackjack Brew CoSix MPH Mild5.2%
    DEYA Brewing CompanyRue De Soda (Keg)4.0%
    LHG BrewpubFolded Page5.0%
    Otherworld BrewingKhaos4.0%

    The Actual Plan

    Barluga

    Area: Grey Street
    Style: Trendy with eats, is gastropub the word?
    Visit order: 3

    Barluga Grey Street Newcaslte from the mezzanine level showing people enjoying a drink

    A style that’s not usually my scene, but the building is beautiful and there is an extensive terrace out back. Very busy today, so, having failed to book, we had a limited time and no chance of food. There’s no cask ale, but I managed a decent keg brew anyway. Also an excellent Espresso Martini, but I guess that’s for a different blog.

    BreweryBeerABV
    WylamHickey The Rake (Keg)4.2%

    The Five Swans

    Area: Civic Centre
    Style: Wetherspoons
    Visit order: 4

    Newcastle Civic Centre through a window of the Five Swans Wetherspoons pub

    Without the food at Barluga, it fell to Spoons to pick up the slack. Reliable as ever for a meal deal and a couple of cask ales.

    BreweryBeerABV
    Erdinger WeissbräuErdinger Weißbier (Bottle)5.3%
    Coach House Brewing CoBlueberry Classic Bitter5.0%
    Hook Norton Brewery CoOld Hooky4.6%

    Durham – Full Circle

    The Station House

    Area: Durham, Under The Viaduct
    Style: Cosy Pub
    Visit order: Last Of The Day

    The cold room at The Station House Durham showing cask ales ready to dispense fine beers. The bar is in the foreground

    After an uneventful return leg, it felt right to have a quick refreshment at the Station House.

    BreweryBeerABV
    Almasty Brewing CoBest Bitter4.5%
    Today’s Summary
    Total Pubs: 5
    Total Beers: 10
    Cask: 6
    Keg: 3
    Bottle: 1
    Strongest: 5.3%
    Mildest: 4.0%

    What started as a straightforward trip turned into something a bit more rounded. A mix of the familiar and the new, with one bar in particular standing out enough to warrant a return visit within hours.

    Not a planned crawl, not a recommended tour — just a good day out that came together nicely, albeit with more walking than expected.

  • Durham #2 – March 2026

    Durham #2 – March 2026

    City Centre and Several Hills

    A sunny Durham afternoon, a few hills to climb, and a plan to visit some of the city’s finest pubs. What could be nicer?

    Mr Flynn’s (The Big Jug)

    Area: Claypath
    Style: Irish theme pub, recently reopened
    Visit order: 1

    External of Mr Flynn's Pub, formerly The Big Jug on Claypath, Durham

    Mr Flynn’s opened a month or so ago as an Irish themed bar.  It’s looking pretty good and is set up for live music.  The upright piano on the wee stage is a nice touch.  There’s going to be electronic darts upstairs soon.  I missed out on a real ale as the single pump wasn’t ready, but the next two on were Clwb Tropicana and Titanic Plum Porter.  Sounds good to me.  There is still evidence of the Big Jug in the décor and signage, a nice touch.  One to keep an eye on.

    Interior view of Mr Flynn's Pub, formerly The Big Jug showing stage, piano and speaker
    BreweryBeerABV
    BeavertownLunar Haze (Keg)4.5%

    The Victoria Inn

    Elvet and Hallgarth Street

    Area: Elvet
    Style: Traditional multi-roomed pub
    Visit order: 2

    The bar at the Victoria Inn on Hallgarth Street, Durham showing bar back, and beer pumps

    It’s a wee walk up the hill to the Victoria, but well worth it as you are greeted with several real ales and one of the most traditional interiors anywhere.  Three rooms, real fires and a beautiful bar back.  The fire was crackling away and the toasties being served looked, and smelled very tempting.  After enjoying a couple of beers (no toasties) here, it was an easier walk back to town.

    BreweryBeerABV
    Hadrian Border BreweryGrainger Ale4.6%
    Hadrian Border BreweryNorthern Pale4.1%

    Half Moon Inn

    Area: Elvet
    Style: Traditional pub
    Visit order: 3

    The curved back bar at The Half Moon Inn, Elvet, Durham

    A traditional city pub refurbished a few years back and always with well kept ales.  Lovely outside area as well with views of the river and Old Elvet Bridge.  Bit chilly out despite the sunshine so a snug location in the back bar for a nice Bass.  As they say, “Hard work takes it out of a man, Bass puts it back”.

    BreweryBeerABV
    Bass BrewersBass Premium Ale4.4%

    Back In The City Centre

    The Shakespeare Tavern

    Area: Bailey
    Style: Traditional
    Visit order: 4

    External of the Shakespeare Tavern on Saddler Street, Durham.

    Another real traditional location, a very small bar and an equally smalll back room.  All adds to the atmosphere.  There are three casks on, but the range can be a little limited.  That said, the Lightfoot was tasty enough to keep me going and the combination of locals and tourists sharing stories was a nice relaxing atmosphere.

    BreweryBeerABV
    TheakstonLightfoot4.1%

    Crossgate and the Viaduct

    Holy GrAle

    Area: Crossgate
    Style: Micropub
    Visit order: 5

    Exterior of the Holy GrAle Micropub on Crossgate, Durham with beer kegs in the foreground

    Another hill, Durham is full of them, this time up Crossgate.  Holy GrAle is a micropub with a great range of keg beers and up until recently, one cask.  Happy to report that this is now two casks.  Tried both, neither disappointed.  A lovely relaxed atmosphere and another place to happily lose an afternoon in (without repeating a beer).  But, the Elm Tree was calling from only a few yards away.

    BreweryBeerABV
    Allendale BreweryPennine Pale4.0%
    Two By Two BrewingIPA6.0%

    Ye Old Elm Tree

    Area: Crossgate
    Style: Traditional Pub with Outdoor Seating
    Visit order: 6

    The bar at Ye Old Elm Tree on Crossgate, Durham showing beer pumps and flags

    Another traditional venue, one that’s popular with both locals and students.  It was quieter than usual today as the students are on holiday although the locals kept things lively, plenty of laughter going round.  Quieter all round the town today.  Small city, large student population.  Both a positive and a negative.

    BreweryBeerABV
    Full Circle Brew CoMarmalade Mild3.9%

    The Station House

    Area: Viaduct
    Style: Award Winning Micropub
    Visit order: 7

    External view of the The Station House Pub and Pub sign in Durham

    Is it a micropub?  Or, a small pub.  No matter, it’s a great location with great beer (and cider).  I managed to grab a seat by the window and got chatting to a gent who moved to Durham in the 1970s and made it his home since then.  I reckon that’s long enough to count as a local.

    Durham railway viaduct from the Station House in Durham.
    BreweryBeerABV
    Fyne AlesNo Nonsense4.1%
    Cullercoats BreweryPolly Donkin4.2%
    Almasty Brewing Co.DDH Simcoe4.0%

    Sunderland Road, Gilesgate

    The Hop Knocker

    Area: Gilesgate
    Style: Micropub
    Visit order: 8 and last

    The Hop Knocker, Sunderland Road, Durham showing seating and fridges with a beer on the table in the foreground

    As it’s a mile or so up yet another hill, I decided to get the bus.  My plan was stymied by a road closure due to an Amazon delivery van and a police car having got a little intimate on Sunderland Road.  Bus diversion meant a bit more of a walk than expected.  At least the bus got me up the hill.  I stopped longer than anticipated in the Hop Knocker as the beer and conversation were both very good.

    BreweryBeerABV
    Darwin BreweryThree Rivers III4.3%
    Schneider WeisseHefeweissbier Naturtrüb (Keg)4.9%
    WylamBest (Keg)4.5%
    Twice Brewed Brewing Co.Dog On A Skateboard (Keg)0.5%
    Today’s Summary
    Total Pubs: 8
    Total Beers: 15
    Cask: 11
    Keg: 4
    Strongest: 6.0%
    Mildest: 0.5%

    A fair hike out today, tempered with a range of beers both traditional and modern.  Durham may be small, but it punches above its weight for beer and there are still venues left for another time.  And then there are the out-of-town locations which may need a bit more planning.

  • Durham #1 – February 2026

    Gilesgate To The Viaduct

    Some days call for the long haul. Others are better suited to a short wander and a handful of good pubs. Gilesgate offers a fine starting point for that sort of afternoon. A micropub, a couple of traditional locals and an easy walk to the city centre.

    This small crawl would end up becoming more than just a pleasant afternoon out. Somewhere along the route the thought occurred to me that these beers, places and pubs deserved writing down.

    The idea for this blog started to take shape here.

    Gilesgate. A Good Starting Point.

    The Hop Knocker

    Area: Gilesgate, Sunderland Road
    Style: Micropub
    Visit Order: 1

    Sampling the cask and a couple of kegs is always a treat, and today didn’t disappoint. This visit delivered both, plus a nostalgic Rohaus Märzen that, just for a moment, transported me straight back to the Black Forest.

    Bottle of Rothaus Märzen Beer at The Hop Knocker Durham
    BreweryBeerABV
    RothausMärzen (bottle)5.5%
    First & Last BreweryFallen Giant4.0%
    Spaten MünchenMünchner Hell (keg)5.2%
    To Øl#SIPA (keg)4.7%

    The Queens Head Hotel

    Area: Gilesgate, Sherburn Road Ends
    Style: Traditional/Sports Bar
    Visit Order: 2

    The Queens Head has been rebranded as more of a sports bar and this was my first visit since the change. Apart from the rather bright new exterior, the bar hasn’t changed too dramatically.

    No real ale here, but a serviceable Murphy’s did the job before moving on.

    BreweryBeerABV
    Heineken IrelandMurphy’s Irish Stout (keg)4.0%

    The Woodman Inn

    Area: Gilesgate (top of Claypath)
    Style: Traditional Pub with Beer Garden
    Visit Order: 3

    Great to see this place thriving. The Woodman usuallly keeps three real ales on the bar and it remains a dependable stop when walking down into town

    Two of them needed sampling, naturally.

    BreweryBeerABV
    The Consett Ale WorksRed Dust4.5%
    Timothy Taylor’s BreweryLandlord4.3%

    Into the City Centre

    From Gilesgate it’s a gentle stroll down Claypath (much easier than going up Claypath). Rhythm established. Short walk, pub, repeat.

    The Bishops’ Mill

    Area: Walkergate Development/Millennium Square
    Style: Wetherspoons
    Visit Order: 4

    Now the only Wetherspoons in Durham. As a Lloyd’s Bar it gets lively in the evenings. Time for a couple of brews before moving on.

    BreweryBeerABV
    Stewart BrewingKa Pai5.2%
    Hadrian Border BreweryTyneside Blonde3.9%

    The Station House

    Area: Under The Viaduct
    Style: Cosy pub
    Visit Order: 5 and last

    A real ale institution beneath the viaducy and a fitting place to finish. The Station House typically keeps five cask ales and rarely disappoints.

    What would Durham trip be without a visit here?

    BreweryBeerABV
    The Durham BreweryTotara3.9%
    GlassHouse Beer CoAltitude4.5%

    Map & Summary

    Today’s Summary
    Total Pubs: 5
    Total Beers: 11
    Cask: 7
    Keg: 3
    Bottle: 1
    Strongest: 5.5%
    Mildest: 3.9%

    A modest five-pub wander from Gilesgate into the city centre, but an enjoyable one. More importantly, it was somewhere between the first pint and the last that the idea emerged: to keep and share a record of these pub trips.

    Every crawl has to start somewhere.

    This one happened to start a blog as well.