Find some of the best places to
eat in Northumberland this
winter with our list of ten cosy
cafes, festive
restaurants, snug
pubs and
Christmas markets. Whether you are looking for indulgent comfort food, a delicious
Christmas fayre menu, somewhere for a work's Christmas dinner or a family celebration, Northumberland can cater for all of your Noel needs:
Battlesteads
Located in the picturesque village of Wark, there’s something for everyone at
Battlesteads Hotel and Restaurant. Eco warrior? Their seasonal menu uses only fresh ingredients grown on site or sourced from
local artisan producers within a 25-mile radius.
Craft ale connoisseur? Battlesteads bar stocks four cask ales including two from local micro-breweries and they host an annual beer festival.
Top tip: By night, combine dinner and a star-studded show thanks to their
on-site observatory, one of Northumberland’s prime
Dark Sky Discovery sites.
Bertram's Cafe and Restaurant
Bertram’s is an incredibly cosy cafe and restaurant with stone interiors, crackling log burners and wine fridges characterising its interior, making it the perfect spot for a cosy winter evening. Start your day here with a hearty breakfast, frothy coffee and freshly baked treat from the counter, or end your day with a mouthwatering evening meal and glass of red wine by the fire.
Top tip - Bertram’s is also a
hotel, so extend your stay and book a getaway in one of their charming,
dog-friendly rooms. Bertram’s is just moments away from
Warkworth Castle and Northumberland’s incredible
coast.
The Lord Crewe Arms
The Lord Crewe Arms is a gem of a spot in the tiny, picture perfect
village of
Blanchland. This historic
inn dates back to the 12th century, so think medieval interiors, cande-lit tables, rustic stone walls and overall the ultimate
cosy spot to warm up this winter. Priding themselves on their local produce and inspiration taken from the surrounding landscape, their menu is irresistible.
Top tip - You can also
stay at
The Lord Crewe Arms and we highly recommend it. Tucked away amidst the
North Pennine Moors,
hiking and
cycling opportunities are endless and, if the weather won’t allow it, there are few places more atmospheric to cosy up by the fire with a drink.
The Pheasant Inn
It doesn’t get much more festive than
The Pheasant Inn,
Kielder. Always playing to the
seasons, the pub front is adorned with red and orange ivy in the
autumn and its interior of crimson walls, tartan carpets underfoot and rustic wooden beams overhead make this an incredibly festive spot in the winter. Enjoy a delectable dinner by the open fire here and taste fresh herbs and fruits, grown on-site, throughout the menu.
Top tip - Stay overnight here in one of their beautiful guest rooms and wake up to fantastic, hearty breakfasts and the incredible landscapes of
Kielder on your doorstep.
The Highlander
The Highlander sits between the picturesque town of Ponteland and the beautiful rural village of Belsay, and is family-run gastropub offering a relaxed dining experience, warm Northumbrian welcome and, of course, fantastic food! Their winter menu is complete with hearty winter warmers from traditional turkey roasts to soft braised belly pork.
Top tip - Belsay Hall is nearby and is well worth a visit while you're in the area.
The Potted Lobster
If you’re a
seafood lover, you mustn’t miss out on a trip to
The Potted Lobster when you’re in Northumberland. Based on one of the most beautiful highstreets in the country in
Bamburgh, with
Bamburgh Castle just a few minutes’ walk away, it couldn’t be more perfectly located on this pristine section of
Northumberland coastline. Serving fresh, local catches, their menu is exquisite and the beautiful interior offers a relaxed yet elegant experience.
Top tip - Here you are in one of the most famous spots in Northumberland, so don’t forget to visit Bamburgh Castle,
Holy Island and
The Farne Islands while you’re here.
The Old Rectory and Kirkstyle Inn
Believed to date back as far as the 17th century, The Old Rectory still holds some of its original architecture and its interior takes inspiration from the history of the building. As well as offering rooms, you can enjoy evening dining here from Wednesday - Sunday and enjoy ingredients sourced by the inn’s surrounding farms and landscape. Another restaurant with an open fire, you can cosy up in an armchair by the fire here and escape the winter chill.
Top tip - This is another spot that offers beautiful bedrooms with incredible views and elegant decor, so don’t hesitate to book your stay.
Sonnet Restaurant
A relatively new addition to Northumberland,
Sonnet in
Alnwick is definitely fit for a special occasion. They serve a 14-course tasting menu focused on the highest possible quality, and take great pride in hand-picking their small but diverse collection of wines to compliment it. Based in the heart of Alwick, where you are surrounded by independent shops, we recommend you pair your visit with a Christmas
shopping day.
Top tip - While you’re here, download the
Visit Northumberland app to redeem exclusive
offers in Alnwick town centre.
The Inn Collection Group
Wherever you are in Northumberland, you can rely on the Inn Collection Group to provide a warm and welcoming retreat from the cold winter weather.
The Amble Inn is the newest addition to the Inn Collection Group’s Northumberland inns and has a contemporary feel, blending rustic brick and wood beams with quirky floral wallpaper and upholstery to create a welcoming atmosphere.
Top tip: The Inn Collection group have three more inns across Northumberland:
The Lindisfarne Inn (Beal, near Holy Island),
The Hog’s Head Inn (Alnwick) and
The Commissioners Quay Inn (
Blyth). You’ll find a fantastic array of light bites and hearty meals at them all.
Bosk Restaurant
The Bosk Restaurant is a restaurant and wine bar with panoramic views of the Breamish Valley that lure visitors in at any time of year. Open from Wednesday to Sunday, they have a fantastic daily menu and an extremely popular Sunday lunch (we recommend booking ahead!). With an impressive wine list, selection of gins and more, this is a great spot to catch up with family and friends while enjoying the frosty rural landscape outside.
Top-tip: The Bosk is only open from late afternoon until 10pm Wednesday-Saturday and 9am-1pm on a Sunday, so be sure to plan ahead if you’re keen to visit. Stay at attached
Breamish Valley Cottages to enjoy stunning accommodation and an
on-site spa.
We hope we've given you enough inspiration to fill your boots in Northumberland this winter. Don't forget to tag us in your festive foodie delights on social media using @visitnorthumberland.
Author: Jenni Meikle