Hog’s Head Inn
A silver-award winner in the recent North East England Tourism Awards, this pub and restaurant in Alnwick suitably named after the Hogsmeade pub from the wizarding world of 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 Tyne Bar
This quayside pub has been the centerpiece of Newcastle’s alternative pub scene since the mid 90’s, and one of the pioneers of helping to revolutionize the cultural scene of Ouseburn Valley. With an inspiring 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
With roots dating back a few centuries, and its original intention to see out its days as a farmstead, it was recently converted into a Northumbrian Inn, with a secret garden and conservatory for the sunnier months. 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.
The Kingslodge Inn
Although nestled in foliage and perked on the fringes of town, this restaurant in Durham 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.
Wylam Brewery
Gaining somewhat of a cult following due to the variety of events it hosts, ranging from ‘Battle of the Burger’ and ‘Celebration of Disco’, don’t let its name put you off – it isn’t the loud, pungent brewery you’re probably thinking of. 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.
Riley’s fish shack
Innovators of the aquatic culinary scene and appropriately positioned on Tynemouth’s Short Sands beach, the twin containers that make up Riley’s Fish Shack have heaped the praise of locals and out-of-towners for their innovative approach to non-street, street food. 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.
Seaton Lane Inn
The newly refurbished pub and restaurant located just a stones throw from Lord Byron’s Walk and just five minutes drive from the coast proves a great setting for dog-lovers to explore the cultural, historical surroundings of Seaham and Durham. It boasts some serious food credentials, including the Inn’s famous Sunday lunch Seaham a quirky, which can be enjoyed in their quirky, bohemian interior.
The Salt House Kitchen
Named after one of the city’s main industries in its long history, The Salt House Kitchen is a reflective mirror of the beach it sits opposite, where locals used to extract salt from the sea water and dissolve it in salt kitchens. 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!
