Find some of the best places to eat in Northumberland this winter with our 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.
By day, Battlesteads sits in the heart of rural Northumberland, making it a cosy pitstop at the end of a long winter walk on
Hadrian’s Wall or a bike ride through
Kielder Water and Forest Park. By night, combine dinner and a star-studded show thanks to their
on-site observatory, one of Northumberland’s prime Dark Sky Discovery sites.
Top tip: You can
stargaze at any time of the year in Northumberland due to our low levels of light pollution, but cooler temperatures and darker skies means it is a fantastic winter activity.
Barrasford Arms
If you’re in the mood to indulge a sophisticated palate this winter, look no further than the
Barrasford Arms. Nestled in the heart of Hadrian’s Wall country, this picturesque country pub offers a menu fit for an Emperor.
Before taking over the Barrasford in 2017, owner Michael worked in top kitchens across the North East and Scotland, earning his stripes as executive head chef at Slaley Hall and Malmaison Hotel in Dundee. This wealth of experience shines through in the elegant menu of this AA Rosette restaurant.
Top tip: Pre-booking a table is essential.
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.
Making the most of its harbourside location in
Seahouses, a quick look out of the dining room of the
Bamburgh Castle Inn is all you need to see where its name came from. Whether you’re in need of a hearty meal after a boat tour around the
Farne Islands or you’ve been for a ramble down the Northumberland Coast AONB, this cosy pub and restaurant has laid-back atmosphere and a menu full of favourites to suit all members of the family.
Located in the eponymous fishing village of
Amble,
The Amble Inn is the newest addition to the Inn Collection Group’s inns. The restaurant and bar has a contemporary feel, blending rustic brick and wood beams with quirky floral wallpaper and upholstery to create a welcoming atmosphere for both couples and families alike. The perfect spot to chill out after a day out at
Warkworth Castle or the nearby
Hauxley Nature Reserve at Druridge Bay.
See
The Amble Inn - Christmas menu.
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.
The Drift Cafe
There’s nothing quite like a blustery beach walk to blow away the cobwebs and where better than along the pristine sands of
Druridge Bay? This seven mile stretch of unspoilt coastline includes several nature reserves and three miles of uninterrupted beach fringed by tall dunes just waiting for you to run (or roll) down.
Just a hop and skip over the dunes near Cresswell is where you’ll find the
Drift Cafe. This bright and airy cafe is famous for its menu full of homemade tasty treats, freshly-prepared with each order. From delicious cakes to hot pies, bowls of hearty soup and jacket potatoes, it’s the perfect retreat at the end of a wintery day out at Druridge Bay.
Believe us when we say the Drift is just as much a favourite Northumbrian residents as it is with visitors - you know a place is good when the locals can’t get enough. Our fave? The corned beef and brown sauce toastie. Trust us, it’s heaven.
Top tip: Be sure to browse the array of art, bric-a-brac and secondhand books found around the cafe. It is a treasure trove of local history and mining memorabilia.
Bosk Restaurant
This brand new restaurant and wine bar in the heart of the
Breamish Valley is quickly becoming the place to be. Their Sunday Brunch menu is regularly a sell-out event.
Thanks to their themed nights - Family Feast on Wednesday, Steak Night on Thursday, Pizza Night on Friday and Supper Club on Saturday -
The Bosk really does cater for everyone. What makes The Bosk special is the way it centres everything around one common goal: bringing people together.
The gable end of the building is one giant window, making the most of their breathtaking surroundings. Where better to watch the winter sky darken and the stars come out as you enjoy a get together with friends?
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.
Foxton’s Wine Bar
You can’t visit Northumberland without sampling some delicious
seafood caught off the North Sea coast.
Foxton’s Wine Bar and Restaurant in
Berwick-upon-Tweed is the only seafood restaurant in the town and works closely with fish merchants just over the border in Eyemouth to source the freshest ingredients for their menu. But never fear if you’re not a sea-foodie, you’ll find plenty of tasty morsels to take your fancy including five gourmet burgers named after landmarks in and around Berwick - ‘Tommy the Miller’ is a great veggie option.
Top-tip: Book ahead and try their bottomless Prosecco and Brunch, available six days a week excluding Sunday. You won’t regret it!
The Angel of Corbridge
When exploring Hadrian’s Wall country, you can rely on three things: epic scenery, ancient history and really good grub! At the
Angel of Corbridge, you can experience all three at once.
Sitting in a prime spot in the centre of picturesque
Corbridge and dating back to 1569, the Angel is said to be one of the oldest inns still standing in Northumberland. In winter, you can expect a roaring fire waiting for you in the cosy oak-panelled lounge and a menu fit to burst with hearty British pub grub like ham hock terrine with ‘proper’ pease pudding. Delicious!
Just a short walk from Corbridge Roman Town, one of several Roman heritage sites along Hadrian’s Wall. Great for walkers, cyclists, families and even our four-legged friends.
Top-tip: Just popping in for a casual drink? Dogs are not permitted in the bar area of The Angel of Corbridge, but you’ll find fire pits and covered gazebos outside to keep you and your four legged friends cosy in any weather.
Sanderson Arcade market
Staying in is the new going out and at
Sanderson Arcade, Morpeth's Street Food Market, you’ll find lots of local produce to make a tasty tea at home. How about bangers and mash courtesy of regular traders Geordie Bangers and Julian’s Fruit and Veg? And for those with a sweeter tooth, you can’t beat the cakes from Murphy’s Kitchen.
Before you go, take a wander through Sanderson Arcade for a spot of retail therapy. Bookworms can browse to their heart’s content in Waterstone’s, sartorialists have a range of choice from Sandersons Boutique to Mint Velvet and be prepared to lose dad for a while in Mountain Warehouse. You can even pick up a tipple or two at Morpeth Gin or Enjoy Beer & More and you’re ready for the perfect night in.
Date for the diary: Saturday 18th December
Christmas markets
Nothing beats a stroll through a
Christmas market. Throughout December you’ll find markets across Northumberland, perfect for stocking up on gifts from local businesses. Treat yourself to a mulled wine, artisan coffee or street food while you browse to really ramp up that Christmassy feeling. Roasted chestnuts, anyone?
Each weekend, make a beeline for our market towns to soak up their historic charm as you find the perfect present for that special someone.
Berwick sees the welcome return of the Christmas Market on Marygate. Santa will be in attendance for the mini members of the family and there will be hot mulled wine stalls for mums and dads.
Fancy something a bit different this year? Farplace Animal Rescue is bringing a vegan Christmas market to
Morpeth. Pop along to peruse food, drink and gifts from over 25 vegan stalls, and follow your nose to find mouthwatering Caribbean vegan street food courtesy of Brownin’s.
Even our four-legged friends can join in the festivities thanks to the dog-friendly
Northumberlandia Christmas Food and Craft Market. After your shop, beat the chill with a walk around our Lady of the North then finish off with a hot chocolate or two in the visitor centre.
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