A DAY IN ALNWICK

About 4 times a year a group of us, under duress, travel to a local town and partake of a pub crawl. We had been discussing Alnwick, Northumberland for some time. It was always about the getting there. The nearest station is Alnmouth, which is not in Alnmouth and 15 minutes from Alnwick. The trouble was the connection times between train and bus were never coordinated. An executive decision was made to get the bus, a 1 hour 20 minute ride. 

So after a customary breakfast in a Newcastle Wetherspoons ( Five Swans), we all piled onto the bus and sat upstairs at the back like a group of schoolkids.

Now, most of the pubs in Alnwick open at noon. One exception is The Fleece which opens half an hour before the rest. There was a bus stop nearby so it seemed logical to start there. Encouraged by the Cask Marque sign on the wall outside, the pub didn’t disappoint. I had a great pint of Credance Pale  Ale  from  one of the many microbreweries that keep springing up in Northumberland. 

So after a pint and a chat it was round the corner and up a slight hill to the Tanners Arms. This would turn out to be my favourite pub of the day, if only for its sheer quirkiness.

From a distance the pub looked like a large corner house and inside you are met with a small bar counter on the left looking out into a single room. Each table had gold plated legs and in the centre of the room was this strange plant sculpture . 

The toilets are worth a mention. They are entered through two green sliding doors,  for gents and ladies. The gent’s door has a weight attached which returns the door automatically once you are in. Unfortunately there is another door that opens the wrong way into the tiny space behind ; anyone of XL or above struggled.  Once inside there are 3 urinals, with a tight space behind when you are standing doing the business. I would strongly advise if visiting to carry out a risk assessment before entering.

While we were there  one of the beers ran out. Now you have to imagine, behind the bar to the left was a dark opening covered in a black plastic curtain flap. To the right was a long curtain presumably covering a doorway? The barmaid disappeared through the left hand opening into the blackness behind . It looked all the world like she had just entered a ghost train. We were waiting for her to appear, covered in cobwebs,  through the other curtain.

You had to be there.

After some more cracking beers, some from the Scottish Borders ( eg Tempest) it was off to our next on the list,  the John Bull. This award winning pub is a typical back street local with fine beers and a large blackboard listing many international ales . The listed closing time of the pub was 3pm but mine host was not going to throw us thirsty 8 punters out, especially as a couple started on the G&T’s .

I think we left at 4 (?)
 

Taking a shortcut pointed out by a friendly local, we homed in on the Market Tavern.  Despite being family run they play safe with the beers; namely two from Black Sheep and Old Golden Hen. Nothing wrong with the beer quality mind.

One of the discussions we had before the day was getting back. As I have stated , the journey back by bus would be 1 hour 20 minutes. Some concern was expressed about holding it in for that length of time after 6 plus pints. I played safe and took an empty jar, but didn’t need it. Just as well as too many CCTV cameras on the upper deck. So, conscious of the time and the fact there were only 2 more direct buses back to Newcastle that evening , and we were hungry , we adjourned across the market place and ordered  8 ( eight) fish and chips in a sit down café.

Suitably stuffed we, weaved our way over the cobbles to the bus station and our ride back to Newcastle. 

Now  In Newcastle there is a pub called The Junction next to the bus station. Never drank in it , but have used their gents many times. A couple of us stayed back and had another pint. Only after I had paid I noticed the 10% discount sign for CAMRA members. Bastard, it happens to me every time.