Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Seahouses.
&
01665/720200.
www.seahouses.co.uk. Main courses £9.50-£11. MC, V. Mon-Sat 11am-
11pm, Sun noon-11pm.
The Pheasant Inn
TRADITIONAL BRITISH This down-to-earth country pub,
handy for Kielder Water & Forest Park (p. 669), is another good spot for real ale and
unpretentious English comfort-food favorites or more elaborate dishes, from a bar
menu at lunchtime, or from bar and restaurant menus in the evening. There are also
traditional Sunday lunches. Local-game pies, lamb, cheeses, and seafood are the
highlights—we recommend the monkfish or sea bass, simply grilled with herb butter,
or with a light cream sauce. The handful of
B&B rooms
include a family room for
four to five; guests can order packed lunches to take out for the day.
Stannersburn.
&
01434/240382.
www.thepheasantinn.com. Main courses £6-£12. MC, V. Daily noon-
2pm and 7-9pm.
INEXPENSIVE
In northern Northumberland,
Pinnacles in Seahouses,
17-19 Main St.
(
&
01665/720-708
), serves very good fish and chips in basic surroundings.
Coastline
It's worth going out of your way to visit this huge fish-and-chips restau-
rant by the beach in the coastal town of Blyth in southern Northumberland (back
toward Newcastle). Its award-winning cod and haddock are both locally caught and
sustainably sourced where possible, as well as excellent value. Both are superb, but
if you fancy something a little different, try the haddock and mozzarella fishcakes.
Finish your meal in adjoining Caffè Sirena, an ice-cream parlor serving homemade
Italian gelato in flavors ranging from classic vanilla to Turkish delight, as well as
breakfasts, Italian coffee, cakes and pastries, and paninis and bruschetta.
Links Rd., Blyth.
&
01670/797428.
http://coastlinefishandchips.co.uk. Main courses £1-£3.80. MC, V.
Summer Mon-Sat 11am-8pm, Sun 11am-6pm; winter Mon-Sat 11am-7pm, Sun 11-6pm.
Where to Stay
VERY EXPENSIVE
Langley Castle Hotel
West of Hexham, England's only medieval fortified
castle to welcome paying guests has atmosphere in spades, with its 14th-century
spiral staircase, vast open hearths, and windows set into thick walls, many of which—
in guest rooms and the bar—have been turned into quirky seating areas. All rooms
are unique; some accommodate a family of five. The best, the Castle feature rooms,
have unexpectedly luxurious modern bathrooms, some with a spa tub and sauna.
Most rooms have a four-poster bed. The newer Castle View rooms, in a converted
building, lack the atmosphere of the actual castle but might be preferred by
families—Superior units have living rooms with sofabeds, affording some privacy for
parents. Good food is available most of the day, including afternoon tea and an “Early
Knight” menu (kids get their own menu). Guests can tour the turrets, weather
permitting.
Langley-on-Tyne, Tynedale, Northumberland NE47 5LU. www.langleycastle.com.
&
01434/688888.
27 units. £145-£265 double, from £185 suites. Rates include English breakfast. AE, MC, V. Free parking.
Amenities:
Restaurant; bar; babysitting; room service.
In room:
TV, hair dryer, minibar (some), spa bath
and sauna (some), Wi-Fi (free).
Matfen Hall Hotel, Golf & Spa
In countryside northeast of Hexham
and also a handy option for those exploring Newcastle (p. 662) but not wishing to stay
in the city, this stately home within its own parkland is home to a Go Ape! adventure
course (www.goape.co.uk) for ages 10 and over, so it's a great place to bring active
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