Me and our lass started to keep a list of the better ones we tried, its probably out of date now, but here it is anyways:
THE TILLMOUTH PARK COUNTRY HOUSE HOTEL - near the village of Cornhill, Northumberland.
THE CROFT HOTEL, at Croft on Tees near Darlington, located not far from the Croft racing circuit.
THE ANGEL, at Corbridge, Northumberland.
THE HIGHLANDER near Belsay, Northumberland.
THE OTTERBURN TOWER - right in the centre of the village on the A696 as you head towards Jedburgh.
THE BLINK BONNY - in Christon Bank, near Alnwick, Northumberland
THE OAKS HOTEL - take the Alnwick turn-off from the A1 and head towards the town centre. The Oaks is on your right at the first roundabout you approach.
THE CHURCH MOUSE - Chester Moor, near Chester-le-Street, County Durham.
THE CARTS BOG INN - near Langley in Northumberland.
THE PUMPHOUSE - situated near the banks of the Wear in Houghall, Durham.
THE PACK HORSE – Burnhopefield, County Durham
Queen\'s Head Inn at Great Whittington, Northumberland
Crown Inn at Humshaugh, Northumberland
Red Lion at Milfield, near Wooler in North Northumberland
Miners Arms in Medomsley, near Consett
The Derwent Walk Inn, Ebchester, near Consett, County Durham
The Stonebridge Inn. where the A689 meets the B6302 leading up to Ushaw Moor and Esh Winning, County Durham
Dyke Neuk - along the Morpeth to Cambo road –Northumberland.
The Rat, head west along the A69, come off at the second exit for Corbridge and head towards the village but turn right, following the signs for Corbridge Roman site, before you get too far into the built-up area. Head west, past the Roman site, for a couple of miles, then take a right uphill just as Hexham comes into view. The turn-off is signposted for the Rat.
Blue Bell Inn, take the A6076 Causey Road to Stanley, then after three miles turn left onto Badgers Wood then left again onto Beamishburn Road.
The Lion and Lamb - Travelling west out of Newcastle on the A69, take the turn-off signposted for Heddon on the Wall. Carry on through Heddon and you will come to the village of Horsley. The pub is on your left.
The Blacksmiths in Low Pittington can be found just off the A690 between Durham and Sunderland. From junction 62 on the A1 head long the A690 towards Sunderland and after about a mile turn right across the dual carriageway and you will find the pub.
Manor House Inn, Carterway Heads, just west of Consett, County Durham. It lies at a staggered crossroads, where the A68 and B6278 intersect.
The Waggon Inn is at the top of Galloping Green Lane in Eighton Banks, Gateshead.
Beehive Inn between Earsdon and Hartley, Situated on Old Hartley Lane between Earsdon and Seaton Sluice, North Tyneside.
Battlesteads Hotel at Wark in Northumberland. Head west along the A69 Newcastle-Carlisle road, take the Acomb turn-off a mile or two past the roundabout at Hexham and head north up the A6079 through Acomb and Wall, then the B6320 towards Bellingham. The Battlesteads is the first pub in Wark, on the left as you enter the village, about eight miles north of Hexham.
The Potters Wheel – Sunniside, Gateshead
The Battlesteads Hotel is probably the best of the lot
