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COUNTY DURHAM:
DURHAM - just been the once for a day trip.
* COLPITTS - last visit 2008 - wedge shaped stone building at the end of a row of old terraces, this is a down to earth no frills traditional Sam Smiths pub so has their ale at the usual bargain price. A small room by the bar and a longer one in the wedge shaped bit of the building, there was a friendly local atmosphere.   photo
* DUN COW - last visit 2008 - very old little whitewashed pub with a basic front bar and a cosy narrow white wood panelled lounge reached via an alleyway which also leads to the back yard. 3 ales including Castle Eden which I had - not seen if anywhere for years. Also a small food menu and a friendly landlady!   photo
* HALF MOON - last visit 2008 - Quite large town centre pub with an interesting interior, 2 semi circular rooms either side of the bar, the back one down a few steps.  4 ales including one from the Durham brewery which I had.   Photo
* VICTORIA INN - last visit 2008 - a short walk from the town centre on a street of attractive old terrace houses, a plain Victorian brick building but inside is an amazing timewarp! The small bare floored bar room where I sat has a real fire, basic seating and an attractive bar full of bottles and ornaments while the small lounge to the side is a museum piece with fireplace, old fashioned wallpaper and various paintings. There's also a front bar room I didn't venture in to but see the photos on their website.  Beerwise there were 5 ales, all from small North East / North Yorks breweries being enjoyed by a small group of local punters.    Photo    website

NORTHUMBERLAND:
ACOMB - called in here when camping nearby
* MINERS ARMS - last visit 2011 - an old whitewashed pub on the main street with one small and cosy low ceiling room divided by a staircase, there's bare stone walls, wooden beams and a big fireplace. There's also another room at the back and seating out front, ales were from Wylam and Yates. photo 
ANICK - I walked here after visiting the pub above, the aim was to get some food. Unfortunately it was a Sunday eve. They dont serve food Sunday eves...
* RAT INN - last visit 2011 - a large old stone pub set back from the road behind an attractive front beer garden. Inside is a small flagstone bar area with a fireplace then a raised dining area and seperate conservatory, all quite smart but comfortable with a mix of traditional and modern styling. A few ales from Cumbrian and North Eastern breweries, and there was a good looking food menu, but I went hungry (see above)!   photo     website
BERWICK UPON TWEED - I've stayed here for a couple of nights.
* BARRELS ALE HOUSE last visit 2007 - excellent ale house at the end of the old bridge, consists of a small bar room full of music posters, a comfortable lounge and a basement I didn't visit 'cos nowt was going on but it seems to be used for live bands etc. A number of handpumps on the bar including local guest ales, seemed a lively and friendly place with a mix of locals and visitors. photo
* FOXTONS last visit 2007 - a cafe bar style place in the centre of town, a long narrow building with one side of the bar for people wanting tea and cakes, the other side had a couple of Caledonian Ales.
* LEAPING SALMON last visit 2007 - large Wetherspoons pub at the end of the 'new' bridge, the usual W'spoons choice of beer and food but was good to see this included a couple of Northumberland brewed ales.
* PILOT last visit 2007 - attractive stone pub in a row of terrace houses just beyond the old town walls, seemed to be a good locals pub with several rooms including a traditional public bar where I sat to admire the nautical themed objects and have a good pint from one of the 3 ales on offer, 2 of which were local beers. photo  
CORBRIDGE- stopped off for a pint here when walking
* ANGEL - last visit 2011 - large building in the centre of the village with accomodation and a restaurant, but the 'pub' bit is two rooms, a quite large and bright bar room and a lounge with wood panels and sofas. A good choice of ales all from various small breweries and mostly from the North East. More seating outside, which is where I sat to enjoy the sun. photo   website
HALTWHISTLE - visited here for a pint and some food before starting a walk along Hadrian's Wall
* BLACK BULL - last visit 2011 - an old pub hidden away just off the main street, there's one quite small cosy room with beams etc and a friendly landlord. Ales included Camerons, Cally IPA and a couple of guests.    photo   
HEXHAM - came here for breakfast after camping nearby
* FORUM - last visit 2011 - a large Wetherspoons in a converted cinema, one long main room plus a more ornate area down some steps. I only came here for the food, but the bar had some local ales
SEAHOUSES - on my way home from Berwick I stopped off here for a look
*OLDE SHIP HOTEL last visit 2007 - hotel by the harbour with several small cosy rooms for a pint and food, the dark wooden bar room where I sat is full of nautical objects and photos and sells several beers including on my visit Farne Island Ale. The drinking areas are all traditional but the toilets are in very modern style! photo
TWICE BREWED - came here one evening when at the nearby campsite while on a Hadrian's Wall walk.
* TWICE BREWED INN - last visit 2011 - a large roadside inn out in the wilds, very welcoming on a wet night as it was when I visited. One very long open room with beams and a bare wall plus fireplace at one end, also a separate dining room and small lounge. Plenty of ales including a house brew and others from the likes of Allenhead and Consett breweries, good food and good service despite it being busy. Plenty of local photos on the walls (mainly of the Wall)   photo   website

TYNE & WEAR:
NEWCASTLE - have visited a few times over the year for work, drinking or when just pasing through.
* BACCHUS - last visit 2008 - a spacious open square room with a central bar, quite modern, plush and bright with a high ceiling, dark wood and comfy chairs. 8 real ales, many from local breweries.      photo
* BODEGA last visit 2008 - a large pub with a long single room and some interesting architecture including two stained glass domes in the ceiling.  Plenty of real ales with several North East beers.  Photo
* BRIDGE HOTEL - last visit 2003 - big pub next to the High Level bridge with seating in various areas including by the back windows giving great views of the river below, several good beers including the local Mordue Workie Ticket and others. Photo
* CENTURIAN - last visit 2011 - in the buildings of Central Station, it's a large high ceilinged and very ornate room (plus a small back room) with a mix of local and more common ales.   Photo  
* THE COOPERAGE - last visit 2008 - a pub in a very old building on the quayside with a more modern extension to one side - this modern bit has a nightclub upstairs but inside the old building is is small and very cosy bar room , darkly lit with bare stone walls and old red sofas. A small selection of ales, again a choice from interesting local breweries.   Photo  website
* CROWN POSADA - last visit 2008 - a classic little pub on a steep street sloping down to the quayside. Inside is a narrow dark wooden bar with interesting features, stained glass windows and old photos. A little snug at the front and corridor past the bar leading to a cosy little lounge at the back. On my last visit the choice of beers included some interesting Yorkshire and North Eastern ales.   Photo
* DUKE OF WELLINGTON - last visit 2003 - a city centre pub just off the Bigg Market, I dont remember too much about it but there were a few ales, jukebox and I had my tea in here.
* FITZGERALDS - last visit 2008 - a narrow stone building, inside is very impressive. A long entrance corridor with seating, dark wood and mirrors leads to the large main room down a few steps with lots more wood and ornate features including stained glass in the high ceilings and a mix of bar stools and seating in little booths. The large bar has 3 ales - one is usually from the local Mordue brewery but it wasn't on, I had a good pint of Landlord instead.    photo
* FREE TRADE INN - last visit 2008 - in Byker - a little brick building down the River Tyne from the city centre, superb views from the pub back aalong the river to the city skyline and famous bridges. Inside is a basic bare floored ale house, just one room but including an area down a few steps. Jukebox and a choice of real ales including from small local breweries.   Photo  
* FORTH - last visit 2011 - a large bar on a street coner near the station, with big windows and various seating from sofas to high bar stools and a mix of real ales from well known and more unusual breweries around tthe country.  website
* HEAD OF STEAM - last visit 2003 - opposite the station, the bar is upstairs while downstairs when I visited a live band was playing. There was a student type crowd and the usual good range of beers you'd expect in a Head of Steam pub.
* NEW UNION [Wetherspoons] - last visit 2008 - a huge place near the station in an impressive old building. There's many rooms and several different bars including upstairs, some busy and noisy with TVs, others more comfortable. The usual Wetherspoons beers (including local ales) and food.   Photo
* NEWCASTLE ARMS - last visit 2008 - by China Town and the football stadium, when I visited it was busy including with people watching football on TV so I didn't get much of a look round and instead stood in the interesting curved bay window. One basic L shaped room, an ale house style and several local beers. photo  website
* TYNE BAR - last visit 2008 - in Byker - not far from the Free Trade above, this pub has one long narrow room with TV, bare brick walls and lots of music posters - it's a live music venue. There were a few local ales, the one I had was not at its best but OK, one of my companions asked for a change and it was replaced no problem.    photo  website

And not actually in Newcastle, but while staying there with work I was driven out to a large pub in a well off village north of the city, not far from the airport. It was part of the Vintage Inn chain so had their usual food and beer but can't remember it's name or exactly where it was.

WYLAM - I got off the train here to visit this superb pub.
* BOATHOUSE - last visit 2011 - right next to the railway station, there's one long traditional room with beams, fireplace, red walls and loads of pumpclips on display along with a collection of CAMRA awards. And well deserved, it's a grand place with 15 ? real ales from a wide variety of mostly small local, Yorkshire and Scottish breweries, friendly service and some interesting (and friendly!) punters too. There's also a seperate dining room and nicely tiled gents toilets!   photo   website

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