Southport:
We’d been tipped off by friends about this one- in a sidestreet. We sat outside, on benches on the pavement, but there’s a beer garden out back, and a lovely traditional pub interior. Several well-kept ales, friendly staff, and food that looked terrific value. Close to perfect.
Southport:
A by-the-numbers Marston’s family feedbag pub, but a few things lifted it above average. First of all, the location’s pretty good. Secondly, Marstons pubs are one of the few places you can get their Pedigree in a drinkable state, and thirdly, the staff were friendly, efficient, but not fake-obsequiously-pleasant. Food was pretty good too.
Seahouses, Northumberland:
This is odd. This review has it as a gastropub, and the Tripadvisor reviews are glowing, but when we visited, there was no sign of this- it seems the restaurant is closed much of the week, and is to permanently close on Oct 26th.
Sadly, what we were left with was a pub with no real ale, the football on too loud, and an unpleasant smell (from the glass washer, I reckon). Shame.
Seahouses, Northumberland
An unexceptional pub- not horrible, but nothing to write home about. Staff were friendly, but no real ale- shame as the interior was pleasant enough traditional pub and the locals seemed OK too, so I’d have stopped longer with something better to drink.
Bamburgh, Northumberland:
This is a hotel, but the bar and (pleasant) beer garden feel pub-like, and the bar markets itself in that way, so it’s in.
We stopped here for lunch after a walk up from Seahouses. Pleasant staff, decent beer, good food, and not too expensive, though our entire Northumberland trip was a bit pricey beer-wise. It’s very modern gastropub inside, clean, bright and stripped wood, but not unpleasant- and the nice man filled our water bottle for the journey back.
Seahouses, Northumberland:
Opposite the Olde Ship, this seems to bask in the reflected glory: we went in because The Olde Ship was rammed, as did several others. It doesn’t have the olde-worlde charm, but it does have great beer and food, friendly staff, free wi-fi, and a great view over the harbour. Dog-friendly too. Like the ship, it’s got rooms, but both feel mostly like pubs.
Seahouses, Northumberland:
The best known pub in Seahouses, and a probably for good reason. Inside it’s a maze of rooms, and most of them are decorated with an eclectic mix of maritime memorabillia. There’s great beer (both choice and quality), and good food, and the staff are friendly. There’s free wi-fi too, handy given the shaky Vodafone signal locally.
There’s actually only one problem: It’s far too popular!
We went in several times, but turned round and went to The Bamburgh Castle Inn over the road more times than we stopped, as we couldn’t get to the bar, never mind a table to eat, but I should point out they take reservations- so booking is adviseable.
Deal, Kent:
There were things I didn’t like here: It’s a hotel bar, and a little trendy, but there’s much to like: seafront right by the pier, outside space, efficient and pleasant staff, good food, good beer. Prices a little high for drink, food very reasonable.