Turks Head Hotel, Morpeth

Official site of Turks Head Hotel - www.turksheadrothbury.co.uk

Official site of Turks Head Hotel - www.turksheadrothbury.co.uk

This stone fronted grade II listed former 16th century coaching house functions as a traditional pub in the village of Rothbury. The bar room to the right on entering and the lounge to the left which functions as a dining room during the day still retain several original features such as the real coal fires and the large sash windows that afford good views over Coquetdale and Simonside. And on a fine day the excellent multi-tiered rear garden that climbs and stretches back from the pub building is a great spot for a pint, especially the top tier, again from which you get great views of the surrounding hills. The bar supports two hand pumps and these were dispensing Marstons Pedigree and Jennings Cumberland Ale during the week we stayed in Rothbury, so not the beer choice to be found in other of the Rothbury pubs, but both were well kept from our experiences. A sign of a good village pub in a tourist area is how it is utilised by the locals when the tourists have finished eating and in this respect the Turks Head scored well and was always busy in the evenings, and especially on the weekend of the Rothbury music festival when there was acoustic acts performing in both rooms. We did not eat here, so cannot pass comment on the food, but as a traditional pub for a pint whilst in Rothbury , it was solid enough for us.

The Turks Head with it's hand-painted logo outside, is a good traditional pub. Lunchtime was busy with the regulars in for a bite to eat and drink. Lovely coal fire blazing and great view of the Cheviot Hills from it's two large sash windows. Enjoyed a good pint of Tetley Bitter, which I hadn't had for a good while - will return.

Food took a little while to come but it was worth the wait.