Queens Head, Durham

A fabulous multi-roomed pub with its areas all linked by a central corridor. Flagstone and wooden floors, depending upon where you pitch up, some exposed stone walls, dark red Lincrusta style ceiling. Old fire extinguishers on a shelf plus loads of Good Beer Guides going right back to the first one in 1975. The pub is deservedly a 2015 entry, I assume a regular. A piano in a side room looks like it gets some use, loads of framed CAMRA awards. Dog friendly, a couple were in lying across the floor behaving nicely, this feels like a real old school community local with a seriously good range of ales. Hambleton Bitter and Iron Mild, Ossett Pale Gold, Allendale Golden Plover, Otter Bright, Purity Pure Ubu, Tyne Bank Rhubarb and Custard, Cullercoats Jack the Devil plus a cider, Weston's Old Rosie. What a line up especially in a village pub. This place really is worth taking the effort to get to, a simple 10 minute bus ride from Durham, three or four routes serve the village, I got the 21.