The Craster Arms, Chathill

After visiting the Beadnell Towers Hotel 4½ years ago during Covid times, where ironically they'd advised us to try the Craster Arms Hotel instead as they had no tables, we returned and followed their advice. From memory, the Beadnell Towers felt like a nicer pub, albeit more suited to diners than drinkers. Indeed, the Craster Arms succeeded its counterpart in the Good Beer Guide (last entry in 2022) and does feel more like the locals' pub. It has tiled floor and TVs had been showing live FA Cup Final football on mute, until the TV switched itself off to standby with nobody at all noticing! This despite sports being promoted with Sky Sports & TNT Sports posters around. Music was playing instead. Children and dogs are allowed and it looked like the kitchen had just finished sending out the last of its Sunday roasts. Alnwick Amber Ale & Anarchy Blonde Star are the regular cask ales. Alnwick Lindisfarne Holy Island Bitter was the guest beer. Wainwright Amber & Shipyard American Pale were a couple of keg beers, with the 3 Thatcher's fruit ciders - Blood Orange, Apple & Blackcurrant & Cloudy Lemon also available to purchase. My Amber Ale was uninspring. An outdoor area adjacent to the pub seemed to be very popular on a sunny spring Sunday afternoon. In all, I think I preferred the more upmarket atmosphere of the Beadnell Towers Hotel, but I wouldn't rush back to Beadnell to visit either.

A very historic building, with parts dating back to the 15th century, but you wouldn't know it. Passing a heavily developed beer garden packed with tables and various shacks, the side entrance into the bar area reveals an over-modernised interior, even if using traditional materials like the new flagstone floor. A boring large rectangular room tabled for diners extends off from the bar counter. At least the cask ales seemed ok, with Alnwick Amber, Lindisfarne Holy Island and Anarchy Blonde on handpump. More for family dining than drinking.

Modern food venue, bright, ok

Super location - opposite the church. Beadnell itself is delighful - get to the bay for a walk and pop in here for a pint after. Inside, its mainly setup for the holiday food crowd - huge menu, with some nice looking specials. Three real ales on - two from Allendale Brewery and a Farne Island. The Farne Island was in lovely condition.