The Tanners Arms, Alnwick

A traditional looking stone built pub located just off the High Street, it’s an attractive building but in some ways looks a little dated perhaps, and I couldn’t help wondering if it was perhaps going to be a little basic internally and perhaps needing some TLC. I needn’t have worried though, it’s clearly been looked after, and from chatting to some of the friendly locals I understand that it was renovated during lockdown, but without losing any of it’s character it would appear. It’s all one open plan room internally, and not especially large, but that just added to it’s homely and cosy feel. The walls are almost entirely exposed stonework whilst the ceiling is a rather vibrant shade of violet, which might sound odd, but it works. The flooring was some sort of stone tiling, but the main feature was a large tree apparently growing in the centre of the pub with it’s foliage spreading across the ceiling. I didn’t inspect it, I assume it must have been an old trunk and fake leaves, but it was certainly effective and was complimented by hanging lanterns around about. A handful of artistic prints were scattered around the walls, and an old fireplace was off to one side. Beers on tap were Three Kings Darkside, GNEB Rivet Catcher and Clasper’s Citra, Durham Strata and Firebrick’s Elder Statesman, whilst a sixth pump appeared unused. The solitary cider was the excellent Willowtree which was a new one on me, but is I understand brewed locally. Overall a cracking little pub, and well worth checking out.

one roomed modernised but lovely bar, seats on the outside a large ntree perch in the middle makes it different and the beer is good.

This is, I suppose, Alnwick's specialist alehouse, and was the only one with a recommendation from my companion, who has been here before. After several pubs that were good but not special, I was hoping for something better, and the offering of four ales and a cider on the six hand pumps looked promising. My half of Born in the Borders Black Horse was good, but again nothing outstanding. The slight smell of damp, possibly caused by condensation, was noticeable. Maybe it's better here in summer. Date of visit: 12th March 2018