The ferry from South to North Shields isn’t quite free, but is included in the cost of an all-zones Metro ticket. So it made no sense to swim across the Tyne to my next pub. And at least you don’t get “Ferry Cross the Mersey” assailing you on the trip.
A fairly functional 5 minute journey doesn’t quite compete with the epic sweep of the Woolwich Ferry, but North Shields itself remains as alluring as any ancient port in England. The Gravesend of the North, perhaps.
It’s home to the photographic legend that is Electric Pics, as well as this equally legendary pub owned by Sir Humphrey.
A decade ago North Shields had some Beer Guide entries to match Tyneside’s best; Magnesia Bank had the beer range, the Prince of Wales had the OBB and crab sandwiches, and Oddfellows was, er, idiosyncratic. This year we just have the Exchange, a bar/café/performance venue in the Good Book.
There’s some beautiful pubs round here, or ex-pubs in the case of the Crane House.
But the highlight of any visit are the steep steps from Bell St to Tyne St, where I was overtaken by a “Rocky” impersonator in training for his next fight.
The view was worth the near coronary caused by trying to keep up with him
Reminiscent of the Courtyard in Washington (one of Simon’s GBG gaps), the Exchange was a little quiet on Saturday lunchtime apart from some “Ladies Who Lunch”. Does the whole of Tyneside go on holiday to Seaton Carew in the winter ?
That isn’t great when you’ve got four local beers to turn over.
The first one (on the left of the bar) was, as I politely put it “on the turn“. The replacement, offered with grace, was that Thomas Brown on a busy-looking hand pump, and was very good (NBSS 3.5). Most real people won’t bother playing the Cask Ale Lottery.
The sign on the bar advertised chorizo and chick pea soup, which was just the ticket for £3.50 as I warmed up for the next pub. And the service was cheery, with the barman calling me “Buddy” 7 times in 27.5 minutes, a new retiredmartin record.
I still have no idea about the trees.
Next stop, Draught Bass.
retiredmartin 
I am Sir, humbled. Great to see a visitor’s impressions of my town which pretty much mirror my own views. Cask beer has had better times – we even had a real ale trail with 11 pubs!
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And one on the border to come !
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You wouldn’t believe the arguments over the state line!
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could you spare him a dime?
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“And at least you don’t get “Ferry Cross the Mersey” assailing you on the trip.”
(chuckles)*
“Rocky at the top”
A good one to post so soon after Roger Bannister’s death. Apparently he used to sprint up 150ft of steps in Bath where he went to school.
Cheers
* – note the lack of ‘heh’ once again. 🙂
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heh !
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The Prince is/was a decent Sams, I remember enjoying the Porthole as well last time I trawled round the Metro, but I see it’s gone now.
The Exchange is the sort of place where presumably quality depends greatly on what is happening there at the time. I’ve always found it a bit surprising how well the Cluny seems to tick over for the number of beers it offers.
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Good point; I guess the Cluny is more than a good gig venue; last year it was full of burger munchers (who weren’t gig-goers) while the Cumberland was quiet. The centre of Newcastle moves ever eastward.
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Are both the Shields as good as they were 10-15 years ago pubwise?
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At a guess, no. The Steamboat in South went from strength to strength, that Marine I went to was very good, but we lost the Maltings. Magnesia Bank not what it was etc etc. I’d still happily do a pub crawl round the best of them and finish at an Indian on Ocean drive.
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The exchange is the venue for Woodfest2018, the Society for Preservation of Beers from the Wood (SPBW) second annual extravaganza showcasing the brewers and coopers art. Some of us already have tickets and rooms booked! I’ve already seen the beer list and it’s impressive (there’s a sneak preview on beerleeds.co.uk – plug, plug).
I hadn’t seen the venue before, although Rob Shacklock the organiser assured me it was decent, as usual he was right. I would really encourage people to attend this event in July. For the doubting Thomas’s amongst you I can assure you that good beers served from the wood have an extra dimension that plastic or aluminium cannot impart to the beer.
American visitors last year were well impressed and I spent quite a bit of time with the people who came over from Chesapeake Bay SPBW branch.
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I might do that if you remind me.
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Russ missed it so I’ll do it…
“And at least you don’t get “Ferry Cross the Mersey” assailing you on the trip.”
But you should get ‘Fog on the Tyne’ surely…
😉
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The Lindisfarne original or Gazza remix ? That’s the question.
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“The Legend that is Paul Gascoigne sings about Sausage Rolls. West Auckland Mags”
… footballer rapping at its finest – no question about it…
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Have you heard the 12″ remix of Ian Clarkson and the 91 Birmingham City squad singing “**** on the Villa” to the tune of Ebenezer Good though ?
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I’m trying to resist….you’ll turn me into a footballer rapping fetishist if you’re not careful…
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