A weekend in Durham, but a raid into Northumberland for what we GBG tickers call “a straggler”.
No-one has ever called Blanchland (pop.135) a straggler before.
Blanchland was, I presume, built in the 17/18th century in order to later provide the setting for filming Catherine Cookson period dramas.
With a bit more effort from Mrs RM, we could possibly have ticked this one on our Hadrian’s Wall walk in May; note the sign below right marking the Wall’s trail.
DON’T climb those stairs, tempting as they seem, you never know where they might be hiding a micro pub.
Instead, head for the Lord Crew(e) Arms,
and marvel at the vaults and crypts in a place that will cost you £219 to stay next week.
The pilgrimage from door to bar still involves a Covid-secure one way system, but at least the yellow and black tape that scarred our pubs during Lockdown has gone.
WHY did I go for the Twice Brewed Pale (NBSS 2.5) ? Do I never learn ?
“A medieval vaulted room, sculpted by thick stone walls, lit by candle style ambience, and warmed with the chatter of Blanchland villagers” says What Pub.
Sadly just me and the drunken Abbot and a lovely barman attempting to make contactless work in a crypt without internet, and the sounds of “I Will Always Love You” wafting over the smell of smoke. Regulars at the Cricketers in Bordesley will be delighted to know that this time it was the Whitney Oooston version.
retiredmartin 
Is it me or do you run into a lot of odd dining pubs in that area?
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Very astute, Dave. County Durham and Northumberland have far fewer boozers serving cask (outside Durham itself) so Guide entries often smart hotel restaurants, Wetherspoons or micropubs.
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And if you were headed out to a dinner you have to say that place would have some attraction. Kind of an interesting interior. Just not really a pub.
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Yep. And folks do drive out there, which is partly why the beer sales aren’t great.
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Lovely -looks like they are expecting to serve some 2 course meals with bread rolls (although it would put me off to walk into an empty pub all set out to eat )
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Lovely, lovely village. Awful, awful ‘pub’.
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Correct.
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I bet the Cricketers was more fun…and the cask Guinness was better!
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There used to be a cask Guinness (cask conditioned) in the 90s, not sure I ever saw it or if it was any good !
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If you keep looking, there’s a fair chance the place they tested it still has the cask on.
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