BASS BY THE TEES

July 2026. Middleton One Row. Near Darlington.

From the Steam Machine I walked to Heighington Station, a dull mile through industrial estates,

ending at a dead pub commemorating the first ever train.

Somewhere along the way I realised I could stay on the service towards Saltburn and get off at Dinsdale, which I’d never heard of but it served as a gateway to a third (3rd) GBG tick of the afternoon. Riches indeed.

A mile from the Dinsdale halt brings you to the mysterious Middleton One Row,

so named because it’s just one row of smart houses with a steep slope down to the Tees.

And very picturesque (and fragrant) it is too, the gurgling of the Tees a sensory joy. MOR (as the kidz call it) had its glory days in the late 18th century as a spa resort, but now all that remains is the Devonport Hotel.

Goodness me I feel scruffy in these commuterland gastropubs, but at least the side room had some semblance of Proper Pubbiness, even if the political debate wouldn’t have been to most of my readers’ tastes.

And the Bass (a mere £4.60) was cool,and tasty. GOOD, occasionally VERY GOOD, as the shipping forecast goes.

Though in truth it was no match for the banked Bass with flake 10 miles east in Stockton.

And, back in my campervan, something had gone terribly wrong with the Fat Buddha’s squid.

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Published by retiredmartin

Retired NHS, doing long walks around UK and the world to record the great bits. Focused on Good Beer Guide pubs and live music.

6 thoughts on “BASS BY THE TEES”

  1. I’ve had a lot of Bass action recently. A fortnight ago I was in Dublin with my daughter as she was competing in the Dance World Cup (not to be confused with the World Cup of Dance or any other parent-fleecing machine). Between buses to the airport we had to nip into the Colcot Arms, Barry as someone (not me for a change) was at bursting point. I bought a half of lemonade to be polite, but then, unexpectedly, noticed the Bass (and also Doom Bar) pump.

    I’m Dublin itself, I tried to take a picture of a ‘Bass Sports’ mirror for you at the Merchant’s Arch, but it’s a terrible one. I haven’t been able to work out what Bass Sports was – i guessed either a competition or a sports channel.
    https://untp.beer/Xw9MW

    The this week, my 82 year old mum took the family and I to the finally open Brookhouse Mill in Denbigh. Id read it had five casks on, but didn’t expect four of them to be pales. One was Bass, and it was very good with my £19 pie and chips. No idea if it’s a regular.

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    1. Well, the Colcot, for Bass, eh? Who’d have thought it, Rhys?

      Still, I suppose that it’s in retirement bungalow territory after all, and probably a teachers’ pub too.

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  2. I had Bass in two of my five Eccleshall pubs yesterday lunchtime, but not drinking quite as well as I might have expected.
    Maybe better dropping the “h” ?

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    1. Dropping the H in Eccleshall would imply an instantaneous move from Staffordshire to South Yorkshire: almost certainly an improvement.

      Whether the Bass would also improve I leave it to you to determine when you arrive, Paul.

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      2. I’ve only tried Bass in Sheffield twice this year, both in the Brothers Arms in Heeley. In February it was NBSS 3.5. which has now been banned, and on the 1st of July is was Good. Probably my own fault for only drinking halves – no doubt either you or Martin would have drunk pints and rated them Very Good.

        My best Bass this year was in January at the Crown Hotel adjacent to Lime Street station – a lovely pint in a gorgeous pub.

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