We are lucky I think in the north east of England to live so close to so much beautiful countryside like the Northumberland National Park and also to be so near to so much history in the shape of Hadrian's Wall, it doesn't matter if it's spring, summer or even the dark days of winter, there's so much you can do, especially if you have a dog or if you are a walker and places like the very dog friendly Twice Brewed Inn cater for just that kind of market.
I was invited to stay at the Twice Brewed Inn with Holly Bobbins, my four pawed accomplice and head ambassador of Holly Bobbins dog friendly guide to the Northeast of England, and my best friend and partner in crime Harriet, we were to have dinner and a cosy overnight stay in the beautiful Inn which looked like it had been recently refurbished.
The Twice Brewed Inn is situated right next door to The Sill, a brand new landscape discovery centre which crazily isn't dog friendly, a questionable decision for somewhere smack bang in the middle of walking country where a large proportion of visitors come with their dogs. The Twice Brewed Inn however welcomes you with large dog bowls right outside of the entrance, a huge jar of dog treats inside the front door and a large beer garden to the rear where Holly embraced the snow and exercised her paws running around and around like the silly beast she can sometimes be.
The rooms are compact and bijoux, and most importantly cosy with beautiful views of the surrounding countryside. The Twice Brewed Inn caters mainly for walkers who are resting their weary heads overnight whilst walking the length of Hadrian's Wall and I'm not surprised, 84 miles is no mean feat and I was actually surprised by how many jolly walkers we encountered on a freezing January weekend. I have to admit to not being even so much as tempted to get my walking boots on but Harriet, Holly and I did enjoy a little wander in nearby Hexham, enjoying the fresh air and lunch at Bea's Teas, a pretty little dog friendly tearoom situated in the Accumulator Rooms right in the heart of the marketplace.
After we'd arrived and unpacked at the Twice Brewed Inn we went down to the bar for a large glass of Sauvignon Blanc priced very reasonably at just over £7 whilst Harriet had the special offer wine, a large glass for just over a fiver is a bargain and we decided whilst taking a sneaky peek at the evening menu that we would have a bottle of Prosecco with dinner, at £21 we could have easily enjoyed two but we know from my previous adventures, I'm a lightweight and indulging in alcohol is most definitely a special occasion.
Our table for dinner was ready at 7.30pm, a time we'd selected when we'd checked in and I couldn't believe how busy the place was for a freezing cold night in January at a pub which is essentially in the middle of the countryside or at least it feels that way, in actuality it's just a few miles from Hexham and only a 30 minute drive from Newcastle so you can see why it's so easily accessible even in winter.
At the Twice Brewed Inn, the food is really the star of the show, I went for the most amazing cheese soufflé to start whilst Harriet enjoyed the fishcakes, we both opted for the steak for main course and for pudding I chose the cheeseboard whilst Harriet indulged in her favourite sticky toffee pudding, I've told her if she should ever start a blog it's got to be called "Harriet's Sticky Toffee Pudding Odyssey" . I can't remember having a better meal for ages, and most certainly I'll come back again on a Sunday to try a Sunday lunch, I was speaking to the friendly receptionist about it and advised that you really need to book a table if you want to come for Sunday lunch as only last week in mid January they'd served more than 200 Sunday lunches.
After a splendid nights sleep in the most comfy bed we started the day with a full Northumbrian breakfast, no photo though, we were so hungry I ate it before I even had so much as a chance to think about photos and all too soon it was time to depart back to the frozen wilderness.
Overall, I would have no problem at all in recommending the Twice Brewed Inn and Holly Bobbins gave it 10 barks out of 10 for it's exceptional level of dog friendliness, she also enjoyed titbits of Northumbrian Sausage, steak and cheese whilst sitting patiently under our table and after all of the fun it's no wonder she's been exhausted and sleepy since our return home.
Prices for bed and breakfast at the Twice Brewed Inn start at just £85 for a double room with breakfast and whilst we were gifted dinner bed and breakfast I have no doubt that I'll be booking myself a table for Sunday lunch with Holly Bobbins sometime soon.
No comments
Post a Comment