The Barrasford Arms Hotel

The Barrasford Arms Hotel isn't one of these mass produced pubs that are so common today, it is a true inn, a part of England's heritage.

The bar is a time capsule and a true bastion of traditional village values. It is the local provider of the forgotten art of conversation, debate, tale telling and the occasional fisherman's story.

After all the inn does overlook one of the finest sport fishing rivers in the North of England, the North Tyne.

Tom, landlord and local farmer is the third generation to operate The Barrasford Arms Hotel. Joyce his wife looks after refuelling her guests with wholesome down to earth food, cooked on her pride and joy the hard working Aga. Steaks are from local pasture fed Northumbria beef, provided by the local butcher. Hams are home boiled and topped with her special mustard and sugar crust before being finished in the oven.

The local giant rolls are in great demand, especially when used to make her oversized prawn and mayonnaise sandwiches. Guests and locals alike can be found tucking into their food in the unpretentious dining room which overlooks the impressive fourteenth century Haughton Castle on the other side of the river North Tyne. You don't have to confine yourself to the dining room. Traditinal bar food and sandwiches are served in either bar or the adjacent rustic black beamed lounge. You can even participate in the age old custom of toe warming in front of the roaring log fires.

The Barrasford Arms Hotel offers real hand pulled ale. Perhaps it may give you an insight into the inn and Tom's family attitudes when you hear that they have purchased their beer from the same supplier for the past 70 years. In fact Tom's grandfather used to have collect the beer from the railway and transport the barrels by horse and cart up the hill to the Inn.

This region preserves some of the most spectacular sections of Hadrian's Wall. Nearly 2000 years ago this wall defined the Northern Frontier of Rome's mighty empire. Today it is a world heritage site.

Corbridge Roman Site: Best example of military granaries in this country.

Chesters: A well preserved Roman cavalry fort, including the remains of an impressive bath house.

Housesteads: Perched high on the ridge

Housesteads Roman Fort: covers 5 acres offering breathtaking views

Other places of interest nearby are Chipchase Castle, gardens and Nursery- Border History Museum- Hexham Abbey- Kielder Water - Aydon Castle

Across from the Hotel on the other side of the splendid North Tyne River is the impressive fourteenth century Haughton Castle. At one time a ferry operated by rope and pulley carried passengers between Barrasford and the Castle. The agreement for it was entered into during the reign of Henry the II.

Not quite, but it is claimed that Haughton Castle was at one time haunted by the bloodcurdling screams of Archie Armstrong, chief of the marauding Border Reivers. He had been thrown into the dungeons by Sir Thomas Swindburne, a seventeenth century Lord of Haughton, and inadvertently left to starve.

The place was exorcised , but it was said that if a certain Bible is removed from the castle the haunting will be renewed....

Whilst talking spooky, ask Tom about the Barrasford Arms Ghost!!