Heart of Northumberland

You'll find yourself on Hexham's busiest shopping stretch, but step through the door of Heart of Northumberland and you're immediately away from the market day chaos. It's got that comfortable, lived-in feeling—the kind of place where locals prop up the bar on a Tuesday lunchtime and friends gather on weekend evenings without needing an occasion. The team clearly know what they're doing with both the beer selection and the kitchen; there's proper care taken with what lands on your plate and in your glass. It's the sort of neighbourhood pub that's become increasingly rare, which explains why it's racked up nearly a thousand reviews and keeps people coming back.