Where to Eat Near Derwent View Cottage
We’re often asked by guests staying at Derwent View Cottage where we would recommend going out to eat.
There are some great places to eat within an easy drive of the cottage, whether you’re looking for a hearty pub lunch, homemade cakes, Italian food or somewhere a little more special for a celebration.
These are some of the places we regularly recommend, along with a few that previous guests have also enjoyed.
Derwent View Cottage on the Northumberland / County Durham border
The Manor House Inn – For a Hearty Pub Lunch
One of the closest options to Derwent View Cottage is the Manor House Inn at Carterway Heads.
It’s a great choice if you’re looking for traditional pub food. We often have a relaxed lunch there, and their fish and chips are always a favourite! It’s also somewhere several guests have recommended for a Sunday roast.
Its position overlooking the surrounding countryside is another bonus – from some of the tables, you can even see the cottage! It’s therefore a good option if you don’t want to travel too far.
The Lord Crewe Arms, Blanchland
If you’re celebrating a birthday or anniversary, or simply fancy a special meal during your stay, the Lord Crewe Arms in Blanchland would definitely be one of our recommendations.
Set in the centre of the historic village, the Lord Crewe dates back hundreds of years and has retained much of its character, with thick stone walls, open fireplaces and the atmospheric Crypt Bar.
Food is seasonal with an emphasis on local produce, and there’s the option of having a drink in the bar before your meal.
Blanchland is only around 6 miles from Derwent View Cottage, or under 15 minutes by car, so it is particularly easy to visit. If you haven’t been before, it’s worth allowing some extra time to have a wander around the village too.
Lord Crewe Arms Blanchland
The White Monk Tearoom, Blanchland
For something more relaxed during the day, we’d also recommend the White Monk Tearoom in Blanchland.
It’s a lovely choice for lunch, with homemade dishes as well as very good cakes, so it also works well for coffee and something sweet after a walk around the village or surrounding countryside.
Many of our guests enjoy some of the walks around Blanchland, which range from fairly gentle riverside routes to longer walks out across the surrounding moors, making the White Monk a good stop before or afterwards.
The White Monk is currently open from Thursday to Sunday, rather than throughout the week, so it’s worth factoring that into your plans.
The Duke of Wellington, Newton
If you’re happy to travel a little further, the Duke of Wellington at Newton in the Tyne Valley is another place we enjoy.
It has the feel of a traditional country inn with a spacious restaurant overlooking the valley and focuses on using seasonal ingredients and local suppliers. We often come here for a lunch out and it’s certainly somewhere we’d consider if you wanted a good evening meal without necessarily going into one of the larger towns.
Newton is around 10 miles from the cottage, or under 20 minutes by car, and is close to Corbridge, so you could also combine a meal here with some time exploring that part of the Tyne Valley.
The Feathers Inn, Hedley on the Hill
Another option with a really strong reputation and great reviews is The Feathers Inn at Hedley on the Hill.
It’s a small, family-run country pub with menus built around seasonal ingredients and produce from local farmers, growers and suppliers.
Despite its strong food reputation, it still has the relaxed feel of a traditional country pub, making it a good choice for lunch, dinner or Sunday lunch.
The Feathers is around 8–9 miles from Derwent View Cottage, or under 20 minutes by car. As you get closer to Hedley on the Hill, the roads become narrower country lanes, so it’s worth allowing a little extra time if you’re not used to rural driving.
Opening days are more limited than some of the other places on our list, so this is definitely one to check and book in advance if you’d particularly like to visit.
Sale Pepe, Shotley Bridge – Italian Food
Shotley Bridge is under 4 miles from Derwent View Cottage, or under 10 minutes by car, making this a useful option for an evening out without travelling as far as Corbridge or Hexham.
Sale Pepe in Shotley Bridge is a family-run Italian restaurant that has been in the village for many years and serves homemade Italian food. Parking at Sale Pepe is on the surrounding streets rather than in a dedicated car park, so it’s worth allowing a little extra time to find a space, particularly at busier times.
Knitsley Farm Shop – Café and Local Produce
Knitsley Farm Shop is another useful place to know about during your stay, particularly if you’re looking for somewhere for breakfast, lunch or coffee during the day.
As well as its café, the farm shop sells a good range of local and regional produce, so it’s also somewhere to pick up meat, fresh food and treats to bring back to the cottage.
It works particularly well if you fancy eating in at Derwent View Cottage rather than going out for a full meal, as you can stock up on something locally produced and enjoy it back at the cottage.
Eating Out in Corbridge
Corbridge is just over 10 miles from Derwent View Cottage, or roughly a 20-minute drive, so it’s still an easy option if you fancy a little more choice.
The village has a great selection of independent cafés, making it a great choice for coffee, lunch or cake while you’re exploring. There are also several pubs serving good food if you’re looking for something more traditional.
For an evening meal, Il Piccolo is a popular Italian restaurant in the village and a good choice if you fancy something a little different from pub food.
We also regularly use Corbridge Tandoori for takeaway. Corbridge is also a lovely place to wander around during the day, with independent shops and plenty of character, so it’s easy to combine something to eat with a few hours exploring the village.
Eating Out in Hexham
Hexham gives you even more choice and is around 16 miles from Derwent View Cottage, or roughly a 30-minute drive.
For something a little more special, The Beaumont is a very good option right in the centre of town. Its restaurant serves seasonal food with much of the produce sourced locally, and you can eat there for lunch, dinner or Sunday lunch. It also has a bar, so it works well if you want to have a drink before your meal. Bouchon Bistrot is a French dining experience and another good option for something a little more special in the centre of Hexham.
Hexham is also a good choice if you fancy Indian food, either to eat in or take back to the cottage. There are several Indian restaurants in the town and we regularly use Saathi on Priestpopple ourselves, which offers both restaurant dining and takeaway. A new Thai restaurant, Nomi, has also recently opened in Hexham. They offer a great-value lunch menu, and we’ve heard very good things about their evening food too.
If you’re visiting during the day, Hexham Abbey is right in the centre and the surrounding streets have a good collection of independent shops, cafés and pubs. It means you can easily combine lunch or an evening meal with some time exploring the town.
Derwent View Cottage
Eating Out During Your Stay
As with many rural pubs and restaurants, opening days and food-serving times can change. We always recommend checking current opening times and booking ahead if there is somewhere you particularly want to visit – especially for Friday and Saturday evenings or Sunday lunch.
And, of course, one of the advantages of staying in a self-catering cottage is that you don’t have to eat out every night. If you’d rather pick up something locally and enjoy dinner back at Derwent View Cottage, our kitchen has everything you need – and on a fine evening, the decking and open countryside beyond offer a setting that arguably can’t be beaten.
Derwent View COttage
Set in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty in the North Pennines, this one bedroom self catering holiday cottage has stunning views of rolling countryside whilst being in easy reach of major local attractions.