All finalists for The Hexham Courant's Best Pub 2024

The Hexham Courant launched a campaign to find the best pub in our area, voted for by our readers. 

The first five finalists, which were published in last week's edition of the Hexham Courant (September 5), are: 

• The Black Bull, Corbridge
• The Golden Lion, Corbridge
• The Heart of Northumberland, Hexham
• Milecastle Inn, Haltwhistle
• The Robin Hood Inn, East Wallhouses

The next five finalists competing for the Hexham Courant's Best Pub 2024 are:

• The Boatside Inn, Warden
• The Coach and Horses, Hexham
• The Crown Inn, Humshaugh
• The Halfway House, Prudhoe
• The Tannery, Hexham

The Boatside Inn was next on the list, according to our readers.

A spokesperson for the pub said staff were 'honoured and ecstatic' to be voted one of the best.

Staff also said they were 'over the moon, proud, and can't wait to win'. Another said: "'Where's the newspaper so I can vote?'"

The team aims to provide 'delicious and fresh home-cooked food for the local clientele and beyond'.

Staff at The Coach & Horses, managed by Fiona Beck, were 'delighted' and 'extremely pleased' customers feel they could be one of the best pubs in the area, despite having only been open since 2022.

READ MORE: Special guests open newly refurbished Coach and Horses in Hexham

The Coach & Horses pub (Image: The Coach & Horses)

"We would love it if guests would vote for us to win," Fiona said. "I am absolutely thrilled by it." 

The Coach & Horses beer garden (Image: The Coach & Horses)

The pub had a major refurbishment before opening with a £240,000 grant from Northumberland County Council and Historic England through the Hexham High Streets Heritage Action Zone scheme (HSHAZ).

Owner of The Crown Inn, David Harding, said the pub offers something 'different' to other pubs. 

The Crown Inn hosts various different events (Image: The Crown Inn)

"When you come in here, it's not like a normal pub. We try to stand out a little bit," he said.

The pub's most popular event is the annual Tractor Day which draws in the most crowds, David said.

The Crown Inn's garden (Image: The Crown Inn)

"We try and do something for everybody. We do car days and motorbike days outside, and inside we've got music nights, five pool teams, quiz nights so we try and provide something for everyone." 

The Halfway House, Prudhoe also featured on the list of best pubs. 

Richard Tulip owns the bar, and Claire Young is the manager of the Halfway House.

They said: "As a team, we feel honoured to have been nominated for the Best Pub award, we strive on making our pub family-friendly, including your fluffy members of the family. We also keep our prices low for meals and drinks due to the current living crisis. We want our customers to feel comfortable and welcomed to our pub."

The Tannery was also contacted for comment.

Hexham Courant readers can vote for their favourite finalist by picking up a copy of the newspaper.

Voting slips will be provided in the September 12 edition before voting closes the following week.

After this final voting stage has concluded, the winner will be crowned as the Hexham Courant's Best Pub 2024 in the edition published on September 26.