Best Beer Gardens in Hexham

When the sun comes out over the Tyne Valley, Hexham and its surroundings reward the outdoor drinker handsomely. From terraced hillside views to a garden crossed by a mill stream, here are the best beer gardens in and around Hexham.

Dipton Mill Inn

About a mile and a half south of Hexham along Dipton Mill Road, the Dipton Mill Inn is the tap pub for Hexhamshire Brewery. The beer garden is accessed via a small bridge over the mill race and runs alongside the water in a tranquil, sheltered setting. Ideal for families and dogs, and the Hexhamshire ales are in excellent condition. Saturday curry night is a local institution.

The Rat Inn, Anick

A mile north-east of Hexham in the hamlet of Anick, The Rat Inn occupies one of the best viewpoints in the Tyne Valley. The terraced beer garden commands spectacular panoramic views across the town and the river valley below. The food is a serious draw — it has been on the Estrella Damm Top 50 Gastropubs list for many years. One of the finest places in Northumberland to sit with a pint on a warm evening.

Coach and Horses

The Coach and Horses on Priestpopple is a former coaching inn with one of the most appealing outdoor spaces in central Hexham: a beautiful walled garden with its own outside bar. Sheltered and characterful, it's a popular spot on a sunny afternoon. Six en-suite rooms upstairs make it a good base too.

The Grapes Hotel

Tucked into St Mary's Chare, The Grapes is a traditional community pub with a compact walled garden to the rear — a quiet outdoor retreat in the middle of town.

The Heart of Northumberland

The Heart of Northumberland is a Grade II listed pub in the centre of Hexham with plans for a beer garden and events space at the rear — one to watch as the refurbishment matures. Inside, it already pours at least five real ales including beers from Allendale and Wylam breweries.