The Ship Inn

Is this old whitewashed Northumbrian inn a pub-lover's paradise? Its location by the beach is perfect for long walks along the unspoiled coast, the village green is adjacent for outdoor pints, there's a real fire for winter-warming, and an accomplished microbrewery for great ale all year round. Dogs are welcome (though if noisy, they'll be politely but firmly asked to sit outside), there's regular folk music too, and the interiors are all rough-hewn stone walls, wooden floorboards and fairy lights.

From the snack selection (fancy olives, Sesame Snaps, bars of Green & Black’s chocolate) to the impressive output from the little kitchen, it's clear that owner Christine Forsyth cares deeply about food. The specials board might include handmade Moroccan vegetable pies and bratwurst in a pretzel bun with sauerkraut and crispy onions but the highlight of the main lunch menu are the sandwiches stuffed full of brilliantly fresh local crabmeat. The ploughman's with locally made seeded sourdough is also a treat.

In the evenings, the options are a little heartier – ribeye steak with red onion marmalade, crispy potatoes and salt-and-vinegar greens is the headline act, although Saturday night is all about pies. Made all the better with a pint of their subtly salty Sea Dog stout.