The Oldest Pubs in Morpeth

Morpeth has been a market town since the thirteenth century, and where there are markets, there are inns. The town's position on the Great North Road between Newcastle and Edinburgh made it a natural stopping point for travellers, and the coaching inns of Bridge Street were among the most important in Northumberland. Several survive to this day, some in remarkably good condition, and together they tell the story of a town that has been welcoming visitors for centuries.

Here are the oldest pubs still serving in Morpeth.

Pleased to Meet You (Queens Head)

Pleased to Meet You on Bridge Street occupies what is almost certainly the oldest pub building in Morpeth — the Queens Head coaching inn, which dates back to 1656. This Tudor-fronted building served travellers on the Great North Road for over three centuries, and the ground floor still retains its original leaded windows from when the proprietor Mrs Temple extended the building in 1877. The inn has a romantic footnote too: Bessie Surtees is said to have stayed here overnight after eloping with her lover.

After standing boarded up since 2013, the building was beautifully restored and reopened as Pleased to Meet You — a bar, restaurant, tearoom, and boutique hotel from the team behind the award-winning Newcastle venue of the same name. The renovation has been sympathetic, breathing new life into one of Morpeth's most important historic buildings.

Best for: The Queens Head coaching inn, dating to 1656. Morpeth's oldest pub building, now beautifully restored.

---

The Black Bull

The Black Bull on Bridge Street is a Grade II listed building from the early nineteenth century, but the name has an even longer history — an inn called the Black Bull has stood at this location since at least the 1730s, making it one of the longest-running pub sites in Northumberland. The current building occupies a prominent corner position on Bridge Street overlooking the River Wansbeck. It has the feel of a proper town pub: cask ales, a warm welcome, and the kind of unhurried atmosphere that encourages you to stay for one more. The Grade II listing recognises both its architectural significance and its importance to the fabric of the town.

Best for: Grade II listed. An inn called the Black Bull has stood here since at least the 1730s.

---

The Waterford Lodge

The Waterford Lodge on Castle Square is an eighteenth-century coaching inn that has been beautifully preserved. Its position by the River Wansbeck, close to Carlisle Park and Morpeth Railway Station, made it an ideal stopping point for travellers approaching from the south. The building retains much of its Georgian character, with a handsome frontage and proportions that speak to an era when coaching inns were among the grandest buildings in any market town. Today it operates as a pub and hotel, offering a comfortable base for visitors exploring the town and the surrounding Northumberland countryside.

Best for: An eighteenth-century coaching inn on the River Wansbeck, retaining its Georgian character.

---

The Joiners Arms

The Joiners Arms on Wansbeck Street has been serving ale and good conversation since 1871. Nestled on the south bank of the River Wansbeck overlooking the weir, it is one of the most atmospheric pubs in the town. The name reflects the strong tradition of trades and craftsmen in Morpeth's history — the joiners were among the most important of the town's guilds. The pub has a riverside beer garden that comes into its own in summer, and the welcome is warm and genuine year-round.

Best for: A riverside pub since 1871, overlooking the Wansbeck weir.

---

The White Swan

The White Swan on Newgate Street is one of Morpeth's most traditional pubs. The White Swan name has a long history in English pub culture — it was one of the most common inn signs in the country — and Morpeth's version has been a fixture of the town for generations. It is known for live music and a characterful, unpretentious atmosphere that draws a loyal local crowd. If you want to see Morpeth at its most convivial, this is a good place to start.

Best for: One of Morpeth's most traditional pubs, known for live music and a loyal local following.

---

Tap and Spile

The Tap and Spile on Manchester Street may not have the longest history as a building, but it has earned its place among Morpeth's most respected pubs through sheer dedication to real ale. It has been regularly awarded Pub of the Year by CAMRA Northumberland, and the quality of its cask ales is the reason most people walk through the door. A traditional drinkers' pub in the best sense — no frills, no screens, just well-kept beer and good company.

Best for: CAMRA Northumberland Pub of the Year. The serious drinker's choice in Morpeth.