The Best Outdoor Terraces in the North East
With summer comes long lazy evenings to enjoy outdoors
Say When, Ponteland
The newest outpost of this hugely popular bar in Ponteland stretches over two floors with plenty of seating, but has a great terrace just perfect for soaking up the sunshine. Help yourself to your favourite wine from the self-service machine, or the new self-serve Guinness bar, order from the small plates menu and kick back and watch the world go by.
9 Bell Villas, Ponteland NE20 9BD
01661 824146
@saywhenbars
The Chapel, Middlesbrough
This family-run real ale bar in a converted chapel is known for its ‘hymn-board’ menu of craft beers. With pews forming the bar and original stained-glass windows, the quirky interiors make this popular with locals, but the dog-friendly beer garden and refreshingly different cocktail menu are also a big draw.
16 Whitehouse Street, Middlesbrough TS5 4BY
01642 214441
whitehousestreet.co.uk
Freight Island, Newcastle
This all-new drinking and dining rooftop space has just opened in Newcastle. The huge 60,000 square foot city-centre space, unlike anything in the North East to date, is destined to become a landmark food, music and cultural destination, complete with 12 kitchens, multiple bars and live DJs all in a sunny rooftop setting.
Eldon Square, Newcastle NE1 7JB
freightislandnewcastle.com
The Keepers, Matfen Hall
Sophisticated, relaxed and full of natural light, the Keepers at Matfen Hall has a huge first floor wrap-around balcony, and south-facing outdoor terrace, both with great views over the golf course. You don’t have to be a hotel guest or a golfer to enjoy the authentic stone-baked pizzas, steaks from the grill and all the classics with a contemporary twist, acompanied by an extensive wine list and local beers.
Matfen, Northumberland NE20 0RH
01661 886500
matfenhall.com
The Middle Inn, Bamburgh
This traditional, dog-friendly pub sits in the middle of Bamburgh village. Inside are two cosy bars but to the rear is a large, sheltered pub garden with its own bar. The menu is crammed with pub classics including house favourites served alongside local cask ales and spirits.
7 Front Street, Bamburgh NE69 7BW
01668 214616
themiddleinnbamburgh.co.uk
The Ox Inn, Middleton
A traditional pub with a hugely loyal clientele, this is where all the locals go when the sun is out. The pub’s cosy interior is complemented by a south-facing outdoor seating area which is a real sun-trap, the perfect place to savour something chilled. Family and dog friendly, the bar serves real ales, local gins and good wines by the glass, and whilst there is no kitchen (at the moment) there are regular visits from local food trucks so keep an eye on their Facebook and Instagram for your favourite.
Middleton, Morpeth NE61 4QZ
01670 708788
@ox_inn_
Sheepfolds Stables, Sunderland
Once home to more than 100 working horses for the Monkwearmouth Junction Line, this former stables is now a popular, dog-friendly hub with several bars, restaurants and grab-and-go foodie outlets, all centred around a large outdoor courtyard. Grab a drink from the Tap Room or Wine Bar next door and a pie from Propa before taking a seat in one of the outdoor cabins or in the partially-covered courtyard.
Easington Street, Sunderland SR5 1BA
0191 535 7005
sheepfoldsstables.co.uk
Dr.inks, Darlington
This converted townhouse on Coniscliffe Road is known for its quirky, cosy interiors but it also has a secret garden, the perfect place for catching up with friends. The innovative drinks menu includes signature cocktails, craft gin and beers, and the bottomless grazing boards are a great alternative dining experience.
3 Coniscliffe Road, Darlington DL3 7EE
01325 789206
@dr.inksdton
The Seaview, Saltburn-by-the-Sea
With a laid-back old-school Ibiza vibe, the open-air terrace here comes with jaw-dropping views across the dramatic coastline of Huntcliff, and there’s a state-of-the-art fish and chip shop on the ground floor for top-quality fish and chips by the seaside. If the weather doesn’t play ball then you still get the same incredible views from inside the restaurant where the menu is dictated by the local fishermen’s catch of the day.
The Foreshore Building, Lower Promenade, Salturn-by-the-Sea TS12 1HQ
01287 236015
theseaviewrestaurant.co.uk
The Boat Club, Durham
This riverside bar and eatery in an historic city centre building is spread over two floors. With panoramic views over Elvet Bridge, the river and its rowing boats below, the expansive, heated beer garden is naturally a huge draw. On the ground floor find the Boat Club’s bar, whilst the top floor is now home to a Tomahawk Steakhouse cooking up their famous Himalayan dry-aged steaks.
Elvet Riverside, Durham DH1 3AF
0191 386 6219
the-boat-club.com
Crusoe’s, Tynemouth
Down on Longsands beach, this family run beach-side café-cum-bar and restaurant serves everything from coffee to cocktails, and gyros wraps to fish and chips. Eat and drink with your toes in the sand, and keep an eye out for their special comedy and music nights.
Longsands Beach, Tynemouth NE30 4HH
0191 296 4152
crusoestynemouth.co.uk
The Dipton Mill Inn, Hexham
This lovely award-winning country pub, just five miles south of Hexham, is home to the Hexhamshire Brewery – so you know you’re going to be served a good pint to enjoy in their sunken garden beside the mill stream. At the bar there are real ales, wines from Corney & Barrow and great range of spirits, and the daily-changing blackboard menu has everything from soup to steaks.
Dipton Mill Road, Hexham NE46 1YA
01434 606577
diptonmill.co.uk
ABOVE, Newcastle
On the roof of Newcastle’s Vermont Hotel and boasting 360-degree views across the city’s skyline, this sophisticated space is the ideal spot to catch up with friends over cocktails. With regular DJ sets, and a Sky High Cinema Club showing iconic movies, plus bottomless brunches and afternoon tea, it’s a great place to style-out your summer.
Lower Dean Street, Newcastle NE1 3JE
0191 233 3734
abovenewcastle.com
The Crathorne Arms, Yarm
This lively village pub has a bar at one end and a dining area serving good food at the other. Full of character, the warm and welcoming pub also has a sun trap courtyard at the rear of the pub with a ‘Shack Out The Back’ area with a garden bar, tipi, wood-fired brick oven and grill for outdoor dining.
2 East Villa, Crathorne, Yarm TS15 0BA
01642 961402
thecrathornearms.co.uk
The Kings Arms, Berwick
This stylish hotel and bar boasts a medieval walled garden with a Saxon well which dates back to around 800AD. Inside is a well thought of restaurant but the beer garden has its own bar and outdoor pizzaiolo, it’s family and dog friendly too and over the summer holidays there is often a bouncy castle in the corner to keep the kids happy.
43 Hide Hill, Berwick, Northumberland TD15 1EJ
01289 331081
thekingsarms-berwick.co.uk
