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Cumberland Arms, Newcastle

Sometimes you find a pub and all you want to do is stay for the rest of the afternoon, taking in the full atmosphere from the fixture in the corner to the full list of speciality ciders to the view overlooking Newcastle.

Cumberland Arms is such a place, and while I would have loved to have stayed for the rest of the day, if not the weekend, my travel companion had other plans, and so I stayed for a pint of the darkness along with this brie and sun blushed tomato toasted ciabatta.

A healthy proportion with a nicely understated goat cheese and melody of olives over fresh baby spinach, they were also quite known for their Sunday suppers, which was heavier dose of gravy and puddings. A side of chips with spicy mayo was also light and substantial, and discovering now that Cumberland Arms is also a B&B, I will fully take in their extensive chalkboard menu of ciders on my next visit.


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