The dog-friendly Northumberland Arms is in West Thirston, across the River Coquet from Felton.
There’s parking just opposite and some outdoor tables by the river. It’s a great choice if you’re after an evening meal that’s a bit nicer than standard pub food. We visited with our two children and our Golden Retrievers.
The staff welcomed the dogs right away, but what really stood out to us was the quality of the food. Prices were similar to other Northumberland pubs, but the cooking was clearly a cut above. If you’re going to be staying in Northumberland with a dog, it’s definitely worth checking out the Northumberland Arms.
Yes, the Northumberland Arms is very dog-friendly. The staff made a fuss over our dogs, asked their names and ages, and brought a water bowl to our table without us even asking. There was plenty of space for the dogs to settle next to and under the table, and both of them eventually fell asleep.
We first spotted the Northumberland Arms after a visit to the Running Fox in Felton. It’s just across the road.
The pub started out as a coaching inn built by Hugh Percy, the 3rd Duke of Northumberland, back in the 1820s. Its stone front still looks just like a classic village pub.
It shows up on just about every list of dog-friendly places to dine in Northumberland, so we decided to give it a try.
We got there around 6 pm with our two kids and the dogs. We’d booked a table, but it turned out we didn’t need to. The car park across the road had lots of spaces, and the pub was really quiet.
The old bar area has thick stone walls, soft lighting, and a big horseshoe-shaped bar. We were welcomed right away and taken through to the conservatory.
We didn’t even have to ask for water. The staff brought a bowl to our table, asked their names and ages, and made a real fuss of them. They seemed genuinely pleased to see the dogs, and there was a real excitement about their arrival.
We only saw one other dog there. Our two had plenty of space next to and under our table, and both settled down comfortably.
A handy update: the Northumberland Arms now has a doggie menu listed on its website.
At first, I was a bit disappointed. I’d imagined us in the cosy old pub with a fire, but apart from a quick walk through to take some photos, the dogs and we didn’t really spend any time in that part of the building.
But once we sat down, the disappointment faded. The conservatory was big, modern, and full of light, with a great view of the road and village. There was loads of space for two kids and two big dogs.
Explore Northumberland With Your Dog
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This felt more like a high-end gastropub than your usual pub food. The restaurant had a bit of a Michelin-star vibe, with well-chosen ingredients and thoughtful presentation.
Main courses in Northumberland usually cost about £15 to £22. The Northumberland Arms was in that range, with the pork chop at £25, but the food really felt a step above.
The breads and spreads (£9.50) included sourdough with burnt leek butter, focaccia with tomato tapenade, and baguette with roast garlic aioli. Everything was delicious.
We tried the crispy cod cheeks (£9.50). They were delicate, looked great, and tasted amazing, but they were tiny. We got four pieces, each about the size of chicken nugget, small, but packed with flavour and something completely new for us.
The bone-in pork chop with burnt apple, red cabbage, mash, and mustard sauce was fantastic. You could tell a skilled chef had cooked everything. That pork chop alone would make me want to come back.
The slow-cooked lamb shoulder pie was rich and indulgent, a real treat. Our son chose the Blagdon beef burger, and our daughter went for chicken nuggets and chips. We all left happy.
Our food came out after about 20 minutes. The staff checked in on us but never hovered, which helped keep the evening relaxed.
The conservatory got busier as more families arrived, but it never felt crowded. It’s a really big area. Since we were in the extension, we couldn’t really tell how busy the bar area got.
Having the car park right across the road made it easy to get two kids and two dogs inside.
The pub says there’s disabled parking and a ramp available. Some rooms also accept dogs, and you can get a basket and welcome pack for an extra charge. Just check when you book, as not every room is dog-friendly.
Yes, without hesitation.
We missed the cosy old bar at first, but the conservatory quickly won us over.
What stands out most is the quality of the food for the price. Other pubs charge about the same, but this felt like a real restaurant meal. Try the pork chop. I’d get the lamb pie again, and we’d all love to try the Sunday lunch.
Most importantly, the staff brought water for the dogs, made a fuss of them, and gave us space to enjoy our evening. We’d happily visit again.
For more places we’ve visited with our dogs, browse our Northumberland dog-friendly blog for pubs, cafés, walks, beaches and days out.
