There’s something appealing about sitting in a cosy pub during the autumn and winter, when all outside is cold and dark but inside there’s a warm fire and welcoming atmosphere.
Scattered across Teesside and its surroundings are many pubs whose history goes back a long way, or where important events have occurred.
Why not combine a cosy evening with some history in these great historic Teesside pubs?
The Cleveland Bay
Eaglescliffe
Perhaps the most celebrated historic Teesside pub at the moment. The Cleveland Bay has been recognised as the world’s oldest dedicated railway inn. The Cleveland Bay is just over the bridge from Yarm in Eaglescliffe and sits at three location of the former Yarm Branch goods depot built on the Stockton & Darlington Railway. It opened as the New Inn in 1825 and has just been awarded Grade II listed status because of its history and association with the S&DR.
Full of charm, character and real ale, it’s a great place to spend an evening.
George & Dragon
Yarm
S&DR plaque on the George & Dragon
Admittedly Yarm’s famous pubs are often busy and rowdy, rather than cosy. But find the right time (avoid weekend evenings) and you can still enjoy a quiet pint here.
The George & Dragon on Yarm High Street dates from mid-18th Century, but in more recent times (only 200 years ago) it was the location of a meeting which made progress on the building of the Stockton & Darlington Railway. A plaque outside marks the occasion.
Ship Inn
Saltburn
Photo (c) Dan Dunn
Nestled away between the beach and the land on Saltburn’s seafront, the Ship Inn is a historic hostelry that is much older than Saltburn itself.
This tiny little hamlet of cottages where the only settlement here until the Peases of Darlington developed the Victorian seaside resort and pier.
The Ship Inn was notorious as a den of smugglers.
The Half Moon
Darlington
Celebrated as Darlington’s oldest pub still in business, the Half Moon on Northgate has links with the Stockton & Darlington Railway, and has been serving locals for over 200 years.
Despite this, the pub is in danger of closure and is currently running a campaign to drum up more business. It is now a community asset, but the building needs lots of work.
More of a traditional pub, it has cosy spaces, real ales and regular live music.
Masham
Stockton-on-Tees
A tradition 18th century pub in the quiet village of Hartburn, which is now a part of Stockton-on-Tees. Whilst this is a popular restaurant, it also retains a cosy pub feel in this historic building.
Fox Covert Inn
Nr Ingleby Barwick
This pub has been a landmark on the road between Yarm and Ingleby Barwick for many years. Situated just at the top of Leven Bank, it comprises a row of former cottages and farm buildings.
Inside it is a traditional pub, with cost seating areas to enjoy a drink or food.
The Station
Picton
You might not have heard of the tiny village of Picton, near Yarm and Kirklevington, and down a country lane near the A19. This pub which serves the village (but is actually a little way out of the village) sits next to what was once the railway station; the line and station buildings are still there, but trains no longer stop.
The pub serves food and drink and is a cosy retreat from the bustle of nearby towns.
The Ship
Redmarshall
Photo (c) John Carter
Finally, this village pub at the heart of Redmarshall, near Stockton, is another historic Teesside venue, reputedly built out of 250-year-old ship timbers from the Tees in Stockton.
It is most recently famous for having possibly the world’s largest parmo menu – you can try all kinds of varieties of the famous Teesside dish. But at its heart it’s a lovely cosy pub to enjoy.
Which is your favourite Teesside pub for a cosy autumn or winter evening? Have we missed any historic pubs? Leave a comment below.