CAMRAmble No.3 – Gosforth to Ouseburn

CAMRAmble No.3 – Gosforth to Ouseburn

On a damp and overcast February afternoon a group of 18 members enjoyed a branch ramble starting at the Three Mile Hotel in on the Great North Road at Gosforth and concluding at the Free Trade Inn adjacent to the river Tyne at Ouseburn. The 6 mile route followed tarmacked pathways and muddy paths along the Ouse Burn mainly through Jesmond Dene. Along the way we visited a selection of pubs serving real ale.

The Three Mile Hotel has been completely rebuilt and extended in recent years and has a substantial outside drinking area. We were confined to the comfortably appointed interior where the Tyneside Blonde (3.9% a.b.v.) from Hadrian Border brewery was on top form.

Not long after midday most of us were sat ready for a light meal in the Victory at South Gosforth, but some of the group and new arrivals had decided to visit the nearby Brandling Villa. I can’t resist a fish finger buttie & chips accompanied by a pint of Oakham – Citra (4.2%)

Crossing the busy road interchanges the most interesting part of the walk lay before us. A 2 ½ mile walk through Jesmond Deane where the Ouse Burn was in full flow. Despite the drizzle there was much conversation and good spirits as we made our way to the Last Resort, a new micro-pub on Heaton Road. Opened December 2024, this former catering shop has a variety of free standing tables & chairs giving it a cosy atmosphere. I admired the various wall hung photos of Newcastle pubs whilst enjoying High Tide (6.0%) from North Pier Brew Co. in Sunderland.

As most of the walk was now over, we joked that the next part of our day out was now more akin to a pub crawl of some of the best pubs of Ouseburn. The Cumberland Arms is a firm favourite of mine and we all gathered in one of its traditional and unspoilt rooms to enjoy the real ales on offer. Macclesfield based Redwillow Brewery produce many beers and I enjoyed Weightless (4.2%) made with 100% Mosaic hops.

By contrast the Ship Inn, just 5 minute’s walk across the Ouseburn, was bustling with customers eagerly anticipating the start of a Six Nations Rugby match. It was each person to their own to find a space to sit or perch as the busy bar staff buzzed behind the bar where a good selection of ales were available. I enjoyed locally brewed Anarchy, X-Ray Eyes (5.1%)

The Free Trade Inn is a unique former Scottish & Newcastle pub with wonderful views of the Tyne bridges and both Newcastle and Gateshead quaysides. It was fitting that our walk concluded here as I’m sure some will have stayed for some time to enjoy the huge selection of real ales available. I was delighted that they were serving Allendale Brewery, Anvil (5.5%), a beer I had tried bottled and was eager to find in cask. It was full-bodied, very fruity and a delight to drink.

I am anticipating that our next CAMRAmble will be somewhere south of the river Tyne in May. Please keep a look out on the branch diary and I hope that you can join us for what be yet another enjoyable day sampling some of the fine real ales available in our branch area.

Tara-a-bit !

@MorpethWolf