The Cook and Barker Inn

The best Inn accommodation food wine ale all excellent staff excellent what more can you say why can’t more Pubs and Restaurants take a note from this very well managed Inn magnificent please don’t change a thing We were there to celebrate my wife’s birthday with some very good friends the evening was a total success and a breakfast fit for a King.

This was our third stay at the Cook and Barker and we'd grown very fond of this beautifully-positioned Northumberland inn, largely because of its comfortable rooms and, above all, its excellent food. This time (between Christmas and New Year 2024), though the room and chambermaid service were still excellent and a very effective electric fire was, on request, quickly provided to supplement the wholly inadequate central heating, we were disappointed to find that the dining experience had deteriorated. This was evident but less marked with my vegetarian and fish choices, but very striking for my meat-eating partner. The beef stroganoff on night one was poor enough in presentation (previously a trademark of the C&B) and taste - stewing steak with little flavour and no seasoning - for her to complain to our waitress. Interestingly, (1) no refund was offered but (2) observing another customer ordering the same dish two nights later, we saw something that looked very different - and seemed to satisfy the customer. Sunday dinner had previously been a speciality at the C&B, but this time the roast beef was overcooked, difficult to cut and swamped in gravy, robbing the goose-fat roasted potatoes of their texture and taste. Puddings (bought in rather than prepared on site?) and breakfasts were still fine and But, oh dear, what a falling-off in what was one of the best, in quality and value, dining experiences we'd ever come across at a British inn.

Probably the nicest Sunday roast I have ever experience out. We decided to eat here on our way to stay at Alnwick for the week and very impressed with the food all round. Portion sizes were very generous and food came out hot. Excellent service can't wait to return!

Cannot speak too highly of the Cook and Barker - friendly and welcoming staff, great food, comfortable accommodation . Lovely atmosphere in bar and restaurant with an amazing menu choice. Reasonably priced. Have stayed here a number of times since 2005 and never been disappointed.

Spent 3 nights here, had a very comfortable stay, room was very clean and comfortable. Breakfast was excellent with a large and varied choice. We ate dinner every night and the food was tasty, especially the pie and fish and chips. What makes this place exceptional is the staff, they are welcoming and couldn’t be more helpful. Location near the A1 is perfect for exploring Northumberland.

This place is lovely, visited quite a few times now. Nice bedrooms comfortable beds. Friendly and professional staff, an example, when a confused elderly lady came in who could not find her husband, Enid (who i think was in charge) got her coat and off she went up the road, with the lady to find the husband. The pub is smashing, the food is excellent, good lunchtime/ early bird meal. Of course we will be back.