Castle Inn in Northumberland

We had a day trip to Bamburgh today and decided to give The Middle Inn a try. I opted for the beer battered fish and chips. Very disappointing, the fish was over cooked and didn’t taste fresh and the chips were standard frozen supermarket type. Surely fish and chips can’t be that difficult to cook. I wish we’d just gone to a fish and chip shop further down the coast at Seahouses it couldn’t have been worse than this offering. Also the place is crawling with dogs, alright if you like them but I hate them. Won’t be back ever.

No bookings being taken so we popped in at 5:30 , plenty of tables spare in the beer garden and a few indoors. Sat outside as still sunny. Ordered food and drinks at the bar. Drinks ice cold and food arrived , the middle inn burger myself and my son ate and was delicious, we had eaten it before we realised that the bacon was missing. Skin of fries lovely . The other meals , lasagna, vegetarian curry , gammon and sausage was all equally as good. Service spot on and very clean . Nothing is cheap now a days and maybe the burger should have come with coleslaw and onion rings maybe. Top tip of in the beer garden late, when the sun goes down the temp drops rapidly. Parking is the only issue but that is the same anywhere in Bamburgh.

It started to rain at lunchtime so we thought the pub might be full, but no, there was plenty of space in the Middle Inn. Dogs are welcome. There is a big extension out the back which families were using. The staff were friendly and the food came promptly. I had the chowder and it was the nicest soup I’ve had in years.

Bring the castle inn back! We’ve been coming here for over 30 years and the name change was bad enough but the staff in this place need some serious refreshment training in manners and customer service. It started well but after a mix up with the food ( maybe we ordered wrong, maybe it wasn’t heard properly ) but either way there’s a way to deal with things and shouting across the bar to my 6 month pregnant partner with a disability isn’t the answer. A couple of blokes came up to us after and said it was completely out of order for the woman to shout the way she did in front of about 15 other customers. We decided to leave it as Bamburgh is our home away from home and we weren’t going to let one person ruin this for us. Food was actually decent but it left a sour taste after this experience, we can only hope they see this post and the owner whoever that may be, acts upon this.

Visited on a Sunday, it was extremely busy and the only place we could sit was in the back room which is very noisy. I’ve been vegetarian for nearly 30 years and this was the best veggie roast dinner I’ve ever had. Excellent nut roast and the vegetables were beautifully cooked.

Had two meals here. Lots of comfy seating and nice outdoor area. Very dog friendly and nice chatty staff. The middle burger was really tasty. Highly recommend

We had fish and chips the fish was gorgeous but on the menu it said hand cut chips but the chips we had were frozen chips now don't get me wrong I enjoyed it but for £18.95 if it says hand cut it should be hand cut chips .

Stopped here for lunch and some drinks when visiting Bamburgh. There is a good selection of food and “proper” pub vibes inside. It is very dog friendly and there are treats that can be bought from the bar too. A great outside seating area. Would recommend.

Booked a table for Sunday lunch while having a weekend break in Seahouses. The staff are really accommodating and helpful, couldn’t have been more welcoming. Sunday roasts are excellent, horseradish sauce to accompany the beef was the best I’ve tasted. Dessert menu was first class, can recommend the lemon meringue

came here as we were stopping the night in bamburgh friendly staff great food and dog friendly with a beer garden what more do you want

A friendly welcome on a cold & wet day! Warm wood burning stoves and great coffee too. Our dog was welcomed too. Staff were so nice.

We came here last October, and whilst we enjoyed the atmosphere and the drinks, the food was quite frankly appalling. Arriving at Bamburgh last Sat we popped in for a drink and noticed the food going out looked a whole heap better. So, we risked sandwiches at lunch and they were fresh and lovely. We have had two further meals there since, and both were very good. In particular, the seafood sharing platter which two of us shared was excellent. It is now under new management and if you've had a bad experience with the food before, suggest you give it another go. Reasonable prices, and can also have small plates if you don't fancy a full meal. Staff very friendly.

The last time we were in Bambrugh the inn was called the Castle inn and the food was excellent as we never had a bad meal there and we’ve had a few, but it has now changed to the Middle inn the food is overpriced for what can only be described as cafe food. We had the chicken tikka but the cuts of meat were not good quality. Will not be returning any time soon for food.

Stayed here this weekend, we nearly cancelled due to really bad comments on face book. Im glad we didnt food was great, the staff where amazing friendly and helpful, our room was lovely. We will definately be back. Great weekend thank you

Called in for a drink and chill on way back from the beach. Lovely warm welcoming atmosphere. Dig made most welcome, beer good, every member of team was warm kind and friendly. So much so e booked to have an evening meal there. Partner had the fish and chips (well it was Friday) and I went for beanburger and chips ( other veg options sold out)z For the money charged the burger and chips was pitiful. I’d go so far as to say prepared by someone who is unhappy in their work. Don’t get me wrong the food was edible. Just massively over priced for what it was.

Wow this place has really gone down hill fast, This was our go to place for birthdays and special days for many years and was always a real treat, Bad canteen food at gastro pub prices.

We booked to eat here based on the Google reviews. Whatever has been written prior to today Ignore it. The food was just edible. The pictures on the website are inaccurate eg the pie was some stewed steak with a little bit of pastry stuck on the top, and the chips were frozen, and the mashed potato was the worst I have ever tasted ! What added to the pain was the price of the food was more than it should be for basic pub food, which I would've paid if it tasted good, but it didn't. The only redeeming feature is the barman and the waitress were warm and welcoming, and it is clearly not their fault that the food comes out of the kitchen is so inadequate. Go to this place for a drink but avoid the food at all costs.

Always liked this pub. It’s in a great spot in Bamburgh and the beer garden in the summer is a real sun trap. The staff on this visit were really friendly and helpful. No complaints as the customer service was excellent. The food was just average. Wasn’t bad, just wasn’t good either. Visit for a beer, but don’t except anything special with the food. Basically a Wetherspoons meal. 🏰🍻

After a lovely walk along the beach, we decided to go for a light lunch and drink, we called into the castle inn, it wasn’t busy, but there were still tables that had not been cleared of plates etc we made our way to the bar to order our food. There were two female staff behind the bar, we asked for a menu, we were handed menus, I asked the younger girl (dark hair, didn’t know how to smile) what the soup of the day was, she told me to “look on the specials board” not the response or customer service I was expecting, she was very rude in her attitude towards us, because of this we decide just to have a drink, we ordered drinks and when she almost banged my coffee onto the bar, the coffee spilled down the cup and onto the saucer, she did not seem to care, at no point did she smile and we were made to feel most unwelcome. If this is the best service they can offer in very quiet periods, then I would strongly recommend to avoid this venue, unless you want your day ruined. The staff member needs some serious training, if she wants a career in hospitality.We do live local and try and support all the local businesses, however there is no need for rudeness and bad attitudes.

Went there around 7 o'clock in the evening for dinner and a drink. There were a few fables occupied so finding a table to sitcatcwas not a problem. Staff behind the bar served us our drinks and took our meal order though it gas to be said with very little enthusiasm. Whilst we were eating we noticed that all the lights in the lounge dining area were switched as there were no longer any customers there. This would be shortly after 7.30. The food we had chosen was well presented and cooked and we certainly had no issues. As we sat waiting for a member of staff to clear our main course plates a member if staff came round and switched off the coal effect fire. Later another member if staff arrived to clear our plates and ask if everything was ok. She promptly left but made no effort to ask if we wished to see the menu for desserts. It was clear by the attitude if the staff that they could not wait for us and the remaining customers to leave. We paid our bill and left around 8.20. Although the food was very good the attitude if the staff and kack if customer service means that we are very unlikely to return.

Very friendly pub which serves well cooked pub food. We all had fish cakes - they were brilliant. A test for us the quality of chips served. The chips get 5 stars on their own.

Honestly couldn’t believe how friendly the staff were to everyone. It is incredibly hard to find an establishment where the staff are smiling, happy to chat and seem really happy at work. Food was lovely. Had a meal from the specials board and something from the main menu. Felt like home cooked pub food which was very comforting on a snowy cold Decembers day!

We had a lovely meal here tonight mince tatties dumplings with mash and peas Other meal steak and kidney pie Both very tasty and generous portions good homely winter food sitting by an open fire

Great food and service, a real good end to our two night veterans stay at Seahouses. Will use again. H

Why have they changed the beer in the Middle?The pub has recently been taken over by new owners who obviously have not consulted with the few regulars about changing the beer.Poor alternatives and it is now a race to the bottom for the saddest pub in the village.The staff as always are lovely people.

Ordered the Fish and chips and Steak and Kidney pie. Oven chips barely cooked, fish not bad. The pie mash and peas very poor quality, putting lines in the mash with a spoon doesn’t help the quality and it was also cold. Not particularly cheap for the standard. Had better in Wetherspoons 😔

Do yourself a favour and don’t eat here. The food in this pub is absolutely awful. We ordered burger and chips and when it came we couldn’t believe it. The chips were frozen, undercooked and pale, the peas were awful and the burger was slapped in a bun with a square of really cheap unmelted cheese on top of it and some limp lettuce. It had absolutely no taste to it at all, was cheap and awful and we only ate it because we were hungry and there wasn’t anywhere else to go. It cost us £48 for two meals and two drinks and that isn’t cheap. Not sure what’s happened as we came here a few years ago and it was really nice food. The people on the next table ordered gammon and chips and scampi. They were all looking at each other in disbelief. If you can’t serve up a decent burger and cook some edible chips then it really is time to give up but guess it’s the old “get them in once” and take their money. We won’t be going back. Terrible, terrible food.

Loved the ambience ,friendly service, tartan carpet and great beers ! My wife and I were made to feel very welcome by the owner/landlady on our visit. The food that was being served looked delicious. Very handy to walk down to the Castle.

Call in have a pint or two but don't order food. I had the burger and to be honest it was appalling. Obviously pre cooked and reheated. If you are the chef in the kitchen and you went to college please do yourself a favour and leave this place you can do better.

Been here many times before over the years and always been very busy with good well cooked food and great service. We visited on 2nd Oct 23 with family party of 9, including 4 children, for lunch. Thought it odd the place was deserted but...

We have a caravan here and the food has never been amazing. Family basics, but quick and cosy. However we went last night after being warned that the food had really gone down hill - lesson learned - and my gosh! It was dreadful. Anaemic...

What a let down. Used to be good (been here many times over the years) but not for a couple of years. First shock was £7.30 for a glass of Merlot, then £15.95 for 10 pieces of scampi, frozen chips and a few peas &...

Sad decline of this once great eating house and pub. The manageress is lovely and always has a smile and a welcome.she has worked here a while and is the only thing going for the place. Sadly that's where it ends... the waiting staff walk...

Great food and drinks but we’re put on separate tables. When brought to our table we were told there was a six person table but put onto two separate tables.

4 of us booked here for lunch. Had lasagne, scampi, fish n chips, soup with tuna jacket All 4 of us thought food was perfect, lovely surroundings first class service from manager Emma and barman Harvey, we will be back soon , thank you everyone...

We have frequented the Castle for many years whilst on holiday in the area and the food has always been very good. Sadly, since the change of ownership it has really gone downhill. The expensive fish and chips is half the size it used to...

Fantastic place. The Classic Fish soup is full of chunky pieces of all sorts of fish and a super tasty broth. Was so good that I returned the next day fort he same. Placéis super popular due to great foods and wines at really good...

I really would have (not unreasonably) expected much more. The three meals we ordered all felt like they had been freshly delivered from Iceland! The sausages were very cheap and nasty. And to think they are only about three doors down from a good quality...

Very average food and ok service. Not much is fresh and cooked without much love but nothing was bad. Rear garden great if you have a dog and if you don’t like dogs then you can go inside. Just mediocre typical quick pub lunch.

This inn has a lot of room and a big garden, but they get a lot of dogs you just can’t get away from them. The noise is deafening. The steak and kidney pie was soggy and not very nice. Even the waitress agreed she...

I ordered the castle Inn burger in a flavoured bun, what came was anything but that for £15:95 you would expect something half decent but what I got was a burger with no flavour a piece of iceberg lettuce a piece of bacon and a...

Great service came with family. Food was very nice. We had the fish and chips really nice lovely view. Staff are very lovely there was a lovely waitress called Taylor helped us with directions and changing one of the meal orders for us on the...

Had fond memories of this place and the menu had things on that we both liked. However I was rather disappointed with both the service and the meal. Huge chip in the china on my plate for a start, plus the fact the meal came...

Never seen more miserable staff newly turned my one pint before we left No one wanted to eat For the price staff should be paid enough and trained in such an important role!

We stopped here this evening for a meal and let's just say out of the three pubs on this road... We choose the wrong one. I had the supposedly smoked haddock fishcakes, they were awful and not real fish more like mushed fish paste. The...

We called up last minute to find somewhere to eat. Many places are fully booked in the summer season or stop serving very early. We were met with the phrase 'of course we can get you some food, pop over when you are ready and...

Used to like the good value pub grub here. Disappointed to find the standards of quality in the service and food have dropped with the change in owners. Food quality wasn’t great, high prices, very small portions, the veggie main course particularly tasteless. Service erratic...

Went to meat friends for some lunch, if you're going save your money, the food was over pri especially and terrible. My wife had the burger, seen better McDonald's, and I hate them.I had the gammon steak, mostly fat, and for £15.98 disgusting, you get...

The front of the pub is the old part of the building and it’s lovely. We had lunch in there. Crab sandwiches and they were very nice. The rear of the pub is a modern extension and a beer garden. When we called in for...

Very impressed! Staff were very friendly and it’s genuinely dog friendly. I had lasagne and it was very tasty. Would highly recommend. I’m an OAP and went in on my own with my cocker spaniel. I was made to feel welcome which is more than...

Was really impressed with this pub. Don't expect fine dining - it's pub grub, but it's really tasty and good portion sizes. My daughter and I went for dinner and although they had a large party of 25 arrive at the same time we did,...

We have been visiting the Middle house for many years and have never been disappointed until this time I know things have gone up but the prices were a bit over the top and the portions have. become smaller food was OK but I think...

Visited twice in the week on two very different days. Day 1 was with my dad and a lovely day sat in the beer garden. Day 2 was with my wife sat inside (due to rain) for food. The menu looked ok, but when the...

Nice pub! Lovely interior and big beer garden. Food was really disappointing, so much so we left hungry because we just couldn’t finish our meals. Incredibly overpriced too! Definitely don’t recommend for a decent pub meal. Probably the worst I’ve had.

If you want good food & service with a smile then I would give this place a wide berth . This was a large family booking as part of a long weekend in bamburgh . Queued at the disorganised bar to take our drink &...

The worst place I have ever been to, the owner/chef should be ashamed of themselves. The food they send out of the kitchen is diabolical, inedible, tasteless and you’d be better buying a ready meal from a supermarket than eating here. The fact this pub...

First of all booked this place day before for Sunday lunch with an outside table and left my phone number when we arrived table inside that was OK only to tell us at 2.45 that run out of roasts so had to order of main...

Visited on a hot Wednesday. Plenty tables in beer garden, but was busy and staff appeared to have trouble locating table numbers-was a lot of wandering around with meals looking for table numbers. Lot of old tables piled up and several new garden chairs, making...

Really helpful staff clean, food hot and plentiful My mum is a wheelchair user, plenty of room to get her in and out . Staff very helpful and accommodating

Sat in the sun in the beer garden, great crab sandwiches. Very pleasant staff . Gets very busy, soon fills up. Last visited 7 years ago

Barman ‘Robbie’ was abrupt and rude. We ordered a beer and a double Jack Daniels and coke. The Jack Daniels was virtually just coke. When we questioned him about it and asked to pour the proper amount for a ‘double’ that we just paid six...

Visited last May Bank Holiday so as you can imagine it was busy inside but we got a table no problem. Collected drinks from the bar and sat down, almost instantly I could hear a kids tablet blaring cartoons from the nearby table and it...

This place has been an old favourite of ours for many years but sadly something has changed, and the food was not up to scratch, some dishes didn’t arrive as described eg no onion rings with steak, steak requested medium rare was well done &...

This a family friendly restaurant for a casual night out. The waiters are very friendly and it is warm and cosy, I definitely recommend this restaurant

Lovely spot but…. When ordering our food, the barman was extremely rude, quite abrupt and kept sniffing very disgustingly. Ordered steak sandwiches and they had no relish, salad, nothing, just steak. Very plain and bland. My kippers were possibly microwaved too. Won’t go again.

I've been there for a wedding celebration. We had a secluded room which was big enough with a sitting and dancing area and had direct access to the beer garden outside. Short walking distance to the castle and hotels nearby.

Best lunch we have had for a while mushroom stroganoff and Cumberland sausage ,mash,carrots ,peas and onion gravy both red hot and well cooked could not fault.Also very pleasant barman friendly and helpful.The beer garden is very large and good seating.A gem of a pub.Cannot...

Had the sunday dinner, excellent. only drawback we ate outside and it did get cold quickly but that was the weather in general on the day. I had the pork dinner and got loads of meat and pork crackling. sold john smiths so i was...

Loads of room, and an extensive menu. But my curry was very bitter, and my friend's bouillabaisse was the size of a starter/taster.

A blatant example of a pub taking advantage of a popular tourist attraction. Visited today for Sunday lunch before a visit to Bamburgh Castle. £13.95 per person for Sunday lunch. Basically 'Iceland' quality frozen Yorkshire puddings and roast potatoes, tinned peas, caterers' mash, Bisto style...

On a night when I could have had a microwave meal for one (food of the lonely) I rocked up to this place and couldn’t have been made more welcome. Friendly staff, nothing too much trouble. Decent traditional pub fayre. I had the burger which...

The front older part of the pub has lots of charm, staff are great. As you walk in, the left hand side allows dogs in, which is great if it chillier and you don’t want to eat outside. It’s a popular pub, and families seem...

A beautiful sunny day so decided to meet a friend for a late lunch. These days Bamburgh is a very popular and busy location. Parking is of a premium but there are plenty of long stay carparks close by. I had eaten at the Castle...

Came out for a meal here whilst on a weekend to Bamburgh. The food was great, so much so we came again on another night! The fish and chips , steak pie and chocolate cake were great and good sized portions.

Booked for 3 of us after visiting the church and was so disappointed the food was mediocre at best, too many mistakes and just a poor execution of cooking no thought process involved

We arrived at lunch time, got a good table near the lovely fire. Drinks were fine, staff nice. Hubby got the haggis special, he said it was nice. I got the lasagne. It was unreal? It was mince, gravy, pasta and thick cheese on top??...

Our first night in Bambrough we ate at the castle inn very mundane food and the mashed potato was like smash only got peas with the lamb chops too very disappointing

We visit whenever in the village. We really like it. In the summer, the beer garden is a dog-fest. We lost ours a couple of years ago so this is very therapeutic. The bar is also dog friendly. The beers/wines are good, the food more...

We have been here many times but found our two visits disappointing. The first night we had a warm welcome and the food was ok - we both had lasagne. The second night I ordered vegetarian chilli which I have had many times - when...

Went for lunch at the Castle Inn. Have always had good meals before especially from the Specials board. My husband ordered Black pudding, haggis, mash and turnip. Firstly it came the same time as his starter so had to be sent back as his main...

Best crab sandwiches in the area. Friendly staff , good service. Good atmosphere. Always first choice lunch stop.

Exceptionally well cooked food and friendly atmosphere Ideal for all the family. Staff are helpfull friendly and curtious.

We ate an evening meal here three times during our weeks stay in Bamburgh. There was a very good choice on the menu. Plus specials on the chalkboard. Food was of very good quality and quick efficient service. Extremely well-kept draught Guinness. Shiraz wine also...

Stopped in for lunch after visiting Holy Island. We both had the soup of the day that tasted very good. You order and pay at the bar. The service was prompt and the staff very friendly.

We visit here every time we’re in Bamburgh it’s probably our favourite pub! The beer is always good and the service is great. There’s often a queue, but the bar staff work so hard to get people served as quickly as possible. I think some...

Great food. Good value for money. Meats are local. Good steak, seafood lasagna fabulous. Friendly staff.

Stopped here for lunch and was not disappointed. My wife had the steak and kidney pie and declared it "better than my Mum makes". It was. Full of meat and not a gravy slop that many places try to offer. I had the lasagne which...

Had a meal here on one night and food was excellent. Sat in the garden at the rear. Would recommend.

We had the scampi and chips and the bangers and mash. Scampi was really nice, chips were ok. Banger was very nice. A bit of a mix up with ordering and paying for our food at the bar was soon rectified by the helpful staff...

We were stuck for somewhere to eat in Bamburgh having failed to booked ahead, so we thought we’d give The Castle Inn a go. First impressions weren’t great - the Inn is a bustling, busy pub with lots of families with kids, dogs and loud...

My wife and I ate at the Castle Inn 3 times during our 4 night stay in Bamburgh and we were really impressed with Byron and his staff. Both the food and service was excellent and very competitively priced compared with places in the village....

We went here after a bad experience with a pub eating house in Beadnell (The Crapser Arms) - what a pleasure to be served by polite people who were efficient and quick in their delivery. The food was good and hearty and it knocked spots...

The Castle has a huge indoor and lovely outdoor area to dine. We ate there twice as the home cooked food was delicious and really well priced compared to other places in town. The staff were friendly and the service was great.

Ah, we have been coming a couple times a year for 10 years... we love sitting in the garden and having a sarnie lunch ...or soup...or what ever! Nice cold beer and share the chips! I keep mentioning the tables and chairs need a refresh...

Great pub food, good quality and value - especially when compared with the other pubs in the village. Had scampi, served red hot, and the gammon - served with both egg and pineapple! Would defo visit again

Food was terrible felt ill after eating here. All deep fat fried and greasy. Had fish and chips and and mushy peas. The peas were the best thing on the plate

Would highly recommend eating here there were 6 of use all having something different , everyone enjoyed their food and the portions were large. we were welcomed by lovely polite and helpful staff , told about the specials board and,the food was brought out within...

Came here for food and drinks. The pub is in a brilliant location, staff pleasant and drinks at a good price. There is a large beer garden out the back which is lovely in the sun. However the food is average and overpriced. The curry...

Good selection of food, catered for our varied diets, and some real ale too. Clean and tidy pub. A little queue at the bar but can easily be solved with two extra bar staff on a busy day.

Just popped in for a beer en route to a restaurant. Beer excellent, staff very pleasant. Worth a visit!