Pubs & Restaurants
There are excellent pubs, restaurants and hotels within 3-5 miles of Greystead Holiday Cottages serving a variety of good food ranging from traditional British to more bistro-style fare, as well as some Indian and Thai menus. Slightly further afield there are gastro pubs in Wark and Barrasford.
The nearest (3-5 miles)
The Pheasant InnStannersburn
"Warm, welcoming & friendly. A true home from home... Combines the character and charm of a traditional Coaching Inn, with oak beams and open fires. Our kitchen is open 7 days a week serving delicious, traditional British food."
The Blackcock Country Inn and RestaurantFalstone
An award-winning 17th century Inn (the'first and last' in England) traditionally built in local stone and situated in a picturesque village next to the stunning scenery and wildlife of Kielder Water & Forest Park. Serves traditional British food.
The Holly BushGreenhaugh
"Our menu is small, mainly home-made and sourced as locally as possible. It changes with the seasons. We offer private dining for up to 20 people, popular for parties and family get togethers. We have a children’s menu and can offer early bird suppers."
The Riverdale HotelBellingham
"Award winning cuisine ... a delightful gourmet experience. Our menu is devised on a daily basis using seasonal, local produce of the finest quality. The restaurant, as well as offering a truly international range of dishes, specialises in producing excellent regional fare."
The Cheviot HotelBellingham
"Deep in the heart of the North Tyne valley, in the village of Bellingham, Northumberland lies the recently re-furbished, updated and renovated Cheviot Hotel where the fantastic high standards are sure to entice guests and visitors from far and wide time and time again!"
Further afield (9-15 miles)
The BattlesteadsWark
"Nestling in the picturesque village of Wark ... we are a Pub, Hotel and Restaurant, passionate about our ales, beers and wines. We pride ourselves on serving locally sourced produce, complimented by our own home grown fruit and vegetables, prepared to an exceptional standard."
The Barrasford ArmsBarrasford
"Michael and Victoria have recently taken over the Barrasford Arms in June 2017 and will make you feel very welcome during your time there. Michael has a wealth of experience as a top chef. From starting out at his local Northumbrian pub as a pot wash, to working his way up at restaurants such as Fisherman's Lodge in Newcastle, and Bouchon in Hexham, before becoming the executive head chef at Slaley Hall Hotel, and most recently Malmaison Hotel in Dundee, Michael's simple, elegant and well cooked food fis full of flavour and will not disappoint."
Shopping & Arts
Hexham
The thriving and picturesque market town of Hexham (30 mins) has a full range of shops including the nearest supermarkets (Tesco, Waitrose and Marks and Spencer) Beale's department store, banks, butchers, delis and excellent shops for browsing including antiques, charity and interiors shops. There is a market every Tuesday and Farmers’ Market on the second and fourth Saturday in the month.
Corbridge
The market town of Corbridge on the Roman wall (35 mins) is smaller than Hexham, with a delightful market square and atmosphere. There is a well-known interiors shop, RE, the Corbridge Larder deli, designer clothes shops, the Corbridge Cookshop and Forum Books and Crafts.
Farm and country shops & stores
Just outside Corbridge is Brocksbushes Farm Shop, with pick your own fruit. The Blagdon estate near Newcastle also has farm produce, cheeses and other shopping. Kirkharle, birthplace of ‘Capability’ Brown, is now a visitor attraction with a café and shops ranging from home-made produce to locally produced soaps and art and crafts studios. Otterburn Mill specialises in Scottish knitwear and country clothing.
Music, Theatre, Cinema, Books and Festivals
Tarset is a vibrant and welcoming community. To participate in local events during your stay visit: www.tarset.co.uk. The Forum Cinema in Hexham (30 mins) is an exellent independent cinema with live screenings from the National Theatre etc., while the Queen’s Hall has theatre, exhibitions and a library. Hexham hosts a book festival in the spring and Hexham Abbey Music festival in late September. Both Alnwick (Barter Books in the old railway station) and Morpeth, as well as Hexham and Corbridge, have excellent indpeendent bookshops. Exceptional theatre and music are available at the Theatre Royal in Newcastle and the Sage Concert Hall in Gateshead, one of Europe's finest concert halls.
Arts & Crafts
Tarset has year-round Artists in Residence at High Green sponsored by Visual Arts in Rural Communities (VARC), whose widely different works in various media are all inspired by spending a year here. Visit www.tarset.co.uk/community/varc.cfmvarc.org.uk) for details of current exhibitions or activities.
A number of local and Northumbrian artists exhibit and sell their work, including:
Mary Ann Rogers
Original watercolour paintings, limited edition print, cards and gifts featuring birds, wildlife, farm and exotic animals as well as the hills and valleys of her native Northumberland.
Sarah Blackett-Ord
Whitfield Watercolours. My art work features plant and flower studies, architectural features, buildings and still lifes. Most of my subjects are local, from Whitfield in the West Allen Valley. I try to capture the changing seasons in the North Pennines.
Cheeseburn Grange
The grounds of Cheeseburn Grange provide a showcase for sculpture, design and art where the public can encounter new and established work in the setting of a Northumbrian historic house and gardens (open selected weekends/by appointment).