The Kings Head Hotel is a place I came across when having a drive out in the country one day a few years ago.
It can be found overlooking the cobbled town square in the rural village of Allendale, in Northumberland, and has been there since the late 17th century.
We first drove into Allendale ... Read review
Advantages: Delicious food and a warm friendly welcome Disadvantages: None
The Kings Head Hotel is a place I came across when having a drive out in the country one day a few years ago. It can be found overlooking the cobbled town square in the rural village of Allendale, in Northumberland, and has been there since the late 17th century.
We first drove into Allendale by following the signposts from the A69, which is a long stretch of road running from Newcastle, and following part of Hadrian's Wall, to ... ...wilderness.
The Kings Head Hotel is not the only pub in the village, but sitting at the head of the square and advertising home-cooked meals, it did look very appealing. On a warm sunny day, it is a popular place to sit outside with a cool drink in the sunshine, at the tables provided.
Inside, it is small and has a typical country pub feel. It also gets very busy, as it is very popular for meals. We are always given ... more
The Kings Head Hotel is a place I came across when having a drive out in the country one day a few years ago. It can be found overlooking the cobbled town square in the rural village of Allendale, in Northumberland, and has been there since the late 17th century.
We first drove into Allendale by following the signposts from the A69, which is a long stretch of road running from Newcastle, and following part of Hadrian's Wall, to Carlisle. Allendale lies about halfway across the A69, 10 miles south of Hexham. We have returned here many times since our first visit. Allendale always seems very quiet and is described as a sleepy village. it has a few pubs, little shops and parking spaces in the town square. Allendale recently was voted England's village of the year 2008, and is surrounded by unspoilt countryside that David Bellamy describes as England's last wilderness.
The Kings Head Hotel is not the only pub in the village, but sitting at the head of the square and advertising home-cooked meals, it did look very appealing. On a warm sunny day, it is a popular place to sit outside with a cool drink in the sunshine, at the tables provided.
Inside, it is small and has a typical country pub feel. It also gets very busy, as it is very popular for meals. We are always given a warm and friendly greeting by the owners, Kate and Pete, who have lived in the village for 14 years, and take the time to make their customers feel welcome.
The Kings Head has also undergone a refurbishment since we first began visiting here in 2002, but has retained its cosy feel and also it's open fire, which is said to be the best in the Allen valley! There are wooden tables and chairs, wooden beams on the ceiling and stone floors, all adding to the cosy country pub feel. There are also 5 rooms available on the second floor if you wish to stay here. All rooms are en-suite and available at £70 per night which includes a full English breakfast. I have never stayed here, but have visited the pub for meals and drinks on many occasions. One thing I know for sure is you would be made to feel very welcome.
The pub has featured continuously for many years in the The Good Pub Guide, also serves a range of cask ales including Jenning's Cumberland and Marston's Pedigree Ale.
The reason I have returned many times is that not only is it a lovely little pub with friendly owners, but also the food is delicious! The owners state there is 'nowt posh or la-di-da' ( the owner's words) about their food, but offer great hospitality and a hearty and wholesome menu. A wide variety of home-cooked meals are on offer as well as lovely Sunday roasts, which are served between 12 -4pm every Sunday, but beware it does get very busy as it is very popular, so it may be advisable to book.
The Sunday roasts usually have a choice of meat, served with yorkshire puddings and vegetables which are brought to your table in tureens. I have enjoyed these many times. The food is always of good quality and tastes delicious. I have also visited through the week and enjoyed other meals from the menu such as Sirloin Steak, where locally sourced beef is used, and is served with homemade chips, grilled mushrooms, tomato and onion rings for £11.95. I like to add a pepper sauce to my steak and this as well as other sauces are available. Cheaper meals include Beef cobbler,Chicken Curry, Gammon, Battered Cod and Lasagne at £8.95, or Mushroom and Stilton tart, and Ploughman's Platter at £7.95. Please note this is only a sample of meals available, there are also daily specials on the blackboards, and a choice of potato, salad and vegetables are available with all meals.
Starters include homemade soup of the day, which I have enjoyed many times and is served with crusty bread, for £3.50. Also, Jalapeno Poppers, Butterfly Prawns at £4.25 are recommended.
As for desserts I cannot resist the gorgeous Toffee Lumpy Bumpy Cake - it is heaven on a plate! I am afraid I cannot comment on the other desserts available such as Pecan Pie, Chocolate Tarte and many more, as I fell in love with the Lumpy Bumpy cake on my first visit and have been unable to resist it ever since! It is priced at £4.25 as are most of the desserts except ice cream which is cheaper.
A snack menu is also served at The Kings Head daily (except Sunday) from 12 - 4pm and includes Sandwiches, Baguettes and Toasties from £3.50 - £5.00.
You are asked to place your food order at the bar, and then it is freshly cooked, which means you may have to wait a while, and then brought to your table.
I can highly recommend a visit to The Kings Head as either just a nice friendly place to visit for a meal, or a stop-off if ever you are visiting Northumberland's countryside. Either way, you will be assured of a friendly welcome and delicious food. It is nice to visit a place where the owners and staff take the time to make you feel welcome. This place gets 5 stars from me!
