Northern Echo Best Pubs finalist: The Fox & Hounds, Neasham

Beer, gin, ale or a good old cider in the sunshine. There's no denying that summer isn't complete without a trip to your local pub.

You're never short of pubs to choose from in the North East if you're wanting to head out on an evening for a well deserved tipple.

This means for The Northern Echo's Best Pub competition, there was a whole load of boozers to choose from.

After receiving all of your nominations, we announced the top ten this week who are all vying for your votes to take home the top spot.

The Fox & Hounds, Neasham, is our latest nominee. Pictured are Harriet Mulhall, Kreft Holdings manager Lisa Clough and manager Roxanne Jennison (Image: SARAH CALDECOTT)

Today we spoke to The Fox and Hounds in Neasham, Darlington to find out a bit about them.

Warren Kreft, owner of pub operator Kreft, told the Echo a bit about the pub and how it feels to be nominated.

He said: "We are very traditional, a family venue and we cater for family dining. We have a playground, Sunday carvery, we even do a separate dogs menu.

"We also have an outside shop with an ice cream parlour for the summertime, we also have a beer garden for people who can sit outside in the sunny weather."

Warren added: "This is one of our brand new sites, we only opened it in March. The staff were over the moon when they found out - the response was immense.

"It's nice to get a pat on the back - the pub is going from strength to strength."

The full list of our finalists are here:

• Baydale Beck Inn, in Low Coniscliffe, Darlington
• Crafty Merlin’s MicroPub, in 6 Buckton’s Yard, Darlington
• House of Hop, 4B Houndgate, Darlington
• ORB Micropub, at 28 Coniscliffe Road, Darlington
• The Bay Horse, at 45 The Green, Hurworth-on-Tees, Darlington
• The Bay Horse Inn, at 28 West Green, Heighington Village, Newton Aycliffe
• The Bay Horse Middridge, in 42 South Side, Middridge, Newton Aycliffe
• The Copper Mine, in 26 Job’s Hill Bank, Crook
• The Fox & Hounds Neasham, in 24 Tessway, Neasham, Darlington
• The Slaters Arms, in 50 Bondgate, Darlington

Recommended:

• The Northern Echo Best Pubs: The Bay Horse, Hurworth
• Northern Echo Best Pubs: The Bay Horse Inn, Heighington

• Northern Echo Best Pub Awards: Crafty Merlin's, Darlington

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Voting is now open, and we'll be featuring each of the pubs over the next ten days so we can learn more about what makes each one so popular - so keep your eyes peeled.

You can vote for your ‘Best Pub 2024’ by picking up copies of The Northern Echo in the days to follow as we profile all the lucky finalists.