Hexham, British, Modern Restaurant Guide

2022 Review: A “super-friendly and efficient” stone-fronted country boozer, where chef Paul Johnson (a Nathan Outlaw alum) delivers a “great menu selection” that saw it walk off with a CAMRA Pub of the Year accolade not too long ago.

“Fun restaurant serving excellent food” from an open kitchen in a classic Victorian hotel in the town centre that has been cleverly modernised in recent years. “It’s a super place to stay, too (and the breakfast is good)”.

In the multi-tasking (shop, eat, stay) Vallum Farm complex near Hadrian’s Wall, and occupying an old cow barn, there’s “lots to love” about this “absolutely amazing” venture, which was set up by Cal Byerley and partner Siân Buchan several years back. Together the duo delivers a “fantastic experience”, from Cal’s “ever-developing and sophisticated”, Nordic-inspired tasting menus, fuelled by produce from the kitchen garden and Northumberland countryside, to Vanessa’s “incredible” matching wines.