Best Beer Gardens in Cramlington

Cramlington is better for outdoor drinking than its new-town reputation suggests. Most of its pubs were built or converted with space around them, so a garden, a terrace or at least a decent outside area is the norm rather than the exception. This guide picks out the pubs where sitting outside is a real draw, from the old village to the family pubs on the edge of town.

Gardens are at their best from late spring to early autumn, and furniture, heaters and outside service can change with the season. Check with the pub before you set off, especially with children or a dog in tow. For the wider picture, see our guide to the best pubs in Cramlington.

The Plough

The Plough at Middle Farm, in the old village, is the first stop for most people. Its operator, Sir John Fitzgerald, describes a large beer garden and lists a beer terrace too, which suits the pub's farmyard layout. It is also the town's best pub for cask ale, so the garden is a good place to try something from a local brewery.

Sir John Fitzgerald says children are welcome until 9pm, and the pub has a car park. It opens from noon every day.

Best for: The pick for real ale in the sun, with a big garden and a terrace.

The Bay Horse

The Bay Horse on Sanderson Terrace reopened in summer 2025 after a three-week refurbishment. The Northumberland Gazette reported at the time that the beer garden, which the pub calls the largest in the area, had been upgraded with new furniture and lighting. There is also a conservatory, useful when the weather turns.

It is a Sizzling Pub, so the food is good-value skillets and pub classics, and it opens early enough for breakfast at weekends.

Best for: A big, recently refreshed garden with food served all day.

Willow Farm

Willow Farm on Northumberland Business Park is a Farmhouse Inns pub built around families. Its own website invites you to take your pint, wine or soft drink out to the beer garden, and inside there is a carvery every day and an indoor play area for when the children have had enough of the fresh air.

Best for: A family pub where the garden and the play area cover all weathers.

The Snowy Owl

The Snowy Owl on Blagdon Lane, close to Northumberlandia, is a Vintage Inn with rooms. CAMRA lists a garden, parking and a family-friendly welcome. It makes an easy end to a walk around the Lady of the North, and CAMRA gives its hours as noon to 11pm Monday to Saturday and noon to 10.30pm on Sunday.

Best for: A garden drink after a walk at Northumberlandia.

The Brockwell Seam

The Brockwell Seam at the Brockwell Centre is an estate local in the south of town. CAMRA lists a garden, parking, sports TV and a family-friendly welcome, with food served from noon to 9pm. It is a sensible choice if you want to eat outside without heading into the town centre.

Best for: An estate local with a garden and food until 9pm.

The Lord of the Manor

The Lord of the Manor is a Craft Union pub. Its operator lists a beer garden, an outside area and a smoking area, and says the pub is pet-friendly. It is a sports pub at heart, so expect the match on inside while you sit out.

Best for: A sports local with a beer garden and a welcome for pets.

Old-village outside areas

Two more pubs in the old village have outdoor space, though neither is really a garden destination. The Blagdon Arms on Village Square, another Craft Union pub, has an outside area and CAMRA lists a garden. John the Clerk of Cramlington, the Wetherspoon on Low Main Place, has a licensed outside area and opens from 8am, which makes it an option for a coffee outside in the morning as well as a pint later.

Both are a few minutes' walk from the Plough, so a summer evening can easily take in all three.

Which garden for which occasion

• Real ale outdoors: the Plough.
• With children: Willow Farm, the Plough (until 9pm) or the Snowy Owl.
• Biggest garden: the Bay Horse, by its own account.
• After a walk: the Snowy Owl, beside Northumberlandia.
• With a dog: the Lord of the Manor and the Blagdon Arms both describe themselves as pet-friendly. Our dog-friendly Cramlington guide has more.

If you want to eat as well, our guides to Sunday roasts in Cramlington and the best restaurants in Cramlington cover the food side, and things to do in Cramlington has ideas for the rest of the day.

Spotted a change at one of these beer gardens, or think we've missed one? Get in touch and we'll update the guide.