Ye Olde Cross Ryton named best North East pub of year 2026

Ye Olde Cross in Ryton, near Gateshead, has been shortlisted in the top 16 for CAMRA’s 2026 Pub of the Year competition, with the winner set to be named in January.

The now 117-year-old pub is known for its community spirit and regular events, including open mic nights and weekend food pop-ups.

And this is not the first time the pub has earned praise from CAMRA, winning its Pub Saving Award in 2019 and securing a place in the 2026 Good Beer Guide.

Locals also have plenty to say for the establishment.

Reviewers describe the “great choice of beers, excellent service, friendly customers – plus a whisky club and a load of other regular nights.”

Others say the “service is always decent and the beer is never less than excellent.”

It will now compete against 15 other pubs from across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland for the national title.

The top 16 pubs are:

East Anglia: Railway Arms, Saffron Walden

East Central: Malt Shovel Tavern, Northampton

East Midlands: Railway Inn, Ketton

Greater London: Cockpit, Chislehurst

Merseyside and Cheshire: Turks Head, St. Helens

North East: Ye Olde Cross, Old Ryton Village

North West: Northumberland Arms, Marple Bridge

Northern Ireland: Dog and Duck Inn, Lisbellaw

Scotland: Steam Packet Inn, Isle of Whithorn

South Central: Bell, Waltham St Lawrence

South East: Nelson Arms, Tonbridge

South West: Fallen Tree, Clevedon

Wales: Mold Alehouse, Mold

West Central: Alma Inn, Linton

West Midlands: Tamworth Tap, Tamworth

Yorkshire: Countryman’s Inn, Hunton

As CAMRA’s North East regional winner, Ye Olde Cross is now in contention for the national title.

A final four will be announced in October, with the national winner revealed in January.

The community-owned Tyne Valley pub closed in 2019 but reopened around 18 months later following a community-led campaign.