Corbridge is a lovely little Northumbrian town near Hadrian’s Wall full of independent businesses. This is my guide to a day out in Corbridge.
Corbridge has long been on my list of places to visit ever since we settled in the North-East four years ago. Sandwiched between the A69 and the River Tyne, Corbridge is less than 20 miles and 30 minutes from Newcastle and is in prime Hadrian’s Wall territory. The charming town of Corbridge dates back to the Roman times and was one of only two substantial towns on the northernmost edge of the Roman empire. Pretty important then.
Corbridge now however is a beautiful little town full of independent business such as bookshops, bakeries, pubs and eateries all located around the central market square. There are also lovely walking route along the River Tyne so it’s perfect for a day trip (even with the dog as most places are very dog friendly)! If you’re planning a visit, this guide is for you as it will cover the best things to do in Corbridge.
MY GUIDE TO A DAY OUT IN CORBRIDGE
Grants Bakery
Grants Bakery is famous in the North-East for producing exceptional cakes, pastries and all manner of baked goods. It would be almost impossible to spend a day out in Corbridge without treating yourself to one or two little goodies. I really enjoyed the quiche which was enough to share between two and both the strawberry tart and peach melba were to die for; beautiful. No matter what time you visit, you’re very likely to be in a queue that stretches out of the door as Grants Bakery is just that popular.
Forum Books
Without doubt one of the best bookshops in the North-East, Forum Books is an award winning independent bookshop situated in the Old Chapel in Corbridge. I love browsing real bookshops, bookshops that are proud to be bookshops. Forum Books is beautiful with a fantastic collection that makes a strong case to never want to shop online again. It was Easter when we visited so we couldn’t not get Evelyn a cute little book to read when we got home.
You can visit Forum Books’ two other locations at the bound in Whitley Bay and The Accidental Bookshop in Alnwick.
Roman Bridge / River Walk
You should definitely take the time to spend 30 minutes to an hour walking alongside the River Tyne when visiting Corbridge. From the main bridge and the main car park, it’s a peaceful stroll to the site of the former Roman bridge that allowed Dere Street to cross the river into the Roman town. Over 300 blocks were excavated and moved to their current site to prevent erosion by the river and, whilst they may not look like much now, this was perhaps one of the largest bridges in Roman Britain. With a short walk under your belt, you’ll have no doubt worked up an appetite for your time in Corbridge.
The Pele
Opposite Forum Books, on the most picturesque street in Corbridge, you’ll find The Pele; a fortified tower where the Vicar lived between 1300 and the early 17th century. It now houses a small bar where you can drink craft beer and ales (try ‘The Pele’ ale, brewed especially for here) alongside wine, spirits and filter coffee/tea. The setting is amazing here, it’s like somewhere out of Game of Thrones or The Last Kingdom
Corbridge Roman Town
The site of Corbridge’s Roman Town belongs to English Heritage and the streets can be explored for just £9.50. There’s a museum with a huge number of artefacts from the Roman period many of which were excavated from right here in Corbridge. If you’re into history then visiting the Roman Town is a must!
Baby at the Bank
Baby at the Bank is a stunning independent baby/nursery store housed within the old bank building. You can expect high quality brands on offer here like Liewood, Little Dutch and Ollie Ella. Once upon a time, I wouldn’t have had a clue about baby brands but nowadays I’m a sucker for buying Evelyn lovely products from the brands that you will found here at Baby at the Bank. The only word of warning I would say is that the shop is closed on Sundays.
The Angel of Corbridge
Dating back to 1569, the Angel is a Corbridge institution providing rooms to stay, tasty food and plenty to drink. You can expect the food to be locally sourced and homemade and great quality; I’d settle on the Chuck Burger, Pork Chop or even the Cote de Boeuf to share for two. The rooms are approximately £140 per night and some are even dog friendly too if you’re travelling with a fluffy companion.
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