CB246_web

James Place Street, Byker
I have been checking the beer at the
Cumberland Arms for knocking on towards
40 years. When I first arrived in Newcastle at
the start of the 1980s, the Cumberland was
one of the few pubs without a blue star on its
exterior and Best Scotch and Exhibition on
the bar.
It is a traditional 2 roomed pub, that
is considered by many to be the centre
of traditional folk music in Tyneside and
Northumberland. When Sting presented a
documentary on folk music, the Cumberland
took centre stage. The Cumberland has
appeared many times on television due to its
profile for traditional music sessions. It has also
appeared many times in books on Great British
pubs, because it is a great pub.
The informal rules for the Cumberland are
that music takes place in the room on the right
as you enter, the room on the left is for drinking
and conversation. The only exception to the
rule is that the Kingsmen Rappers regularly
dance in the left hand room. Tourists and
visitors are thrilled by the Kingsmen, many
regulars would prefer them to adhere
to tradition and dance outside.
The upstairs venue has the old bar from the
Haymarket, a pub destroyed by Newcastle
University to make a car park. The venue is
used for all sorts of entertainment; bands,
comedy, dances and occasional talks.
Cider has always been a major part of the
drinks offer at the Cumberland, the pub always
has a range of ciders. On the beer front, there
are numerous hand pumps and craft keg fonts.
The pub is ‘related’ to Northern Alchemy who
brew Styrian Bobek Cascade & Lemongrass
Pale exclusively for the Cumberland. At 3.9%
with a lovely balanced bitterness, it is my beer
of choice in the Cumberland.
Regular beer festivals are held throughout
the year and during the summer there is a
programme of entertainment held outside
the pub.
The Cumberland Arms is a great example of
a traditional pub which has kept its roots intact
and has a contemporary appeal, whether that
be the drinks offer or entertainment.
Martin Ellis
Issue 246 • Winter 2018
9