Three Wheat Heads Inn, Thropton, near Rothbury

Jun 29 2008 by Eddy Eats, Sunday Sun

WHEN you visit as many pubs as we do you can’t help but draw comparisons between them.

We have experienced dark traditional bars packed with character, then there are the often larger well-lit and silver chromed jobs and, somewhere in between, are the normal salt-of-the-earth boozers.

Each one has an atmosphere all of its own. Some are loud and cheerful, others more quiet and subdued.

I believe the last time we set the Eatsmobile on the road to the Three Wheat Heads Inn, at Thropton near Rothbury, Northumberland, I described the restaurant area as akin to sitting in someone’s living room.

Some improvement work has been carried out since, but this comfortable feeling is still very much apparent. Shelves are adorned with china teapots and decorated plates, while the tables have proper tablecloths and cloth napkins.

Sadly the latter has all but disappeared from the dining tables of our pubs, being replaced by recycled paper-thin versions that rip before you get them to your lap and are incapable of soaking up any spillage.

The Three Wheat Heads was busy on the day we called.

We went through to the restaurant where we ordered a pint of Guinness and a lime and soda while inquiring about the availability of a table.

A friendly waitress showed us to a seat beside the unopened glass doors, which overlooked a splendid beer garden offering superb views of the surrounding hillsides.

It was a glorious sunny day and I felt the need to shuffle from my seat next to the window onto the neighbouring pew which offered some shade, as I was starting to feel the effects of global warming streaming through the glass.

When the waitress came to take our order I commented on the views and the heat through the window.

She explained that it was often difficult to gauge what was best to do on such a day as opening the glass doors invited in a slight breeze which often makes some scranners feel uncomfortable.

For a starter She Who Must Be Fed decided to plump for the potato wedges priced at £3.50 which came with both a garlic mayonnaise and a spicy chilli dip. This got us off to a reasonable start as the dish was to her liking.

The creamy garlic mushrooms caught my eye at £3.95. They came with a roll and butter, with which I eagerly mopped up the remaining juices after demolishing the mushrooms.

For our main course the missus went for the roast pork while I remained traditional and chose the beef. Both were priced £8.95.

Succulent slices of meat and gravy duly arrived along with new and roast potatoes, cauliflower, carrots and white cabbage.

Mrs Eats remarked that the veg was cooked just the way she, and therefore we, like it.

Quite firm and not mushy as tends to be the way in some places.

Everything was completely satisfactory, and when She Who Must Be Fed did feel the need to raise an issue our friendly waitress dealt with her inquiry quickly and professionally.

After a short interval we felt refreshed and ready to tackle a dessert. I was quite happy to finish off with some vanilla ice cream, but the missus would not settle for something so plain and instead plumped for the lemon meringue roulade with raspberry coulis.

My ice cream was tasty enough, while the look upon the face of Mrs Eats was one of sheer contentment as she polished off her sweet.

While there is room for improvement almost everywhere The Three Wheat Heads is a friendly, homely pub that serves up good food and has a lot to recommend it.

:: To get to The Three Wheat Heads take the A697 Morpeth to Coldstream road, turning off for Rothbury.

Travel through the town and on into Thropton. The pub lies over the bridge on the left.