The Three Tuns Heddon On The Wall
Let me tell you about a pub that doesn't just serve history—it practically swims in it. Tucked away in the little Northumberland village of Heddon-on-the-Wall, The Three Tuns...
Let me tell you about a pub that doesn't just serve history—it practically swims in it. Tucked away in the little Northumberland village of Heddon-on-the-Wall, The Three Tuns is one of those rare places where you can nurse a pint of ale while sitting on a bit of genuine Roman wall. Yes, that wall. Hadrian himself might have popped in for a quick mead if it had been open 1,900 years earlier.
If you ask me, this pub was built for the express purpose of making you feel unreasonably cool about drinking. You’re not just having a cheeky half—you’re drinking in a heritage site. Tell that to your mates. They’ll either be impressed or deeply annoyed, and either way, you win.
A quick history that's almost too good to be true
The Three Tuns started life as a humble farmhouse in the 17th century. But here’s the kicker: it was built directly on top of the Roman foundations of Hadrian’s Wall. The wall actually runs right through the pub’s backyard, if you can believe it. The builders of 1697 apparently thought, “You know what this Roman fortification needs? A good pub garden.” Genius.
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That wall to the south? It’s the original Roman stonework. The stone you’re touching with your foot while you sip a Newcastle Brown Ale might have been laid by a legionnaire named Marcus who was very homesick. No pressure, right? Try not to spill your pint on history.
The atmosphere: cozy chaos and beamed ceilings
Walk inside, and you’re hit with a wall of character (and probably the smell of a roaring log fire). Low oak beams mean you’ll definitely bump your head if you’re over five-foot-nine. It’s a rite of passage. Locals call it “the Three Tuns hunch,” and I’m pretty sure that’s not even a joke.
The place is split into small, quirky rooms with uneven stone floors that make you walk like a tipsy pirate. The walls are covered in old horse brasses, historic photos, and the kind of glorious clutter that would make an interior designer cry. Good. Let them cry. This place has soul.
The beer: a liquid time machine
The Three Tuns is a free house, which means they can buy whatever beer they fancy. And they fancy exactly the right stuff. You’ll find local ales like Wylam or Mordue, plus the classic Big Lamp Bitter. You can also get a proper pint of Black Sheep, which is exactly as rebellious as it sounds.
Three Tuns, Heddon on the Wall – Arthur Gills paintings
If you’re not a beer fan (weird, but okay), their cider selection is lethal in the best way. One sip of that, and you’ll be volunteering to teach the locals Morris dancing. Don’t say I didn’t warn you.
Food: proper pub grub, no nonsense
The menu is pure, unapologetic British comfort food. Steak and ale pie so rich that it should probably be taxed. Fish and chips that arrive like a golden, crispy monument to the sea. And their Sunday roast? It’s the kind of meal that makes you want to write a thank-you letter to the chef. Seriously. I almost did.
They do have vegetarian options, but let’s be honest—you’re probably coming here for a Yorkshire pudding the size of your face. It’s okay. We don’t judge. The Romans definitely didn’t judge, and they conquered most of Europe.
Surprising fact: it’s haunted (probably)
Every ancient English pub has at least one ghost story, and The Three Tuns doesn’t disappoint. Locals whisper about a friendly spirit that moves glasses around the bar. Some say it’s a Roman soldier who can’t find his way back to his fort because the pub garden is in the way. Poor lad. He’s been looking for his bridge for two millennia.
THREE TUNS, Heddon-on-the-Wall - Restaurant Bewertungen, Telefonnummer
I haven’t seen any ghosts myself, but I did once drop a chip and nobody noticed. That’s close to supernatural, right? Also, the WiFi is mysteriously slow in the back room. That’s definitely a poltergeist. No other explanation.
The garden: a Roman paradise
In summer, the beer garden is where it’s at—literally. You can sit right next to the exposed section of Hadrian’s Wall. Kids climb on it. Dogs sniff it. And adults sit there, holding a cold pint, feeling smug about their choice of pub. The views across the Tyne Valley are stunning too. You can see all the way to the Pennines on a clear day, assuming your phone doesn’t distract you with Instagram stories.
There’s also a wooden play area for children, which is nice, but let’s be real: you’re here for the wall and the ale. The kids can run around the Roman ruins. It’s basically a history lesson they’ll forget by dinner. Perfect.
Why you need to go right now
The Three Tuns isn’t just a pub—it’s a time capsule with a beer tap. It’s the kind of place where you can lose an afternoon and feel great about it. You’ll leave with a full belly, a lighter head, and a story about the time you drank ale on a Roman wall. That’s better than any museum gift shop.
If you ever find yourself driving along the A69 near Newcastle, do yourself a favor. Stop. Walk into a pub older than your country. Order a pint. Touch ancient stone. And maybe—just maybe—offer a quiet toast to the legionnaire who built the floor you’re standing on. He definitely didn’t expect you to spill ketchup on his work, but he’d probably be chuffed anyway. Prost, Marcus.
