The Elks Head Inn

We stayed at the Elk's Head, Whitfield recently; during mid-December 2024. This was our fourth visit there – so clearly we like it – but this time the hotel/pub is with a new team: a new Landlady: would it be as good as it had been? A bit of a concern I suppose, and a bit of a worry it has to be said, because you never know what might happen when an establishment – however good previously – changes hands. But, what the heck, we'd give it a go ... nothing ventured, nothing gained, and all that! ... yeah, right ... all that aside, as we swung into the car park late on a Friday evening (the M1 had just been hell) two hours late, pushing at the very limits of a late dinner ... well, the trepidation returned —this was testing things out considerably; and the fault for that was entirely ours. Beth was tending the bar, coming to the end of a busy evening shift no doubt —and she couldn't have been more welcoming. Charming, professional and kind; efficient, sharp as a tack, and completely accommodating. Just the kind of person you wish to see behind the bar of a good country pub after 6 hours on the road! Everything taken care of, signed in, luggage in the room and sitting down for a pre-dinner drink in under 15 minutes! Not everyone has a flair for hospitality, relatively few thrive within it – it takes effort and not an inconsiderable amount of talent – well, I can tell you this young lady has it in spades! Rooms are clean, well-provisioned and well-tended; comfortable right from the get go. Well heated – important during the winter time in Northumberland! – but manageable; some of us like a coolish, ventilated bedroom. Certainly not the thermo-nuclear sauna that seems to be the norm with hotel rooms today. And if the gentle burbling tones of the River Allen doesn't invite you to slumber, well, then, you are beyond any hope. Relax. It will, let go; you know you have to give in to it no matter how stressed you are when you get there! The food is excellent; menu extensive; wine list is pleasingly long. We had planned to essentially base ourselves at the Elk's Head, have breakfast there, but eat dinner out. You know, don't bother: we had dinner there each evening and were both heartily impressed. Oh, and a bit of a top tip here: when Hollie, our fantastic waitress for the weekend, (a young lady with a liking for motor-bikes and the science of volcanology) recommends something go for it straight away. I held out on the pana-cotta for two whole days, gave in at lunch on the Sunday, and have kicked myself ever since —quite literally, sublime! Jenifer, the new Landlady of the Elk's Head introduced herself on the Saturday evening. She came over specially during a busy Saturday night – no doubt after a busy Saturday all-round, to do just that. Again, it is touches like this that mean such a very great deal to customers. With pubs, hotels and restaurants it is the person at the very top that drives everything —and that's often far from being a simple t

Excellent roast dinners, really good roast beef and great sticky toffee pudding. We would happily return. 7 people all very happy. Friendly efficient service too. Children’s menu was good too with burgers and chicken goujons that went down well with children aged 10 & 12

We booked last minute whilst touring the area. The location in a quiet village by the river gave us a peaceful night’s rest in a lovely room overlooking the garden and river. The food was the star of the stay. We had three courses from the menu and specials board. What a treat! Hearty yet presented with a touch that evinced a real skill by the chef. Service throughout the stay was excellent. Definitely worth including on your itinerary if you are touring the North Pennines.

We booked to stay at the Elks Head inn after a day's racing at Hexham . We found the accommodation food and drinks to be excellent . The meals at night and breakfast in the morning were freshly cooked and first class . All the staff were very friendly and helpful this was a 5 star experience and when we are back racing at Hexham this is where we will stay . Thanks everybody for a lovely experience

We were delighted with the Elks Head, from the online booking to leaving 3 days later. All the staff were so friendly and had time to chat and then the food,real local produce beautifully cooked and presented. We had to leave early so the owner made sandwiches of our choice and put them in a cool box outside our door.Local food local good beer,good owners leads to a good holiday.Cheers guys

Very pleasant stay. Staff very welcoming and accommodating to requests, comfortable rooms and super breakfast and evening meals. Location of the inn next to river in calm village was also welcomed, yet not too far from Hadrian's Wall, Hexham, etc. Hope to return again one day.