Had we done our research properly or put anything thought whatsoever into the order of which we were going to review all the pubs on the metro line, we probably might have decided to end in Newcastle City Centre or at the Coast to create some kind of celebratory atmosphere. We have no such organisational skills however therefore the very last pub; pub 60 of 60 if you will, ended up being Hebburn.
Hebburn was originally on the green line before the Sunderland expansion where it swapped over to yellow and is built on the site of an old 1872 British Rail station which had been out of use for some time.
If you exit the station (crossing the track if you’re coming from South Shields and walk down Station Road towards Aloysius Church. Keep the church on you right then turn left down Albert Street. Keep on walking until you see Wardles Bar on the left.
Much as we didn’t plan on having our ceremonial last drink of the whole tour in Hebburn, in a way it did feel like we’d come full circle and the fact that the last pub on the was a perfect representation of everything that this guide has come to be about. One of the things I have found most reassuring through this whole experience is that although there are many areas of the north east that I have never visited before (and probably have no desire to ever visit again) never once have we encountered any problems, hostility or felt uncomfortable in any way.
Wardles is a stereotypical north east boozer. It’s dark and still smells a little bit like smoke even though the smoking ban came into effect over ten years ago. It’s full of locals who are on first name terms with the barmaid. There’s not a pint of real ale in sight, you can get 2 bottles of blue wicked for less than the price of a coffee in Starbucks and the wine is always slightly on the warm side. HOWEVER, at only £6.99 per bottle, quite frankly I’d drink my wine out of an old boot for that price so our cosy booth by the bar was the perfect place to toast our success.
Find out where else we’ve been on our metro pubbing adventure here
Love that you finished your amazing journey in Hebburn of all places! Brilliant! I’ve really enjoyed this series Helen, such a great idea! Can’t wait to see what you come up with next!