Railway Hotel, Birtley (Railway)

Rebuilt by Newcastle Breweries between 1911 and 1913, it has an impressive brown faience facade in classical style with ionic columns. The left recessed entrance porch (brought back into use by new owner) has a mosaic terrazzo floor, original 'Bar' etched and frosted panels in the twin doors and unusual brown ceramic niche. Sadly, original etched and frosted curved windows with a railway theme have been replaced with plain ones. Originally the interior was of four rooms; however, many old fittings remain. In 2015 it was purchased from brewery owners by a private individual who has sensitively restored it (and re-introduced real ale).

The left hand side of the pub interior is little altered with a bare wood floor, the original curved Edwardian mahogany bar counter, and the old fireplace has been sandblasted, re-lacquered and has a modern stove fire. The original curved bar back fitting is of 5 bays and is little altered with only one fridge having replaced some lower shelves, two other fridges have been sensibly placed under the bar counter. The original fixed seating - curved in the front bay window and along two sides at the rear - has been recently re-covered. The colourful skylight looks like it was added in the 1970/1980s.

In 1980/1990s a new bar counter on the front right and new bar counter and bar back at the rear right were added to create an island servery - if you look carefully you will see the left and right sides are of similar design but different wood. At the rear there is some more curved original fixed seating which has recently been re-covered. The rear right games room and front snug are opened-up and have no old fittings.