Unique country pubs
The Baa is a unique bar
It is always wonderful to come across unique country pubs. Pubs that are quirky, original, a little bit different. The Baa, which forms part of the village youth hostel, fits that description perfectly.
You will spot The Baa as you drive into the village with its enormous ice cream sign – homemade ice cream is sold in the summertime.
A local farming family bought the village youth hostel and realising they were now licensees decided to create a unique country pub at one end of the 16th century building. The cosy room has retained its cobbled floor and rustic furniture and a collection of sheep related artwork is always growing.
The Baa attracts a wide variety of customers who always seem to mix very successfully – probably because of the cosy size of the bar but also because of the easy going atmosphere. If you call in, you could find yourself having a conversation with a local farmer, an angler on his way back from Derwent Reservoir or a passing walker calling in after a hike across the moors.
Owner Joyce Anderson explains how The Baa is very much at the heart of the community. But where did that name come from? ‘We surveyed people and this is what they came up with!’ she said. Joyce hosts a lunch club every month in the summer and twice a month in the winter which is open to everyone. A two course meal is available for £13. Call the pub on 01207 255651 or 07884 969725 to find out more.
Food features strongly at The Baa. Their pizzas which can be taken out or eaten in are very popular. The idea originated during covid times when pubs could only reopen if they served a meal – the homemade pizzas went down so well they are now a permanent feature. The pizzas are available every day, Mondays to Thursdays 4pm to 8pm and Friday, Saturday and Sunday from 12 to 8.30pm. You can phone ahead with your order or pop in and have a drink while you are waiting. Real ales are always on offer as well as sheep themed cocktails.
It is fairly unique to be fed for free in a pub so ‘Free Food Friday’ is another good reason to call in The Baa. Home cooked food is on offer every Friday from around 6.30pm on a first come, first served basis. It could be a curry or a pie, a risotto, a lasagne or a complete surprise. The passing around and sharing of the food adds to The Baa’s unique friendly atmosphere.
The Baa has an enormous beer garden which is great in the summer. As you enter from the car park you will see some large statues which look decidedly out of place in a country pub garden. They were props from the set of Beowulf which was filmed a few years ago in nearby Weardale.
The youth hostel part of the building is affiliated to the YHA and can sleep up to 31 people in a variety of rooms and dormitories and is open all year round. There is also a campsite at the back of the hostel. Check out https://www.lowhousehaven.co.uk/camping for more information.
We are so lucky to have two pubs in Edmundbyers. The Derwent Arms is a traditional country pub serving meals and excellent Sunday lunches; The Baa is a quirky bar serving pizzas and ice cream. Both businesses complement each other and our guests at Hepple Hill Cottage benefit by being able to leave their car at home when they pop out for a drink or a meal.
