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Original poster

Food at Beamish

27 replies

Noodge · 14/08/2023 19:18

Can anyone answer me as to what the food is like?
Planning a visit but not sure whether It's worth taking our own to avoid queues and if It's generally not very good?

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Lemonnhoney · 14/08/2023 19:26

Went to Beamish last week... It was heaving... 1000s of people! And lots of ques for food. Id definetly take a packed lunch. There's lots of spots to eat it. Then maybe qué up for a ice cream or sweet shop instead

Bringonthesunforthewashing · 14/08/2023 19:27

We queued for an ice cream for 50 minutes…

HermioneWeasley · 14/08/2023 19:28

Last time we went there was only the fish and chip shop open for food. It took an hour to get served and there was nowhere to sit.

definitely take your own

TyneTeas · 14/08/2023 19:31

A few years ago I queued so long for fish and chips there that it would have been quicker to drive home eat lunch and drive back ( I live about 30 miles away)

Glenthebattleostrich · 14/08/2023 19:32

The fish and chips are amazing but get in the queue at about 11:20! We've queued for 2 hours for them before. Definitely take your own snacks and drinks as it gets stupidly busy these days.

Absolutely love Beamish, it's a fantastic day out.

CatsOnTheChair · 14/08/2023 19:37

Yep, amazing fish &chips, but massive queues.

I'd take a basic picnic, and top it up from the bakery next time.

Whyohwhyohwhy123 · 14/08/2023 19:39

The fish and chips are amazing but queues are long. We took a picnic and bought somethings from the bakery and had fish and chips at 3pm when it was quieter

DisforDarkChocolate · 14/08/2023 19:45

There is a cafe at the beginning, 2 fish and chip shops now (one does beef dripping), a cafe at the town and stalls at the pit village and farm if open. So plenty of places, I like the cafe in the town. If you fancy chips go at the end of the day. No idea what John's cafe sells apart from drinks and ice-cream.

I prefer to eat there but we generally get there in time for an early lunch or after lunch and eat before we leave.

Original poster
Noodge · 14/08/2023 19:51

Thank you for all the responses. A vegan amidst us too-I think we'll definitely be taking a light packed lunch and perhaps stopping for food after we've been! I cannot abide long queues! Smile

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teaandtoastwithmarmite · 14/08/2023 19:56

We went the other week and queued for ages for fish and chips and it was a nice experience but very greasy and £52 for four small and one large. I also went in another area and they only had sandwiches with quite frankly weird fillings

Soscrewed · 14/08/2023 20:05

We went a few weeks ago (first weekend of many of the English school holidays) it wasn't crazily busy and I thought the food was very well priced compared to other tourist places and pretty decent as these things go (kids sandwich box was about £4.50 I think with a few items in it). We had sandwiches and pasties and things not fish and chips, but we would eat there again.

Original poster
Noodge · 14/08/2023 20:10

@teaandtoastwithmarmite I want to know what the weird fillings were!

Is there a pub there too?

OP posts:
DisforDarkChocolate · 14/08/2023 20:23

I've never seen a weird sandwich filling and we go regularly.

There is a pub in the town but I think it's drinks only.

nildesparandum · 14/08/2023 20:41

Thanks for the tips about bringing your own food.I live in the North East and am going to Beamish on Wednesday with my sisters. I last went there 12 years ago so they may be changes.

ShowOfHands · 14/08/2023 20:46

I went last summer and fell in love with the place. I never cry but sobbed at the pit village (come from a very long line miners, ending with my Grandad). Even the 2hr queue for fish and chips couldn't dampen my spirits. I'm desperate to go back. I'm taking a packed lunch next time!

dancinfeet · 14/08/2023 21:00

we had a nice meal at the pub just outside the main entrance gates. wasn’t impressed at the food on offer inside Beamish or the queues to buy food.

OakleyStreetisnotinChelsea · 14/08/2023 21:22

Get there for 10. Go to the town and visit the bakery to buy a snack for later. Potter for a bit then go to the Pit Village. The Fish and Chip shop starts serving at 11.30, go to start the queue by 11.10, you'll be one of the first 2 or 3 people and can chat to the staff about the shop and the history for 20 min then merrily get your food for an early lunch. There is a possibility that I have got this down to a fine art.

You just need a dab and chips, the portions are huge.

Or take a packed lunch and if you really want coal fired fish and chips you can drive 20 min to my local after visiting Beamish and have it for your tea.

Bloody love Beamish though.

Itsaloadofbollocks · 14/08/2023 22:13

teaandtoastwithmarmite · 14/08/2023 19:56

We went the other week and queued for ages for fish and chips and it was a nice experience but very greasy and £52 for four small and one large. I also went in another area and they only had sandwiches with quite frankly weird fillings

Let me guess you're not from the north and the weird filling was pease pudding 😁

Bringonthesunforthewashing · 15/08/2023 12:48

I agree pp isn’t from the north and it will have been pease pudding 😁

Original poster
Noodge · 15/08/2023 16:35

Thanks @dancinfeet that's good advice. I might suggest we go to the pub for food then-do you know what It's called?

@OakleyStreetisnotinChelsea good advice too! what's a dab and chips

Pease pudding in a sandwich?! (And I AM northern)!?

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ChildrenOfRuin · 15/08/2023 16:39

We always take our own pack lunches to Beamish.
Most of the times that we’ve been, the queues for food have been ridiculously long.

OakleyStreetisnotinChelsea · 15/08/2023 16:41

A Dab is a half portion of fish.

Ghostofborleyrectory · 15/08/2023 17:02

Cheese and onion pie at the old bakery was spectacular last time I was there. Cheap, fresh, hot and amazing.

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