The Cumberland Arms
A three-storey Ouseburn pub known for cask ale, an unusually deep cider range, folk sessions and upstairs gigs.
About The Cumberland Arms
The Cumberland Arms stands on James Place Street, off Byker Bank, in a prominent spot on the bank above the lower Ouseburn Valley, with views down over the old industrial bottom of the valley. It was first licensed as a beer house in 1862, and the present three-storey building dates from 1899, put up after the earlier structure collapsed during renovation work. Little about it feels engineered: bare boards, a small front bar, a back bar used for sessions and a terrace out front that fills on warm evenings. The pub also has four bed and breakfast rooms upstairs, which is unusual for a pub of this character and size.
Drink is the main event. Alongside changing cask ales from independent breweries, including two house beers brewed for the pub by Allendale in collaboration with The Old Coal Yard, it typically keeps up to eight ciders and perries, and has taken the regional CAMRA Cider Pub of the Year award more than once. The upstairs room hosts gigs, comedy from The Suggestibles and Liveoke nights, while traditional folk sessions run in the back bar. Food includes a menu and Sunday dinners, and there is a ping pong table for good measure.
Featured in These Guides
Blog posts and guides that feature The Cumberland Arms.

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Upcoming Events
Events that feature or are connected to The Cumberland Arms.
Juni Habel plus Watersmeet
7:30pm · The Cumberland Arms, Ouseburn, Newcastle
The Annie Keating Band + The Dreaming Spires
7:00 PM · The Cumberland Arms, James Place Street, Ouseburn, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE6 1LD
Cazimi at The Cumberland Arms
7:00 PM · The Cumberland Arms, James Place Street, Ouseburn, NE6 1LD
Jigsaw Wars at The Cumberland Arms
7:00 PM · The Cumberland Arms, James Place Street, Ouseburn, NE6 1LD
Mirror Revelations at The Cumberland Arms
7:00 PM · The Cumberland Arms, James Place Street, Ouseburn, NE6 1LD
Harry Bird at The Cumberland Arms
7:30 PM · The Cumberland Arms, James Place Street, Ouseburn, NE6 1LD
Let 'Em Speak, FLINTA Comedy Open Mic
7:30pm · The Cumberland Arms, James Place Street, Ouseburn, NE6 1LD
Dani Larkin at The Cumberland Arms
7:30 PM · The Cumberland Arms, James Place Street, Ouseburn, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE6 1LD
Past Events
Recent events connected to The Cumberland Arms.
John Pope Quintet + Urvashi
26 September 2026 · The Cumberland Arms, James Place Street, Ouseburn, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE6 1LD
Dick Valentine
24 September 2026 · The Cumberland Arms, James Place Street, Ouseburn, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE6 1LD
Mabon: Autumn Equinox Celebration
23 September 2026 · The Cumberland Arms, James Place Street, Ouseburn, NE6 1LD
Rape Crisis Tyneside and Northumberland Quiz Night
22 September 2026 · The Cumberland Arms, James Place Street, Ouseburn, NE6 1LD
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What's On
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Juni Habel plus Watersmeet
7:30pm · The Cumberland Arms, Ouseburn, Newcastle