Our Time at The Dirty Bottles
Reviewed by Lucy | Heather & Sand
Second Time Lucky
We'd tried for Sunday lunch here once before and found it too busy, so after a Saturday spent hiding from a named storm, we made it our mission.
We were too late to book, but they keep some tables back for walk-ins from noon. We arrived on the dot and claimed a corner table. Perfect.
Quite a few tables had reservation signs for an hour or more later, and those stay off-limits even if you think you could finish in time. Understandable, if a little frustrating. On the plus side, the room never felt overcrowded.
Ordering by App
We were surprised to learn The Dirty Bottles is part of Greene King. Once you have your table number, you can order food and drinks on their app and everything arrives at the table. You can still order at the bar, but the app was easy enough.
Even Tom managed it.
A Proper Sunday Lunch
We both had the turkey, with Yorkshire puddings, pigs in blankets, stuffing, vegetables and gravy. Tasty, plentiful and exactly what we needed.
The staff were friendly and helpful, and two lunches with drinks came to under £40, which we thought was very reasonable.
It's a cosy old inn, just a stone's throw from Alnwick Castle. I could do without the televisions, but that's just me.
About Those Bottles
Legend has it a landlord touched the bottles in the window while cleaning and promptly died. His widow declared them cursed, and there they've stayed.
We're filing that one under excellent pub stories. The lunch, at least, gave us nothing to fear.
The Heather & Sand Verdict
A good-value, generous Sunday lunch in a characterful old inn by the castle. Book if you can. If you can't, turn up at noon.
Read the full story from our visit: Sunday Lunch, Cursed Bottles & a Car Alarm