Olde Cross, Old Ryton Village

Formerly an Enterprise Inns pub it is now the first community-owned pub in the Tyne Valley. From its closure in early 2018 to the official re-launch on 6 July 2019, by local Blaydon MP Liz Twist, it took villagers just under 18 months. They registered the pub as an Asset of Community Valley which bought time to fund-raise through share offerings and buy the pub. Endless hours of volunteer work by the local community made this happen. The pub is now run by tenants Andrew and Abigail Billingham. There has been a lot of media attention in the North East, FROM both BBC, ITV, local radio and the printed press.

It remains an attractive Edwardian half-timbered local in lovely setting by village green and the cross that names the pub. The original Cross Inn dates from the mid-19th century and was partly rebuilt in 1909. Two community events, the ‘Hirings’, which takes place in Spring and Autumn, and the annual ‘Carols at Christmas’, are held on the village green outside the pub. The pub is very much intended as a centre for the local community with events and local activities.

Street food on Saturdays 5:30 to 8:30 and occasionally on Tuesdays.

The Friends of Ye Olde Cross are the winners of CAMRA's 2019 Pub Saving Award.