The Cumberland Arms

About The Cumberland Arms

The Cumberland Arms is a traditional free house set on a hilltop above the Ouseburn Valley in Newcastle, on James Place Street. Run for around two decades with a stated mission to preserve the historic building while reaching out to the community, it has become far more than an ordinary pub. The Cumberland celebrates life, family and culture, keeping traditional dance and performance alive while encouraging innovation across the arts, and it holds a well-earned reputation as a home for folk, roots and grassroots music in the city.

The pub is known for its real ale and for a lively, year-round events programme that spans live music, comedy, poetry and traditional music sessions, staged both indoors and outdoors across its terraces overlooking the valley. With regular sessions, dances and community gatherings, it draws a mix of drinkers, musicians and audiences, and remains one of the Ouseburn's most characterful and culturally active venues.

Featured in These Guides

Blog posts and guides that feature The Cumberland Arms.

Beer Festivals Near Heaton

From CAMRA's big Newcastle Beer and Cider Festival in April to rugby club festivals in Whitley Bay and Corbridge and the Cumberland Arms' own beer weekends, here is when and where to find beer festivals near Heaton.

Christmas Markets in Heaton

Heaton has no Christmas market of its own, but the Ouseburn makers' weekends are on the doorstep and Newcastle Christmas Market runs from 19 November to 23 December 2026. A guide to festive markets within easy reach.

Bonfire Night in Heaton & the Ouseburn 2026

The Ouseburn display at the City Stadium last ran in 2019 and has not come back. Here is where Heaton and Byker readers actually go in 2026, starting with Blue Flames at Benton on the night itself.

Cleared Ouseburn Valley Site With Consent for 128 Flats Goes on the Market

A cleared 0.63-acre freehold site on Crawhall Road, at the head of the Ouseburn Valley, has been brought to market with consent for 128 apartments and pre-application talks over a larger co-living scheme.

The Oldest Pubs in Heaton and Ouseburn

From a Victorian riverside tavern to a 1930s Heaton Road landmark, a guide to the oldest and most historic pubs in Heaton and the Ouseburn valley, and the stories behind them.

The Best Quiz Nights in Heaton

Fancy testing your general knowledge over a pint? A guide to the best weekly pub quizzes in Heaton and the Ouseburn, from the Corner House to The Chillingham.

Halloween in Heaton & the Ouseburn

Spooky storytelling at Seven Stories, family fun at Ouseburn Farm, Halloween nights at the Cluny and Cumberland Arms, and ghost walks through old Newcastle.

The Best Pubs & Bars in Ouseburn

A guide to the best independent pubs and bars in Newcastle's Ouseburn valley, from real ale havens and riverside beer gardens to live music institutions.

Live Music in Ouseburn: The Best Venues

A guide to the Ouseburn Valley's best grassroots live music venues, from The Cluny and The Cumberland Arms to free gigs at The Tyne Bar and club nights at Cobalt Studios.

Dog-Friendly Heaton: Pubs, Cafes & Walks

A local guide to the best dog-friendly pubs, cafes and walks across Heaton, the Ouseburn valley and east Newcastle.

The Best Beer Gardens in Heaton & Ouseburn

Where to drink outdoors in east Newcastle this summer, from riverside benches beneath the bridges to hillside terraces with views over the Tyne.

The Best Sunday Roasts in Heaton & Ouseburn

Where to find a proper Sunday roast in east Newcastle, from an acclaimed dining room to riverside pubs and a fully vegan kitchen, plus booking tips.

Upcoming Events

Events that feature or are connected to The Cumberland Arms.

Past Events

Recent events connected to The Cumberland Arms.