The historic Star Inn, Netherton, Northumberland is on the market
CAMRA’s Pub Heritage Group are appealing to experienced pub owners and operators from across the UK to consider taking on the Star Inn, Netherton before the present marketing period comes to an end.
Currently advertised on Rightmove, the Star Inn is the sole pub in a rural village and boasts features of truly outstanding heritage importance but it sadly closed in 2023 due to the ill-health of the landlady. It is described by Historic England as a ‘rare example of a modest and largely unaltered Edwardian public house of great character’ and is especially notable for its simplicity of layout and fittings.
The Star Inn has spacious upstairs accommodation and outbuildings, plus extensive gardens and grounds, and the Group is concerned that greedy developers might only have eyes for its potential for conversion, noting that Rightmove is not a specialised platform to market pubs. There are fears that if the premises has not found a buyer during the marketing period, then a planning application for redevelopment could be submitted, leading to this historic gem being potentially lost forever.
Paul Ainsworth, Chair of CAMRA’s Pub Heritage Group, said:
“Entering Netherton's only pub is like stepping back in time, with parts of the current building dating back to the 19th century. Losing such a treasure would not only strike yet another blow against our ever-depleting national pub heritage, but deprive the Netherton community, present and future, of a social hub that has served them for generations.
“The Star Inn is listed, but the clock is ticking. If there is no buyer, the planners might well approve a change of use, even though this is a time when the constant haemorrhaging of our nation’s pubs is causing huge public concern.
“Netherton lies at the heart of rural Northumberland, with the National Trust's renowned visitor magnet of Cragside only 14 miles away, and a new operator would be well-placed to take advantage of the region's booming tourism scene. A thriving pub that is also a heritage attraction in itself could drive more footfall and invigorate the whole area even more."
Ends
Notes for editors:
Photos of the Star Inn by Michael Slaughter here.
About the Star Inn
In August 2025, the building received Grade II listing status with Historic England and is included on CAMRA’s National Inventory of Historic Pub Interiors, for its outstanding national importance. It is one of only seven pubs of such major historic stature still left in the whole North East.
The Star Inn also has history as the only pub in Northumberland to appear in every Good Beer Guide for 40 consecutive years from 1974 to 2013. It sadly closed in 2023 due to the ill-health of the landlady.
Find more information here.
Historic England listing here.
Rightmove listing
The Star Inn is advertised on Rightmove with an asking price of £385,000.
Rightmove describe the pub as:
“A rare example of a modest and largely unaltered Edwardian public house retaining much character together with a substantial range of adjoining stone outbuildings set in gardens and grounds extending to approximately 0.5 hectare (1.2 acres). The property is Grade II listed and dates back to 1788 then extended significantly in 1902, situated in the centre of an attractive Upper Coquet Valley village. Subject to necessary consents, the buildings have potential for conversion to provide letting rooms and/or restaurant facilities. The property is freehold, a free house, the only pub in Northumberland to appear in every Good Beer Guide for 40 consecutive years from 1974 to 2013 inclusively and will be sold with vacant possession.”
More information on Rightmove.
The Star Inn is also listed for sale with a local agent, Ayre Property Services in Rothbury, Northumberland. More information here.
About CAMRA’s Pub Heritage Group
CAMRA is committed to protecting the dwindling stock of truly historic pub interiors, from Victorian gin palaces and Art Nouveau extravaganzas to rural time warps and Inter-war street corner locals. CAMRA's National Inventory of Historic Pub Interiors lists the most precious of these survivors. The Pub Heritage Group is made up of CAMRA members passionate about protecting and promoting these historic gems for future generations to treasure and enjoy.
