North Shields, North Tyneside. Built in 1657 and operated as a pub since at least the early 1800s, taking its named from the nearby Low Light Lighthouse. The pub has served the Fish Quay community for centuries, becoming a beloved landmark and source of local identity. In addition to a good beer selection they are known for their excellent pub food (they offered a bacon wrapped cod dish the day I was there which smelled delicious) and Sunday roasts, serving over 200 each week (and they take no bookings!).

Another thing they are known for is their music scene. Irish, Northumbrian, and Scottish folk music bands are regulars, and owner Danny Higney encourages spontaneous sing-a-longs which are reminiscent of the traditional Irish bars he loves so much in Galway. Singer/songwriter Sam Fender, who was born and raised in North Fields, used to work in the pub and is a regular visitor when he is back in town (one of his Brit awards has been repurposed as a pumphandle!).

Another resident of North Shields is author Betsy Baskerville (aka Fay Allman) who features the pub in her first crime fiction novel "The Only Weapon in the Room". And over the fireplace in one of the rooms is a mural painted in 1956 by local painter Eddie Rowley of a trawler named The Abergeldie moored on the Western Quay with an undeveloped South Shields in the background. He painted it directly on the heavily textured anaglypta wallpaper while standing on a chair.

The interior features a small central bar with seating against the opposite wall, and a separate room on each end of the bar. Be careful of the uneven floors! I enjoyed a tasty Low Lights Ale from Three Kings Brewery in Tynemouth while I had a great chat with Danny (who thought I looked like Pirece Brosnan !?!). If you are ever in the northeast of England I highly recommend searching out this little jewel of a pub.