Best Butchers in Gosforth
Three independent butchers serve the Gosforth area — from an award-winning Rick Stein Food Hero to a self-taught Girl Butcher. Here's where to buy quality meat locally.
Gosforth has three independent butchers, each with a different character. One is an award-winning family business with Rick Stein's seal of approval. Another is run by a self-taught butcher who trained at some of London's finest shops. The third is a traditional high street fixture that's been serving the community for decades. Between them, you won't need to set foot in a supermarket meat aisle again.
Charlotte's Butchery
Charlotte's Butchery at 15 Ashburton Road (NE3 4XN) is run by Charlotte Harbottle, known locally as The Girl Butcher. Charlotte learned her trade working alongside established butchers in the North East and at high-end London shops including O'Shea's of Knightsbridge and Lidgate's in Holland Park, before opening her own place in Gosforth.
The range covers everyday essentials through to rare breed cuts, roasting joints, steaks, and stewing meat. The handmade pies and ready-to-cook options — things like Greek chicken kebabs and herby chicken lollipops — have built a loyal following. Charlotte offers free local delivery across Newcastle Monday to Saturday, which you can arrange by phone or through social media.
Open Monday to Friday 8am–5pm, Saturday 7am–3pm. Phone: 0191 285 1988.
Best for: Rare breeds, handmade pies, free delivery, trained at London's best.
George Payne Butchers
George Payne Butchers at 27 Princes Road, Brunton Park (NE3 5TT) has been a family butcher for over 40 years, with George establishing his own shop in 1987. This is the most decorated butcher in the area — George is one of Rick Stein's Food Heroes, a founder member of the national Butchers Q Guild, and a Northumbria Butcher of the Year winner. The shop has picked up local, regional, national, and international awards.
The focus is meat direct from the farm, with handmade sausages and quality cuts prepared on site. George Payne's hours are more limited than the others — Tuesday and Thursday mornings, Friday until 3pm, and Saturday until 3pm — so you need to plan around the schedule. Free local delivery is available.
Open Tuesday 9am–1pm, Thursday 9am–1pm, Friday 9am–3pm, Saturday 8:30am–3pm. Phone: 0191 236 2992.
Best for: Rick Stein Food Hero, award-winning, farm-direct meat, Brunton Park.
Donald Gilberts of Gosforth
Donald Gilberts in the Gosforth Shopping Centre (NE3 1JZ) is the traditional option — a straightforward, long-established butcher on the high street. It's the most convenient of the three if you're doing a regular shop in the centre, and the extended hours (7:30am to 5pm, six days a week) make it easy to pop in.
The range is standard but reliable: quality meat, poultry, and all the usual butchery staples. No website or online ordering — just an old-fashioned counter where you tell them what you need. Phone: 0191 213 2901.
Best for: Traditional counter, shopping centre convenience, long hours.
The quick comparison:
Charlotte's Butchery — rare breeds, free delivery, creative ready-to-cook options. Ashburton Road. George Payne — award-winning, farm-direct, limited hours but worth the trip. Brunton Park. Donald Gilberts — traditional counter, convenient location, reliable everyday choice. Shopping Centre.
More Gosforth food guides: best bakeries, best fish and chips, and best restaurants.
Know another butcher near Gosforth we should add? Get in touch.