It is widely believed that the people’s love of beef began during the reign of King Henry the VII in 1485. His Yeomen Warders – the royal guard – would dine on fresh roasted beef every Sunday after church, and this became such a ritual that the guards were affectionately referred to as “beefeaters”.
Sunday roasts have remained a much loved tradition to this very day, and although we no longer cook meat in front of a fire, we still use the term ‘roast’. Nowadays, pubs, restaurants, and homes are all filled with families eating roasts on Sundays and often weekdays too! It is my favourite culinary highlight of the week so here are some of my Northumberland favourites starting in the pretty village of Chatton, Northumberland.
Percy Arms Chatton NE65 5PS
First off, it’s fair to say that The Percy Arms in the pretty village of Chatton is a cracking venue. Built as a coaching inn, it has now been fully renovated to a high standard and also has 5 unique luxurious bedrooms and just a stones throw from both the beautiful Northumberland coast and countryside.
The bar is comfortable, homely and traditional – particularly inviting during the cold winter months – the indoor dining areas and private dining areas are smart, with a relaxed and stylish Northumberland -chic feel, also now with the addition of an outside patio area, for all year round dining options. The contemporary bar area is spacious and dog friendly as well as a comfortable setting for the quality meal we enjoyed.
Numerous dishes on the menu caught our eye, including the steaks and local favourites, such as the handmade beef burger or the hand-raised pie of the day. But as it’s Sunday and my favourite meal of the week it was always going to be the Sunday roast. A starter of ham hock and cheddar croquette served with chefs own homemade piccalilli; beef and pork for mains and a warming sticky toffee pudding and a comforting apple and ginger crumble with custard for desserts.
It was good to see that pleasingly, the menu made a nod to The Percy Arm’s keep it local mantra and stated that the venue sources as many local ingredients as possible.
I have to say the starter of ham hock & cheddar croquette was a show stopper and a fantastic way to set the tone of what was to follow. The ham hock was moreish and the cheddar a perfect contrast to chefs pack a punch piccalilli!
For the mains, the beef sirloin was well cooked – just over pink in colour, tender and rich – while Mr CC claimed his Belly Pork a delight and very much enjoyed the crisp crackling too. Our roasts were served with roast potatoes, mashed potatoes, mashed swede and roasted parsnip along with sides of carrot, Savoy cabbage, green beans and broccoli cooked perfectly. The Yorkshire puddings almost needed a plate of their own they were that big whilst the gravy was thick and rich and plenty of it.
Onto the deserts and worth mentioning the generous portions. The Apple and Ginger crumble was fiery with lashings of old school style custard whilst the sticky toffee pudding was drenched in caramel sauce and served with locally produced vanilla ice cream which was a delicious end to a wonderful meal, we will definitely be back soon. Check out their menus here:
🐶dog friendly
🍽 inside and outdoor dining
🍽 private dining rooms available
💻 free WiFi
🅿️ Parking
👨👩👧👦 family friendly
Beadnell Towers Beadnell NE67 5AY
Well you may need couple of hours sleep after enjoying a wonderful leisurely Sunday lunch at Beadnell Towers. If you’re looking for Sunday lunch in a beautiful coastal village a stones throw from the beach that not only looks well presented but also offers generous portions, good quality local produce, seasonally inspired desserts and of course wonderful hospitality then check out the Beadnell Towers In Beadnell.
Consistently good having eaten Sunday lunch here many times recently, it was again cooked to perfection by Chef Chris Dodds and the Beadnell Kitchen team. Chris has a highly distinguished and varied culinary history, working in some of the most prestigious kitchens in the UK.
Starters include plates such as Hot Smoked Craster Salmon, Prawn & Crayfish Cocktail and Goats Cheese Fritter which was the choice of Mr CC which looked and tasted good I had to try it for research right! A hunk of sourdough bread topped generously with freshly roasted balsamic tomatoes and goats cheese fritters dressed with basil oil and pine nuts a really comforting yet refreshing start to the meal
For me, the success of the Sunday roast is as much down to the experience as it is the quality. Sundays are meant for relaxing, and that should be reflected in the food. I want to feel indulged, and relaxed whilst looking like a seal resting on the Farnes Islands! Using these measures I can say the experience was a definite success. The warmed plates (always a good start) were brought to the table with three thick slices of roast sirloin of Northumbrian beef , rich gravy, crisp on the outside and soft on the inside roast potatoes and a towering Yorkshire pudding followed promptly by generous vegetable side dishes including mashed swede, mixed greens and red cabbage which worked well with the rich gravy. The beef was tender and melt in the mouth and the pork soft with crisp crunchy crackling
As I have been lucky enough to have dined here on previous occasions I was sure to leave room for dessert, as the sticky pudding is truly delicious and like a ‘hug in a bowl’ intense and rich with nuggets of honeycombed like pieces running through it an absolute delight. A two course lunch at Beadnell Towers is £29.50 and at the higher end in price but as I mentioned earlier it’s also about the experience too, with professional, friendly and attentive staff no wonder they are proud to be included in the Sunday Times top 100 hotels. Walk-ins are welcome but to be honest I would advise booking especially in the busier months if you don’t want to be disappointed
🐶dog friendly
🅿️ Car parking available
🪴outdoor seating area
🍸cocktail menu & local ales
👨👩👧👦Childrens menu
💻 free WiFi
To book or for more details check here www.beadnelltowers.co.uk
The Northumberland Arms NE65 9EE
Unbelievably after all the Sunday lunches I’ve eaten in Northumberland I had never actually eaten at The Northumberland Arms in the picturesque village of Felton so I thought it was about time to check it out for my updated Sunday lunch blog. The Northumberland Arms is located in the small picturesque village of Felton and just by the beautiful River Coquet with its 16th century bridge yet just minutes drive from the close by A1.
As soon as we walked in we were greeted by friendly staff and seated at our table which was in a cosy room perfect for a crisp clear January Sunday in Northumberland. The hotel has a number of dining areas a restaurant/lounge area which are dog friendly, a further dining area and also a light and airy spacious conservatory perfect for private dining or celebrations and in the warmer months an outdoor patio area and bistro tables
We opted for the traditional Sunday lunch which is served between 12-3pm and priced at £13.95 which I think represented good value, it was very well presented, good portions with a good variety of vegetables and homemade Yorkshire pudding (extra points for the perfect pork crackling and stuffing ) There were GF, vegetarian and children's options available too, check out their website or Facebook page for more details.
Our Sunday lunch was served piping hot with roast potatoes, mash, mashed swede, parsnips, carrot, cavalo nero and mixed greens along with lashings of thick gravy, it was delicious and we both cleared our plates though we had left just sufficient room to share a pudding, Plum and Apple crumble which was to our delight was served with both custard and ice cream.
I must add here too that their Doggie Delights menu is one of the best I have seen with the pups having their very own choice of starters including a ham & pease pudding bowl, mains such as fish, broccoli & rice and desserts of beef dripping ice cream! Pawesome!
If you are looking for Sunday lunch in cosy and stylish Northumberland surroundings with friendly, welcoming and attentive service with creative food using locally sourced produce whenever possible at reasonable prices then The Northumberland Arms is a must visit.
The Northumberland Arms offers a range of other dining options too as well as having ?? bedrooms and the hotel is short distances to coastal locations with golden sandy beaches such as historic Warkworth and Amble with its maritime history. for more details check out their website below.
🐶dog friendly
🅿️ Car parking available
🍻local ales
👨👩👧👦Childrens menu/play park close by
💻 free WiFi
For more details visit their website www.northumberlandarms-felton.co.uk
The Tempus at Charlton Hall NE67 5DZ
Sunday Lunch… is not just a meal its an experience for me and a perfect way to
end the weekend is Sunday lunch at The Tempus Charlton Hall it doesn’t disappoint…
As always an exceptional experience. From the warm friendly service, stylish surroundings to the most delicious food, every aspect of our visit for Sunday lunch was wonderful.
The cosy and welcoming atmosphere and elegant décor, creates a perfect backdrop for pre lunch cocktails, Espresso Martinis anyone?
The service throughout as always is impeccable. The staff attentive, friendly, and lots of attention for 🐶🐶 who were given lots of treats, the genuine hospitality truly enhanced our Sunday dining experience.
The menu offers a wide range of options in addition to Sunday lunch catering to various dietary preferences and tastes. Though when it comes to Sunday I’m a traditionalist and it’s always going to be a roast. To start Mr CC enjoyed a Terrine of Chicken, leek & apricot, with sourdough and proclaimed it delicious
The main event the Sunday roasts; a Roast Belly Pork & Stuffing and thick cut sliced Sirloin of Beef both served with dripping roasties, roasted and seasonal vegetables, creamy mash, an added side of Cauliflower Cheese which was amazing and the biggest homemade Yorkshire pudding with a rich intense gravy 👌. The presentation was impressive and each mouthful flavourful. The portion size was generous, leaving me feeling very satisfied.
In addition to the mains we indulged in dessert. A warm Treacle Tart which when it arrived looked like a wedge of heavenly golden nugget served with seasonal Ginger Ice Cream & Spiced Apple Compote whilst the Sticky Toffee Pudding with vanilla ice cream came topped with a dulcey disc which melted away to reveal a rich sticky toffee pudding underneath both decadent treats and a perfect end to a Sunday lunch.
Consistently good yet again our Sunday lunch experience at The Tempus was fabulous. The combination of the relaxed ambiance, attentive service, and delicious food made for another memorable visit. Whether you're looking for a place to enjoy a leisurely meal with family or friends, or simply seeking a cosy spot to unwind on a Sunday afternoon, I highly recommend adding a Sunday lunch visit to your list.
The Tempus offers some of the best Northumbrian cuisine with emphasis on local produce and ingredients and is a dining experience nestled in the heart of the Charlton Estate, a perfect way to spend a Sunday by the coast.
🐶dog friendly, advise when booking
👨👩👧👦Childrens menu
💻 free WiFi
🌱GF, Vegetarian, Vegan, Dairy Free
options available
📆 walks in welcome but booking advisable
To book or for more information visit http://www.charltonhall.co.uk/thetempus/
The Bosk Alnwick
Branton NE66 4LW
If you are looking for a fabulous Sunday lunch in the heart of the Northumberland countryside ... let me introduce to you The Bosk. If you are craving a well presented and hearty Sunday lunch with views of the countryside then this is your sign to book The Bosk now! Located in the village of Branton not far from Wooler and Alnwick is this hidden gem and it sure makes for a cosy, relaxing venue for Sunday lunch and a great place for family and friends to gather together and catch up or to celebrate.
We enjoyed a real culinary experience showcasing some of the freshest and seasonal produce available in Northumberland. Think Golden crisp Yorkshire puddings, tender melt in the mouth meat and one of the best cauliflower cheeses and your guaranteed to have the best meal.
The Sunday lunch menu here offers 1/2/3 courses at a very reasonable £17, £24, £27 prices for fantastic quality and first class service
Starters included:
Pan Fried Garlic and Chilli King Prawns, Toasted Sourdough
Handcrafted Stornoway Black Pudding Scotch
Egg, Red Onion Chutney
Mains:
Striploin of Northumbrian Beef Roast loin of Pork with stuffing
Served with mouth watering trimmings;
Yorkshire Pudding, Roast Potatoes, Mashed Potatoes & Swede, Honey Roast Parsnips, Cauliflower Cheese, Seasoned vegetables, delicious Rich Gravy
Desserts:
Apple Crumble
Handmade Vanilla Cheesecake
Both served with local Doddington Vanilla Ice Cream
Cure your Sunday lunch cravings now and book The Bosk you won't be disappointed. Reservations can be made at The Bosk
01665 660129 Booking is strongly recommended to avoid disappointment. Let me know if it's on your list or if you've been already and enjoyed
The Lord Crewe Bamburgh NE69 7BL
Sunday Lunch The Lord Crewe, Bamburgh offers 2 course/3 course £26.95/£31.95 served between 12-4pm
No starters for us today but I absolutely love the Twice Baked Cuddy’s Cave Soufflé and Mr CC the Prawn Cocktail as starters and are a must try!
Main Courses today:
Roast Sirloin of Beef
Yorkshire Pudding, Duck Fat Roast Potatoes, Seasonal Vegetables & Gravy
Roast Loin of Pork
Yorkshire Pudding, Duck Fat Roast Potatoes, Crackling, Stuffing, Seasonal Vegetables, Gravy & Apple Sauce
And having already spotted deserts earlier on the menu easy choice today
Poached Pear & Almond Tart
Crème Anglaise
Sticky Toffee Pudding (V)
Butterscotch Sauce & Vanilla Ice Cream
Nice visit in lovely surroundings in the beautiful village of Bamburgh … be back soon for the cheese soufflé 😋again.
Book at https://www.lord-crewe.co.uk/
Ad Gefrin Distillery Wooler NE71 6NJ
Ad Gefrin Northumberland’s first ever Whisky Distillery located in Wooler and home to Tácnbora and Thirlings Gin and Bistro - has a fantastic selection of all day dining options available including everything from brunch, afternoon tea, and now Sunday lunch. If you are looking for a unique venue and a distillery in the heart of the Northumberland countryside then try out their Sunday lunch too. After a lovely warm welcome, we settled into our table enjoying the contemporary stylish surroundings and the relaxed atmosphere along with a roaring open fire perfect for a damp misling Northumberland Autumnal day.
Due to such a wide variety of other dining options available their Sunday lunch menu currently consists of a set menu where you can choose the main for £19, 2 courses £25 or 3 courses £30
We skipped the starter which was chef’s homemade Tomato & Basil soup served with locally sourced Bread & Roses Foccacia and went straight to mains the Roast Striploin of Beef. I know not everyone is a fan of pink beef and chef can accommodate your own personal preferences, but personally that’s how I enjoy it, and wow no exaggeration the beef was stunning, locally sourced from Butterworths it was so tender, melt in the mouth and accompanied by one of the most delicious ‘jus’ I’ve tasted. Now I don’t usually do jus preferring gravy when it comes to a traditional Sunday lunch but you know what in this case the flavours were so intense and rich I would definitely make an exception, the flavour was totally moreish, and in fact I did ask for more which the lovely staff were more than happy to accommodate me with. The main came served with roasted Charlotte Potatoes, Seasonal vegetables and of course Yorkshire Pudding which I used to mop up every last bit of the jus! We added Cauliflower Cheese as an extra when we spotted it was made with local Doddington cheese which is another favourite of ours.
Having spotted Sticky Toffee pudding on the menu earlier we were sure to leave room for dessert and I couldn’t help indulge in a slice of their Pear & Ginger cake too. Desserts come with a choice of pouring cream or vanilla ice cream and perhaps an addition of custard would be good especially for the oncoming winter months, but the ginger from the cake had a lovely warmth and was more than enough to keep me happy.
If you are looking for a great dining experience with warm friendly service in a unique setting using good quality local ingredients and supporting other local businesses then Ad Gefrin is a must to add to your list.
As well as a bistro, distillery, and Anglo Saxon museum, be sure to check out their gift shop where you will find not only their very own Tácnbora Whisky and Thirlings Gin but also a range of items showcasing local talents such as pottery from Ravn Clay in Ford
The Bistro is open from 10am-6pm every day except Tuesdays.
Brunch Menu from Thur ~ Sun between 10am until 12pm &
Sunday Lunch served from 12 noon
Afternoon Tea is available from Fri ~ Sun from 2pm - 4pm and must be booked at least 24 hours in advance.
For more info visit www.adgefrin.co.uk
The Jolly Fisherman Craster NE66 3TR
Set in the picturesque fishing village of Craster and in walking distance of the dramatic Dunstanburgh Castle, The Jolly Fisherman is a tastefully refurbished village pub with tradition and character at its heart, along with delicious home cooking and beautifully kept local ales. As soon as you enter the bar area (which is dog friendly along with the Captain’s Cabin) you feel that warm cosy Northumbrian welcome which you would expect from a Northumberland village pub, real ale, a good selection of drinks and both ‘sea and land’ dishes available on the menus.
As you may know I’m quite ritualistic about my Sunday lunch and always hope it to be a feast of a meal loaded with trimmings that leads to a lazier afternoon. Well I wasn’t disappointed. As well as their extensive daytime menu which serves up small plates such as kipper scotch eggs with truffle mayo and devilled crab rarebit (which I can personally recommend too along with the homemade chips which are fabulous) there is also a daily specials boards which on Sundays includes a traditional choice of Sunday roasts.
Today we opted for the Sirloin of Beef (£16) and the Pork loin at (£15) which for the quality and portions I think is very reasonable especially when combined with amazing castle and sea views from across the restaurant. The Sunday roast meats were accompanied by creamy mash potato (refreshingly at no extra charge) huge, crisp and fluffy in the centre roast potatoes, roast parsnips, carrots, mixed greens and delicious home made Yorkshire pudding topped off with thick delicious gravy, I also asked for extra gravy too which was no problem at all. The pork was served with crackling and stuffing too. We also added a side of unctuous cauliflower cheese as an extra which went down a treat.
Though we were both bursting at the seams by the end of our mains and probably ready to capsize, after a short break, we decided to ‘drop anchor’ and plumped for the sticky toffee pudding which was drenched in sticky toffee sauce served with vanilla ice cream and a very seasonal tarte tatin again served with vanilla ice cream and Chantilly cream.
In addition to delicious food well done kitchen team, I feel a special mention should also be given to all of the waiting staff , every single one of them polite, engaging, welcoming, informative and full of Northumbrian spirit throughout our visit so well done Team JF.
🐶❤️Dog Friendly in bar/Captains Cabin
👩👩👧👦 Family friendly
🅿️ Limited parking at the pub but a pay
car park about a five minute walk away
♿️ Access in bar and beer garden
🌱 GF, Vegetarian, Vegan, Dairy Free
options available
📆 Whilst walk ins are welcome to avoid
disappointment it’s best to book in
Bewicks Rothbury NE65 7UP
If you’re looking for a warm welcome, lovely friendly staff, countryside views and walks and a tasty traditional Sunday roast be sure to check out Bewicks Kitchen located in the market town of Rothbury near to the River Coquet. From the moment you arrive you are made to feel welcome and 🐶both inside and outside where there is a lovely seated garden area for the warmer months . After a super busy week all I wanted was a well cooked traditional Sunday roast and that’s exactly what we had. The Yorkshire Puddings were huge and almost needed their own plate, they were light & crispy on the outside and pudding in the middle just how I like them. I chose the topside of beef thickly cut slices (rib eye cooked medium rare is also available too) Mr CC chose pork loin which arrived with sage & onion, again homemade and super tasty, roast potatoes (which I have to say are the some of the best in a while) mashed potatoes, and sides of swede, carrots, red cabbage and added cauliflower cheese, and lashings of gravy. After a generous lunch I really didn’t think we would manage dessert, however I had already seen chefs Boozy Trifle was on the menu and we have no willpower when it comes to sticky toffee pudding especially when served with delicious vanilla custard, the pudding was moist and the toffee sauce drenched the pudding and was delicious and really made the dessert tastes stand out, both a perfect end to the meal. Thanks to Bewick's Kitchen & Coffee House for a wonderful visit and lunch, hope to see you all again soon. Check out their page for more information on their opening times and details of their catering events and menus
The Dirty Bottles Alnwick
The Dirty Bottles, within sight of Alnwick Castle – or as the locals in Alnwick, Northumberland say it ‘Thi Dorty Bottles’ – pub has been open for over two centuries and the building is thought to have been constructed in the 1600’s.
The pub was previously called Ye Old Cross Inn but due to the famous “Curse of the Dirty Bottles“, said bottles remained untouched in one of the front windows and a sign was affixed at the window, which read ‘Dirty Bottles’, so most local Alnwick folk adopted that name and we have continued with that tradition.
As you enter the restaurant it is fresh and welcoming retaining its period charm whilst also feeling modern at the same time. There are spacious booths for friends and family catch ups and a dog friendly area next to a cosy wood burning fire.
The staff were warm and welcoming, engaging but not intrusive. The menu is varied and along with their great value Sunday lunch range from 1 course at £10.95, 2 courses £15.95 and 3 courses £17.95 offering lots of different options including vegan, gluten free and a childrens menu. The drinks menus are worth a mention too as they have an extensive wine list, cocktails and a good alcohol free mocktail section although would benefit from a couple more alcohol free options behind the bar.
Our Sunday lunch a choice of beef and belly pork arrived with an array of vegetables (I counted 8 different vegetables) homemade Yorkshire pudding, mashed potatoes, roast potatoes and a huge jug of gravy, the portions and choice were incredible value. Even though we were both pleasantly comfortable after our main course we couldn’t resist the dessert menu and opted for sticky toffee pudding which was drenched in toffee sauce and served with a silky vanilla ice cream, a real sweet treat and up there with the best we have eaten!
I was really impressed by our lunch and I’m pleased to say that the Dirty Bottles Sunday lunch was most definitely not ‘cursed’ and more of a fairytale with a happy ending
🐶dog friendly area (not in main restaurant)
🍽 varied choice of menu and drinks
🅿️ Parking in the town centre not on site
🍽 indoor dining
💙 vibrant, modern, family friendly
The Oaks Alnwick NE66 2PN
Its been a little while since we last visited The Oaks in Alnwick, a cosy traditional Northumberland pub with restaurant ideally located for exploring historic town centre of Alnwick with Alnwick Castle, Alnwick Gardens and the recently opened children's playground Lildorei just minutes away, for no reason other than being super busy and having other commitments on. So on a rather wet February Sunday we were glad to have already booked in to their bar area where it is dog friendly, they do accept walk ins but let me say this venue is popular both with locals and visitors to the area so to avoid disappointment I would advise booking as after arriving shortly after 12.00 noon both the bar and restaurant areas were bustling and almost full
As always we were greeted with a warm welcome and promptly settled into our table, drinks orders taken and menus given. In addition to the Sunday lunch menu there are extensive daily menus too, everything from burgers, to steaks and sharing plates of food, perfect for both friends and family gatherings.
On Sundays lunch is a carvery so I headed over to the pass to see Chef Neil, a very friendly and jovial Chef where he and his team had prepared a trio of meats including beef, pork and turkey, along with a wide selection of fresh vegetables including swede, cabbage and roast parsnips, roast potatoes, mashed potatoes, the crispiest pork crackling ever, stuffing and the hugest Yorkshire puddings, with as much ‘proper’ gravy as you like. Fantastic value at £14.00, £15.00 for lamb, also a children's menu available and dietary requirements catered for.
On this occasion we didn’t have any room left for desserts but there were plenty of choices available with one of our favourites on the menu, sticky toffee pudding along with an interesting sounding Geordie Lemon Frangipane Tart and a Milk Chocolate Cheesecake enough to satisfy any sweet tooths and a gain reasonably priced at around £7.50
The staff I feel deserve a special mention at the Oaks Hotel too (did I mention they also have 12 bedrooms) From the moment we arrived during a very busy service today every single member of staff we came in to contact with were friendly, engaging, efficient, helpful and enthusiastic throughout our visit, well done to you all Team Oaks.
In addition to great value food and hospitality the Oaks is also dog friendly both inside and out. Outside also offers an extensive seating area perfect for summer dining.
If I were to sum up our visit again to The Oaks, Alnwick today I would say what a friendly, traditional and welcoming pub/hotel it is, offering a good range of drinks and eating options, perfect for families, friends and couples, great value with friendly, efficient and enthusiastic staff. If you’re in Alnwick then check out The Oaks.
www.oakshotelalnwick.co.uk
🐶dog friendly
🍽 Sunday carvery
🅿️ Available
🌱dietary requirements catered for
👨👩👧👦 Family friendly
💙 Friendly, traditional, value
Central location
The Bamburgh Castle Inn Seahouses NE68 7SQ
If you’re looking for a generous plate of food then check out The Bamburgh Castle Inn. We hadn’t booked our Sunday lunch as we were meeting friends before hand and not sure how long we would be! On arrival just after 1pm it was almost full so we were lucky to get a table. Last time we had Sunday lunch here it was a carvery but now you order food and drinks at the bar. I have to say I’ve been into the Bamburgh Castle Inn on a few different occasions at different times of the day and on each visit I have always found all of the staff to be friendly, efficient and engaging and today was no different. We both ordered roast beef today (you can choose from small £9, standard £16 which is in the 📸and was a huge portion or £18 for a large plate). We hadn’t been sat long at all when lunch arrived on huge heated plates with a very generous portion of beef, lashings of thick gravy, homemade Yorkshire pudding, roasties, mashed potatoes and mashed swede along with a side dish of carrots, cabbage and broccoli. It’s not often I’m defeated 😮when it comes to eating my Sunday lunch but today I have to confess I had to leave some broccoli and give a slice of my beef to Mr CC, not even room for pudding today. So whilst the price of lunch was a little more than other places we have visited there’s one thing we didn’t leave hungry. There are lots of other eating options available too if you’re not wanting Sunday lunch and another thing I liked today in addition to their great service, good food, generous portions and harbour views is that on the back of their menu is a QR reader which gives you all the dietary requirement information really useful for V, GF, Dairy Free etc. A great visit Bamburgh Castle Inn see you again soon.
🐶❤️Dog friendly
⚓️ Harbour Views
🪴Outdoor seating
🍽 Dietary requirements catered for
👨👩👧👦 Childrens menu available
For more details check www.inncollectiongroup.com
The Pack Horse Inn Ellingham NE67 5HA
On a freezing cold Sunday in February and battling the cold North winds, the warm welcome and wood burning stove on entering the Pack Horse Inn in the pretty village of Ellingham were most welcome. We were promptly shown to our table by the window overlooking the village and settled in with menus and drinks. There is also a snug/bar area which is another dog friendly area at the front of the pub with it’s own log burning fire and a conservatory dining area separate from the bar area. Though a good offering of starters available we were both ready for the mains and went straight to Sunday lunch. The Pack Horse prides itself on its local produce with much of its menu being sourced from local farms and suppliers. After a short while our main courses arrived and we weren’t disappointed. Amazing thick slices of quality locally produced Belted Galloway Beef for myself and Pork Loin with crackling and stuffing for Mr CC, homemade Yorkshire Puddings, Roast new potatoes and accompanied by roast parsnips, carrots and mixed greens, with a copper pan of rich intense gravy which had a great consistency. I have to say I had seen neighbouring desserts earlier when we arrived so I was determined to make room and in fact I had already decided before even seeing next doors arrive that I would be ordering the Rhubarb Cheesecake and Spiced Apple & Plum Crumble and Custard. If there’s one piece of advice I would give here is to make sure that you leave room for pudding you won’t be disappointed. The cheesecake was delicious one of those you never want to end with a punchy rhubarb compote and the seasonal Spiced Apple & Plum crumble was comforting along with the lashings of thick vanilla custard that accompanied it.
All of the staff throughout our visit were so friendly, engaging and attentive, whilst being knowledgeable about the menu and the foods provenance which they clearly are very proud of. The Pack Horse Inn, Ellingham whilst being a lovely country styled village pub with good quality food also has a real community feel about it too and whilst we left feeling very satiated from such a lovely lunch we also left in high spirits due to the wonderful hospitality from both the staff and locals. If you’re looking for Sunday lunch that promotes use of local produce, generous portions, and a well balanced menu along with friendly staff then this one’s for you.
👨👩👦👦childrens menu
🐶dog friendly
🍺local ales
🍽dietary requirements catered for
For more details check www.packhorseinn-Ellingham.co.uk
Lord Crewe Arms Blanchland
Well I’m so pleased that the Lord Crewe Arms in Blanchland is on the borders of Northumberland as it’s a must try Sunday lunch. It’s a little different but different in a good way. Sunday lunch at the Lord Crewe Arms is a sharing experience and I must admit when I first heard this I was little worried as I’m not good at sharing when it comes to food with the rest of the table. However perfect for an indecisive foodie like me, especially when presented with three starters followed by a platter of three meats and finishing with three desserts - all shared between two of us. If all sharing experiences were like the Lord Crewe then this is definitely my kind of dining!
We arrived for our lunch at 12:30pm and were shown to our upstairs table, overlooking their beautiful garden where they also grow their own produce and perfect for outside dining in the summer months. There are so many hidden corners and rooms at the Lord Crewe Arms and with so many local beautiful walks close by it’s perfect for your pooch too, there is a dog friendly area downstairs by the huge open fire, in a snug corner of the bar.
The Crewe Sharing Lunch menu can vary depending on seasonality and is different every week so I was excited to see what delights were on the lunch menu; Starters (Parmesan & Sunblush Tomato Arancini; Ham Hock Terrine and Blue Cheese & Pear Salad) were a perfect way to begin and really set the tone for what was to come.
After a slight pause before the mains we were presented with The Sharing Platter of the day Strip loin Beef; Pork Loin with crackling and though Chicken was an option as we don’t eat chicken we were given extra beef and pork, the platter was served with Roast Potatoes, Yorkshire Puddings and Seasonal Vegetables and when the old styled school dinner tray appeared in front of us it was hard not to gasp with delight. What a generous chef, the portions were plentiful. I really enjoyed having the choice of different meats which were so tender and packed with flavour. The vegetables, a special nod to the Hispi cabbage were perfectly cooked whilst the roast potatoes crisp and mashed potatoes fluffy and creamy. The Yorkshire Pudding almost required a plate of its own whilst the gravy was rich and stocky and our server quite happily brought me more on request.
I really didn’t think we would make it to dessert or at least without a little nap in between but then I caught sight of next doors Sticky Toffee Pudding and knew it was a done deal.
The sharing desserts were Sticky Toffee Pudding, White Chocolate Brownie and Spiced Apple Crumble. Now this is where the sharing option really came into its own as often we always have ‘dessert dilemmas’ on who is having what but this allowed us to try both of our favourites and an extra, perfect! The apple in the crumble was soft with warming autumnal spices, whilst the sticky toffee pudding was luxurious and indulgent drenched in toffee sauce.
I can highly recommend Sunday lunch at the Lord Crewe Arms which costs £23.00 for two courses or £30.00 per person for three courses. It has to be one of the finest Sunday lunch experiences in Northumberland and possibly the North East we will definitely return soon.
Lord Crewe Arms Blanchland
DH8 9SP
The Fishing Boat Inn, Boulmer
NE66 3BP
Well what a treat Sunday lunch turned out to be at the FBI and I’m taking all the credit 😙.. well for choosing the venue at least! The Fishing Boat Inn, in Boulmer had just reopened following a short closure for a winter refresh and I have to say I love it. The bar as always was so cosy with its open fire glowing as you enter, but the restaurant now transformed into a much more open planned dining space showcasing its stunning sea views. We booked our table ahead but I noticed a couple of walk ins during our visit, though I have to say by the time we left it was already almost full (note no dogs allowed)
On arrival there was a lovely warm welcome from owner Lisa and her team, and a relaxed and cosy atmosphere both in the bar and restaurant, oh and did I mention the stunning sea views already! Seriously I could sit all day and watch the sea and the the wildlife from here, so many sea birds such as redshanks, cormorants and eiders resting and refuelling along the shoreline. Anyway with talk of refuelling let’s get to Sunday lunch.
There were some delicious sounding starters including Craster Kipper Pate and the FBI Prawn Cocktail but I was in the mood for pudding today so we skipped starters and went straight to the mains.
I ordered Topside of Beef, whilst Mr CC must have worked up an appetite on our earlier coastal walk deciding on the trio of meats (pork, beef & gammon) It wasn’t long before our food arrived, the Beef two thickly cut slices locally sourced from Greens Butchers of Longframlington, was cooked well but still with enough bite and was delicious whilst Mr CC hardly said a word enjoying his trio and polished off the lot, though I did manage to get a bit of the crispy crackling before everything else disappeared from his plate! Both lunches were accompanied by roast potatoes which were soft and fluffy in the middle along with mashed potatoes, mashed swede, baby carrots, red cabbage, roast parsnips and the biggest fluffiest homemade Yorkshire Pudding which were really tasty and melt in the mouth whilst the gravy obviously made with the meat juices was just delicious, I was so tempted to drink the last of the gravy, but showing sone decorum I used a soup spoon instead! There were GF and Vegetarian options available and a mushroom, brie & cranberry Wellington on the Sunday lunch menu.
The dinner was nicely presented and I wasn’t disappointed with the portion size it was more than sufficient, as you might have guessed I needed to leave room for pudding. I’m glad I did as there were two of my favourites on the dessert menu. Orchard Crumble a combination of Apple, Pears & Plums with a hint of cinnamon and an old school favourite, Ginger Pudding which was moist and drenched in sticky ginger sauce, and not overpowering just the right amount of heat and it was a real trip down old school memory lane. Again both good portions and served with jugs of deliciously creamy custard.
Sunday lunches start from £14 to £18 for the trio, with desserts at a very reasonable £6.90 each. It had been a while since our last visit to the Fishing Boat Inn but not for any other reason than lack of time. However based on this visit having enjoyed great food, local produce, a wonderfully warm and friendly welcome from the whole team and of course the stunning sea views I cannot wait to return to enjoy food from their lunch/evening menu and as they have rooms available for holiday rental right next door I may just have to stay over too! Have you visited the Fishing Boat Inn or will you be adding it to your list next visit let me know
Check here for more details on https://www.thefishingboatinn.com/eat-drink