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Sunday lunch North East: St Mary’s Inn review for families

Sunday Bliss in the North East: St Mary’s Inn review

If you’re hunting for a family-friendly pub with historic charm in the North East, St Mary’s Inn should be at the top of your list. Tucked inside a modern housing development, this converted hospital block delivers a Sunday lunch experience that’s equal parts hearty comfort and unexpected flair.

From hospital halls to cosy pub corners

St Mary’s Inn was once the administration block for St Mary’s Hospital. Today, it’s a pub and restaurant that balances history with homely warmth. White brick walls, framed black-and-white photos, and old hospital plans create a backdrop that’s as charming as it is conversation-starting. There’s something quietly reassuring about a place that honours its past while inviting new memories.

A Northern twist on traditional Sunday lunch

Walking in after a busy week of school runs, work, and gym sessions, we were ready to be pampered. The menu offers classic pub grub with a Northern twist: think melt-in-the-mouth roast beef, golden Yorkshire puddings, and generous portions for kids. Even the little one’s meal was presented thoughtfully; he declared it better than mine, and I couldn’t argue.

“Even the little one’s meal was presented thoughtfully; he declared it better than mine, and I couldn’t argue.”

Starters that set the tone

We began with prawn cocktail, garlic sourdough, and goats’ cheese on toast. No fuss, just flavours that work, executed with confidence. Simple, honest, and satisfying, exactly what you want from a Sunday lunch starter.

Mains that make you linger

The main courses were the stars: roast chicken, roast beef, and a nut roast that proves vegetarians can enjoy Sunday lunch too. Each dish came with perfectly cooked vegetables, a rich gravy, and that all-important golden-crisp Yorkshire pudding. The kids’ portion was generous, proving that family-friendly dining doesn’t mean compromising on quality.

Sweet endings worth every calorie

Dessert deserves a paragraph of its own. The sticky toffee pudding was dark, treacly, and indulgent. By the last bite, we were content, slightly smug, and already planning our next visit.

“The sticky toffee pudding was dark, treacly, and indulgent. By the last bite, we were content, slightly smug, and already planning our next visit.”

Why St Mary’s Inn is a must-visit

From warm service to hearty food and a welcoming atmosphere, St Mary’s Inn offers one of the best Sunday lunches in the North East. Whether you’re local or just passing through, it’s worth a detour, and pairing it with a visit to Whitehouse Farm to balance out the pudding.

Family-friendly, historic, and full of flavour, St Mary’s Inn ticks every box for a Sunday escape that feels like a treat rather than just a meal.

Star rating

🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 Food – hearty, flavoursome, and generous portions

🌟🌟🌟🌟 Ambience – historic charm with cosy corners

🌟🌟🌟🌟 Service – friendly and attentive

🌟🌟🌟🌟 Family-friendly – kids feel welcome, portions perfect

One of the best Sunday lunches in the North East at St Mary's Inn, Stannington
Sunday lunch at St Mary's Inn
Sticky toffee pudding at St Mary's Inn
Cheese board at St Mary's Inn
St Mary's Inn

14 responses to “Sunday lunch North East: St Mary’s Inn review for families”

  1. Kayla Avatar

    Your dish looks and sound delicious.

  2. Chelsea Avatar
    Chelsea

    I love when historic buildings are refurbished into something new to serve the community, while still keep original charm!
    The food also looks amazing!

  3. Renee Avatar
    Renee

    Looks like a great family trip! And a great meal!

  4. Favour Avatar

    Nice one you’ve got there.
    Gonna try it out sometime

  5. Michele Avatar
    Michele

    OMG! The food looks amazing… Well so does St Mary’s. I love places like this, that feels homey. Love it. Thank you for sharing.

  6. Maysz Avatar
    Maysz

    The place looks good perfect for family bonding and the food looks yum! Great spot awesome photos!

  7. Jessica Collazo Avatar

    The place looks so cozy. Love that homie vibe it has. And that food looks so delicious. Is a great family time.

  8. Shelley at BeyondPennies Avatar
    Shelley at BeyondPennies

    Love your photos, and the food looks amazing! Thank you for sharing.

  9. Neil Alvin Avatar
    Neil Alvin

    Great article. This is something worth reading. Thanks for sharing. I learned a lot from you again.

  10. Vasundhra Avatar
    Vasundhra

    Your pictures are excellent! And it looks like you all had a great family day out 🙂 Thanks for sharing your story with us!

  11. aisasami Avatar
    aisasami

    What a fantastic place to enjoy any kind of meal. Glad that you enjoyed it!

  12. Janay @ https://justjournee.com/ Avatar

    I love these photos they are awesome. I would love to try that dish. Yummy!

  13. Lavern Moore Avatar
    Lavern Moore

    Wow this food especially the roast looks so hearty. I l love how they played the food.

  14. Magen Avatar
    Magen

    That food looks so yummy and the place is so cute!

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Saffron and Cyrus is a Newcastle-based family lifestyle blog, covering health, wellness, days out, travel, reviews, recipes and more from our family life.
The blog is written by new mum over 40, Aranda, with input from hubby H and son, Little C.

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14 Comments

  1. March 6, 2020 / 10:02 pm

    Your dish looks and sound delicious.

  2. Chelsea
    March 6, 2020 / 10:12 pm

    I love when historic buildings are refurbished into something new to serve the community, while still keep original charm!
    The food also looks amazing!

  3. Renee
    March 6, 2020 / 10:22 pm

    Looks like a great family trip! And a great meal!

  4. March 7, 2020 / 8:10 am

    Nice one you’ve got there.
    Gonna try it out sometime

  5. Michele
    March 8, 2020 / 3:49 am

    OMG! The food looks amazing… Well so does St Mary’s. I love places like this, that feels homey. Love it. Thank you for sharing.

  6. Maysz
    March 8, 2020 / 9:13 am

    The place looks good perfect for family bonding and the food looks yum! Great spot awesome photos!

  7. March 8, 2020 / 9:24 am

    The place looks so cozy. Love that homie vibe it has. And that food looks so delicious. Is a great family time.

  8. Shelley at BeyondPennies
    March 8, 2020 / 9:27 pm

    Love your photos, and the food looks amazing! Thank you for sharing.

  9. Neil Alvin
    March 8, 2020 / 11:48 pm

    Great article. This is something worth reading. Thanks for sharing. I learned a lot from you again.

  10. Vasundhra
    March 9, 2020 / 1:26 pm

    Your pictures are excellent! And it looks like you all had a great family day out 🙂 Thanks for sharing your story with us!

  11. aisasami
    March 9, 2020 / 3:34 pm

    What a fantastic place to enjoy any kind of meal. Glad that you enjoyed it!

  12. Lavern Moore
    March 20, 2020 / 8:26 pm

    Wow this food especially the roast looks so hearty. I l love how they played the food.

  13. Magen
    March 24, 2020 / 4:53 pm

    That food looks so yummy and the place is so cute!

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