St Mary's Inn

On the site of a former hospital, surrounded by farmland and now being developed as smart townhouses, the pub is a clever conversion of the original administration building. A handsome, red-brick, Edwardian affair, with mullioned windows and a clock tower, its interiors have been styled as a modern version of a traditional pub. The cosy warren of bars and dining areas, each with a fire or wood-burning stove, offer rugs on wooden floors, tongue-and-groove panelling, high-back settles and warm-coloured tartans. Upstairs, by contrast, the bedrooms are large, cool and uncluttered, and furnished with a mix of ‘modern rustic’ and country antiques. Brightly coloured throws and hangings add warmth while bathrooms are unexpectedly luxurious. You won’t go hungry; there’s an all-day dining menu supplemented with an evening a la carte. Expect to find traditional pub dishes cooked with flair and confidence - smoked mackerel on sourdough, puff-pastry topped savoury pies, confit pork belly and black pudding. The afternoon tea - daily home-made scones and cakes - is large enough for two. Three real ales include an own-label, brewed locally. Close to the airport (15 minutes) and the A1 (five minutes), it’s a good base for exploring south Northumberland - coast and Hadrian’s Wall - or as a relaxed, stylish and good-value alternative to Newcastle’s city-centre hotels.

Why do people love staying in your hotel? – We provide a warm and friendly environment with good home-cooked food and lovely bedrooms.

What is there to do in the area? – Northumberland has numerous places to visit including Hadrian’s Wall, the market town of Morpeth, Alnwick and Bamburgh Castles, the Northumbrian coastline. For children, Whitehouse Farm is 5 minutes away and for those wishing to hit the shops then Newcastle city centre is only a 20 minute drive.

What kind of breakfast do you offer? – We offer both Full Northumbrian and Continental breakfast

Do you offer other meals? And can you recommend good places to eat out locally? – We serve food daily from our Daytime Dining Menu, have an evening dinner menu, daily afternoon tea and Sunday lunch. The market town of Morpeth is less than 10 minutes drive and has a number of cafes and restaurants.

Which are your most popular room types, and why? – St Mary’s has 11 country-style bedrooms which include one accessible room, family rooms and one dog-friendly room.

What facilities do you have for children and can you fit extra beds in your rooms ? – We offer a children’s menu and can accommodate extra beds in some rooms.

What message would you like to give Hotel Guru readers? – St Mary’s provides a warm welcome to all visitors from near and far. We are family friendly and dog friendly and provide the perfect base for anyone wishing to explore the glory of Northumberland.