Afternoon Tea With A Twist

Few people rejoiced as much as me upon learning of the re-opening of St Mary's Inn in Morpeth last year.

This great British bolthole is now back doing what it does best; providing food and lodgings to the good people of Northumberland.

The venue has the feel of a proper Northumberland pub. Cosy snugs, roaring log fires and a neat selection of the good stuff on keg and cask.

Of course, this is also a pub with a sterling reputation for good food. I visited recently with my wife Lisa to sample a spot of afternoon tea – this time, with a twist.

St Mary’s Inn new “rustic” afternoon tea offers a hearty and generous reworking of the old classic. Gone are the dainty finger sandwiches of Old English gentility, replaced with doorstep sandwiches, Northumbrian stotties, chunky slices

of classic cakes, giant scones and wedges of savoury favourites.

We arrived a little early in order to slide down a quick pint in the bar before our tea. Amongst an extensive drinks selection is a lovely, custom-made St Mary’s Ale made especially by Northumberland’s Rigg & Furrow brewery – I can personally vouch for its charms.

The bar has a great social feel with many ordering drinks, munching on bar snacks, reading newspapers and playing board games. It’s clear that this is a pub right back at the heart of the community.

The pub is dog-friendly too with several snugs and dog-friendly rooms reserved for any four legged friends.

Afternoon Tea is served 12pm – 4pm Monday through Saturday. Good value is available at £15 per person with a glass of prosecco available for a £5 supplement – of course Lisa took full advantage. Kicking off, Lisa chose the smoked salmon &

cucumber sandwich on brown bloomer which she paired with a slab of cheese & onion quiche, a warm fruit scone with jam & clotted cream and warm chocolate brownie.

Yours truly chose the classic ham & pease pudding on white stottie with the beef & onion pie, warm cheese scone & butter and the carrot cake with orange cream cheese icing.

Although a treat-laden afternoon tea is all well and good, it was nice to sample an alternative. This rustic, farmhouse offering holds real appeal especially if – like me – you prefer more savoury flavours and was greatly enjoyed against the cosy backdrop of St Mary’s Inn.

It was great to be back.