The Ridley Arms: A Destination Pub in Stannington
An 18th-century coaching inn on the old Great North Road with well-cooked British pub food, real fires, and one of the best beer gardens near Morpeth.
Some pubs are just the local. The Ridley Arms is the kind of pub people drive to. Tucked into the heart of Stannington — a quiet village just south of Morpeth, signposted from the A1 — it's an 18th-century coaching inn with proper food, real fires, and a sunny terrace that makes summer evenings worth the short trip.
The History
The Ridley Arms was built as a coaching inn on what was then the Great North Road — the main route from London to Edinburgh. It was originally called the Howard Arms, after the Howard family (Earls of Carlisle) who built the inn. It was later renamed The Ridley Arms after the Ridley family, who own the surrounding estate and much of the land around Stannington.
That coaching-inn heritage is still visible in the building's layout — the multiple rooms, the deep-set fireplaces, the sense of a place built for travellers to stop, warm up, and eat well.
Best for: An 18th-century coaching inn on the old Great North Road, originally the Howard Arms. Now the heart of Stannington village.
The Food
The Ridley Arms is run by Sir John Fitzgerald, a Newcastle-based pub group with a reputation for well-kept pubs. The food is classic British pub cooking with an emphasis on fresh local produce — nothing experimental, but consistently well-executed.
The main menu covers the ground you'd expect: North Sea battered cod and chips, steak pie, burgers with sweet potato fries and slaw, chicken tikka skewers, salmon fishcakes, and a vegetarian lasagne. Portions are generous and the prices are fair for the quality.
Sunday lunch is the main draw — the roast is popular enough to be worth booking ahead. Beef, pork, and a changing third option, served with all the trimmings. It's the kind of Sunday roast that people build their weekend around.
The kitchen also runs a separate children's menu and a desserts menu.
Kitchen Hours
- Monday–Thursday: 12pm–8pm
- Friday–Saturday: 12pm–9pm
- Sunday: 12pm–7pm
Best for: Well-cooked British pub food with strong Sunday roasts. Book ahead for weekends.
The Drinks
The bar keeps a decent range of cask ales alongside the usual lagers, a wine list, and spirits. Nothing craft-forward or experimental — this is a pub that does the basics well. The Fitzgerald group tends to keep its hand pulls in good condition, which is what matters.
The Building and Grounds
The interior has several distinct areas — a cosy bar with real wood fires for winter, a more formal dining area, and a function room available for hire Monday–Thursday. The character of the building is genuine: stone, timber, fireplaces, the proportions of a coaching inn that's been receiving guests for centuries.
Outside, there's a secure enclosed terrace and roadside seating for warmer months. The terrace is the reason many people come — south-facing, sheltered, with views of village life trickling past. On a sunny afternoon, there are few better places to sit with a pint near Morpeth.
Dog-friendly throughout. There's a car park, disabled access, and free Wi-Fi.
Getting There
The Ridley Arms is in the centre of Stannington village, roughly 3 miles south of Morpeth. It's signposted from the A1 — take the Stannington exit and follow the road into the village. The pub is on your right.
From Morpeth town centre, it's a 5-minute drive. From Newcastle, it's about 15 minutes via the A1.
- Address: Stannington, Morpeth, NE61 6EL
- Phone: 01670 789216
- Website: sjf.co.uk/the-ridley-arms
- Booking: Via the website or by phone
Opening Hours
- Monday–Wednesday, Friday–Saturday: 11:30am–11pm
- Thursday: 11:30am–10pm
- Sunday: 11:30am–10:30pm
The Verdict
The Ridley Arms isn't trying to be anything it's not. It's a well-run country pub in a handsome old building, with reliable food, a good pint, and one of the best outdoor spaces in the Morpeth area. The coaching-inn history gives it character that no refurbishment could manufacture, and the Fitzgerald group keeps it in good shape without stripping out the soul.
If you haven't been, it's worth the short drive from Morpeth — especially on a sunny Sunday.
Been to The Ridley Arms? Let us know what you thought.