The Kirkstyle Inn and Sportsman’s Rest was recently named the ‘Best Pub Stay’ in The Times and Sunday Times Best Places to Stay 2025 guide. So naturally, as a pub enthusiast, I couldn’t wait to discover this Northumberland gem for myself. This is high praise indeed from the discerning publication, and it’s not the only one making noise around this Northumberland gem. The pub was also recently nominated as a national finalist in two categories of the 2024 Great British Pub Awards (Best Country Pub and Best Pub for Food).
Discovering The Kirkstyle Inn: Award-Winning Pub Stay in Northumberland
The Kirkstyle Inn and Sportsman’s Rest has earned its place among the finest pub stays in the UK, recently crowned ‘Best Pub Stay’ by The Times and Sunday Times Best Places to Stay 2025 guide. This Northumberland gem combines four beautifully designed bedrooms overlooking the South Tyne Valley with an intimate 40-seater restaurant led by Head Chef Connor Wilson. The pub’s wrap-around bar creates a welcoming atmosphere where locals and visitors alike gather to enjoy exceptional hospitality in this remote countryside location.
Exceptional Dining and Luxurious Accommodation at The Kirkstyle Inn
What truly sets The Kirkstyle Inn apart is its acclaimed restaurant, serving inventive seasonal dishes that rival London’s finest dining establishments. Guests can indulge in a sophisticated tasting menu for £85 per person, featuring highlights like smoked celeriac and haggis, Dover sole, and venison tartare. Each luxurious bedroom features king-size Hypnos mattresses, eco-friendly Bath House toiletries, and stunning valley views. With rooms starting from £200 per night including breakfast, this award-winning destination offers the perfect blend of countryside tranquility and culinary excellence.
The Kirkstyle Inn and Sportsman’s Rest, which features an intimate 40-seater restaurant with Head Chef Connor Wilson at the helm, boasts four beautifully crafted bedrooms that overlook the stunning South Tyne Valley. Each has its distinct decor, with a countryside spin that fuses vintage styles with contemporary luxury — a big tick for this cosy Northumberland pub.
But the real jewel in the crown of The Kirkstyle Inn and Sportsman’s Rest is its acclaimed restaurant. With dishes that could hold their own in any of London’s most sought-after dining spots, this historic inn should be firmly on the list of any foodie visiting the area (and they also offer a lovely-sounding Sunday roast if you live nearby).
As we arrived at The Kirkstyle Inn and Sportsman’s Rest, we were immediately struck by the views. No photograph on a website could ever do justice to the pub’s epic surroundings. Hikers sat with pints on the patio, admiring the view, and we immediately began to understand just why this pub has earned such a sterling reputation.
After check-in, we embarked on a gentle stroll alongside lambs frolicking in open fields, musing over the sheer beauty of Northumberland’s countryside vistas. However, before long, the quintessential British weather caught us off guard. The heavens opened despite the deceptively sunny start, prompting a brisk dash back to the pub.
After being greeted by a knowing smile from the bar staff who likely noted our lack of suitable attire (as a northerner, the chance of rain really should be on my radar), we made our way upstairs and thawed out with a hot shower in the luxurious bathroom. The reward for our misadventure was a vivid rainbow arcing over the South Tyne Valley, framed perfectly by our bedroom’s expansive window. A snapshot so perfect it could have been printed on a postcard.
The Kirkstyle Inn is the kind of place you’ll likely only find if you already know about it, nestled in a sleepy area of Northumberland. Nearby, you’ll find neighbouring accommodation, The Old Rectory, an old church and a handful of houses, but it’s this remote location that offers such a peaceful break. Yet despite this, the pub was bustling with locals and those in the know visiting from afar, as we found when we made our way downstairs after a quick outfit change and in search of a pre-dinner cocktail.
The wrap-around bar is the heart of the pub. It’s a warm, welcoming space that invites conversation, whether you’re settling in for dinner or dropping by after a day cycling through the hills. It had the feel of a place where regulars are greeted by name; a refreshing contrast to the often impersonal, fast-paced drinking and dining culture of London. Having said this, we out-of-towners were still greeted with that same warmth as we perused the cocktail menu.
Before long, we were seated at our table and decided on two glasses of wine with the help of Kirkstyle’s resident sommelier, Alex Gautereau, who guided us through the extensive wine menu. As well as starters, mains, and desserts, the restaurant at The Kirkstyle Inn and Sportman’s Rest has charming ‘Pre Starters’, tasty little morsels that set the tone for the rest of the meal. We shared pickled mackerel with plum umeboshi (pickled plum), served with cured trout roe and sourdough, along with a seaweed tart filled with sheep’s cheese mousse, topped with roasted sunflower seeds. Inventive and completely delicious.
To start, my dining companion opted for scallops with a mushroom and spelt ragout, while I enjoyed a light and refreshing dish of plaice with radishes and a dill emulsion. No notes. However, it was my main course of guinea fowl pie and mash that stole the show. I may have mentioned already, I come from the north; we love pie. But this pie in particular was the epitome of a truly elevated dish, bringing new meaning to the beloved staple, presented as a thin slice with exposed layers of greens and filling, finished with a perfect glaze.
Dessert offered a satisfying end to the meal. My guest enjoyed a selection of cheeses, while I savoured a rhubarb soufflé accompanied by custard ice cream. Pleasantly full, thoroughly looked after and wiped out from the country air, we retired to our cosy room under the starry Northumberland sky and enjoyed a restful night in a very comfortable bed — what else would you expect from one of the most acclaimed pubs in the UK?
The rooms at The Kirkstyle Inn and Sportsman’s Rest
There are four bedrooms at The Kirkstyle Inn and Sportsman’s Rest — each with the same luxury amenities. In each room, you’ll find a king-size bed with a super-comfortable Hypnos mattress, a smart TV (elegantly integrated into the decor with a painting-style screensaver that doesn’t detract from the decor when not in use), and a Bluetooth DAB radio.
Towels are soft and fluffy, and there are robes hung behind the door for that all-important moment with a cup of coffee in the morning. Another lovely touch is that the bathroom features eco-friendly Bath House toiletries, which not only look aesthetically pleasing but also smell delicious.
The restaurant at The Kirkstyle Inn and Sportsman’s Rest
It’s the restaurant at The Kirkstyle Inn and Sportsman’s Rest that has caused such a stir in the hospitality industry. And with good reason. Dishes are seasonal and inventive, with a focus on locally sourced ingredients.
For indecisive diners, an excellent tasting menu is available for £85 per person. The menu is simple, presumably allowing the chef to be inventive with the ingredients on offer. Highlights currently include smoked celeriac and haggis, as well as Dover sole and venison tartare.
Breakfast is served in the cosy snug area adjacent to the restaurant and features simple options, such as fresh fruit and yoghurt with granola, as well as freshly baked croissants with jam and butter.
The kitchen is open for dinner on Wednesdays and for lunch and dinner Thursday to Sunday.
The Old Rectory
During our stay, we had a peek into The Old Rectory beside The Kirkstyle Inn, which is a six-bedroom accommodation option designed for group staycations. This stylish property is designed like a home from home, with a vast open-plan kitchen and dining space made for dinner parties.
The spaces are crafted by interior designer Emily Smoor from Fantoush, who’s behind the cosy spaces at The Kirkstyle Inn and Sportsman’s Rest. Rooms feature eclectic touches such as vibrant feature walls and patterned lampshades, each room with a distinct character. If you’re planning a group escape (think birthday parties, luxurious work retreats, or family reunions), this would be an ideal location for group dining, with a cosy living room to retire to afterwards.
Need to know
Rooms at The Kirkstyle Inn and Sportsman’s Rest are available from £200 per night, including breakfast.
To find out more, visit theksi.co.uk
