From prices to parking and rooms with a view - what to expect from a visit to new Seaburn Inn

With international travel limited this year, more people than ever will be staycationing in Britain or simply appreciating what’s on their doorstep. Perfect timing, therefore, for the seafront to be undergoing a renaissance.

Where once we were limited to a sprinkling of fish and chip shops, cafes and a handful of restaurants, Roker and Seaburn has undergone huge changes in recent years.

And while the old favourites such as Minchella’s and Sue’s Cafe are still there, they’ve been joined by a wave of new businesses to help provide a great breadth of choice for Wearsiders – as well as helping to attract visitors from outside the city.

Stack in particular has already proved a huge success, with data showing that in its first 10 weeks of opening it attracted 100,000 people (and that was with reduced numbers due to social distancing) while also attracting people from further afield to our city by the sea,

Now, it has a new neighbour: the £6million Seaburn Inn which aims to further stamp the city on the tourist map, while also keeping locals well fed and watered.

Here’s what to expect:

Food & drink

Seaburn Inn is primarily a pub and restaurant with rooms, rather than a hotel, and it’s very much aimed at locals, not just inn guests. Food is served from 7.30am to 9pm seven days a week.

The menu features a host of pub grub classics, such as fish and chips, steak and ale pie and scampi, as well a signature dishes including pork belly and katsu chicken curry. There’s also a good selection of grills and pizza.

I chose the Mediterranean roast king prawns to start, four fat prawns plump with flavour served with rocket, tomatoes, lemon and olive oil and a light chilli dressing.

For mains I had the 8oz flat iron steak, which is served medium rare and is a good-sized portion served with salad and satisfyingly chunky chips.

I was particularly impressed with my eggs Benedict in the morning, which came with proper thick cut ham and a subtle Hollandaise.

The bar is well stocked with what you’d expect from a pub, with all the regular draught options. The wine menu, however, is broader than most pubs, and there’s some impressive cocktail options such as negroni, espresso martini and smoky mezcal margarita.

Do I need to book?

The pub and restaurant is currently offering a walk-in service, so no need to book.

Prices

A double room starts from £89inc breakfast, based on two people sharing. Food-wise, breakfast options, served until 11am, include a full English for £10.95, sandwiches are £7.95, starters are priced from £4.95 for soup, mains from £13.95 for a chicken burger, desserts come in at around the £6.95 mark for a sticky toffee pudding.

Cocktails start from £7,95 and a small glass of white wine starts from £3.95.

The decor

Often new builds go down the minimalist route for decor, but Seaburn Inn is full of character, evoking an atmosphere of a traditional inn. The bar and restaurant is a real curiosity shop of decor, with tasselled chintz lampshades and feature walls, and a whole host of seafaring paraphernalia, from an old wooden row boat suspended from the ceiling to lobster pots, ships’ knots, oars and more.

The decor also doffs its cap to Seaburn with sepia images of Sunderland’s beaches and signs paying tribute to the resort.

The rooms

There’s 40 rooms in total, spread over three floors. 24 are sea view rooms, 18 of which have balconies, and six with Juliet balconies. Two also have wrap around balconies for prime views of the coast line.

A further 16 rooms are at the rear of the site, and all 40 rooms are a mix of double or family, some of which are adjoining. The decor is traditional, with checked carpets and chairs, with a modern twist in the photographic artworks on the walls. Sea kelp toiletries are a nice nod to the location.

Note, there’s no phones in the room as there’s no room service.

Is it family friendly?

Yes. Seaburn Inn has its own play area which is overlooked by the outdoor seating area so parents can enjoy a drink while the kids play. Pets are also welcome. There’s also good accessibility for buggies and wheelchairs. For those with mobility issues there’s a lift.

There’s also a children’s menu, aimed at under 12s, with dishes such as fish bites, scampi and pizza. All dishes are priced £6.95 and are served with a fruit cordial drink.

Parking and how to get there

Built on the former Pullman Lodge site, owners of The Seaburn Inn, The Inn Collection Group, had the luxury of plenty of space to build on. As such, the new addition to the seafront has a free car park for guests with 66 car parking spaces.

If you’re arriving by Metro, it’s around a 20 minute walk from Seaburn Metro Station.

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