Housed in one of the city’s most-handsome buildings, which dates back to 1901, the interior of The Peacock was restored in 2017 after much investment in that corner of the city by the MAC Trust. The site's history as a pub can be traced back to 1770 when the old The Peacock coaching inn stood on High Street West site before being named The Londonderry in 1834 after the mega-rich Londonderry family. Now, it offers everything from live music and functions to Sunday dinners. placeholder image
Housed in one of the city’s most-handsome buildings, which dates back to 1901, the interior of The Peacock was restored in 2017 after much investment in that corner of the city by the MAC Trust. The site's history as a pub can be traced back to 1770 when the old The Peacock coaching inn stood on High Street West site before being named The Londonderry in 1834 after the mega-rich Londonderry family. Now, it offers everything from live music and functions to Sunday dinners. | Sunderland Echo

17 cosy and historic pubs with roaring fires and more to visit in Sunderland this winter

By Katy Wheeler

Lifestyle Editor

Published 27th Nov 2025, 11:13 GMT

Nothing beats a proper pint and a roaring fire in the winter months.

If you’re looking for somewhere to warm your cockles, here’s some of Sunderland’s cosiest and most-historic boozers, in no particular order.

This hidden gem micro bar is one definitely worth checking out. MOD opened in the former Fagan's in Mary Street and is a sister bar to the neighbouring Gunners Club. While the Gunners honours WWI and WWII in its decor, MOD is decorated in plaques, regimental badges, photographs and other paraphernalia from those who served in more recent conflicts including The Troubles in Northern Ireland, Bosnia and The Falklands. Designed to resemble a bunker, it specialises in craft beer. Along with the Bridge Hotel Vaults, it recently made its Good Beer Guide debut.

5. MOD, Mary Street

This hidden gem micro bar is one definitely worth checking out. MOD opened in the former Fagan's in Mary Street and is a sister bar to the neighbouring Gunners Club. While the Gunners honours WWI and WWII in its decor, MOD is decorated in plaques, regimental badges, photographs and other paraphernalia from those who served in more recent conflicts including The Troubles in Northern Ireland, Bosnia and The Falklands. Designed to resemble a bunker, it specialises in craft beer. Along with the Bridge Hotel Vaults, it recently made its Good Beer Guide debut. | Sunderland Echo

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One of Sunderland's finest old pubs is The Dun Cow in High Street West - and in 2023 it was even named as one of the best bars in Europe thanks to its impressive back bar. There has been a pub on the site since at least 1834. However, the current building was opened in 1901. It was built at the behest of Robert Deuchar Ltd, a huge Edinburgh-based brewery and pub chain of the time who also owned The Black Bull (now Vesta Tilley's), Norfolk Hotel and the Crown & Thistle further down High Street West (demolished 1966).

6. The Dun Cow, High Street West

One of Sunderland's finest old pubs is The Dun Cow in High Street West - and in 2023 it was even named as one of the best bars in Europe thanks to its impressive back bar. There has been a pub on the site since at least 1834. However, the current building was opened in 1901. It was built at the behest of Robert Deuchar Ltd, a huge Edinburgh-based brewery and pub chain of the time who also owned The Black Bull (now Vesta Tilley's), Norfolk Hotel and the Crown & Thistle further down High Street West (demolished 1966). | Sunderland Echo

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With its open fire and olde worlde feel, The Saltgrass is a perfect winter pub for a proper pint. It was also taken over by the same team as Kings Arms and Ship Isis offering a warm welcome, pub quizzes and more. It dates back to 1842.

7. The Saltgrass, Deptford

With its open fire and olde worlde feel, The Saltgrass is a perfect winter pub for a proper pint. It was also taken over by the same team as Kings Arms and Ship Isis offering a warm welcome, pub quizzes and more. It dates back to 1842. | Sunderland Echo

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A regular CAMRA winner, The Ship Isis in Silksworth Row is a cracking example of a proper pub filled with local history. It's previously won both branch Pub of the Year and Sunderland Cider Pub of the Year and is one of Sunderland’s most historic pubs, renowned for its selection of real ales - just watch out for the ghost of the infamous Mary Ann Cotton.

8. The Ship Isis, Silksworth Row

A regular CAMRA winner, The Ship Isis in Silksworth Row is a cracking example of a proper pub filled with local history. It's previously won both branch Pub of the Year and Sunderland Cider Pub of the Year and is one of Sunderland’s most historic pubs, renowned for its selection of real ales - just watch out for the ghost of the infamous Mary Ann Cotton. | Sunderland Echo

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