The Snow Owl occupies what was once Plessy North Farm, a small agricultural holding originally built in 1600 and previously owned by the Ridley family, local aristocrats whose family seat is the nearby Blagdon Hall. Northumberlandia, a vast land art sculpture of a reclining woman, is a short walk away, with the town of Cramlington easily reachable by car. The pub’s decor and menu match these surroundings. There’s plenty of leather armchairs, regional cask ales, wooden beams and, in colder months, an open fire.
Food-wise pub classics are offered alongside recent additions to the genre. Starters include duck and orange parfait, soup of the day and baked scallops with king prawns. A rotating selection of pies, gammon, egg and chips, and fish and chips represent traditional British pub mains, while the likes of chicken and vegetable Panang curry and king prawn linguine offer something from further afield. Dessert choices stay rooted in the former - raspberry Eton mess, apple and sticky toffee pudding are highlights.
Brunch is also served, ranging from a full cooked breakfast (also available vegetarian) to pulled beef brisket hash to eggs, Florentine, royal or benedict. The fixed price lunch menu, which includes steak frites, pizzas and a nourish bowl, is £15.50 for two courses, £19.50 if you add a third. The children’s menu is also great value.
Roasts are served on Sundays. Turkey as a main and pigs-in-blankets as a side are offered year round. All three meats (turkey, beef and pork belly) are combined in the Sunday Trio. Like all roasts, this comes with unlimited gravy. Stone-baked pizzas and a selection of grilled burgers are also on offer.
The Snowy Owl is one of 180 Vintage Inns. All pubs in the network are dog-friendly and can be hired for special occasions.