Sunday Roast Diaries: The Abbey Inn, Byland

Every month, leading up to our wedding, we’ve gone on a little date night. This has made the countdown super special. Our latest date night landed on a Sunday, so of course, we decided to celebrate big with a Sunday Lunch. I made reservations at The Abbey Inn at Byland as I’d been recommended it many times. The Abbey Inn is run by Chef Tommy Banks, and as a massive fan of The General Tarleton, I knew we were going to be in for a treat.

Byland is located just on the other side of Helmsley for us, but it’s also around 35 minutes to York City Centre. We decided to make a day of it and bring our little Walter along and explore Byland Abbey, which is just across the road. Byland Abbey is an English Heritage site, but it’s also completely free to visit and well worth doing so.

After our little explore of the area, we were ready for some top food at The Abbey Inn. I’d seen that the restaurant was awarded in the Gastro Pub Awards 2025 and Best Sunday Roast in the UK by The Good Food Guide in 2024 – so I knew we were in for a treat.

Once we were sat down and ready to order drinks. Stefan decided to order one of their homemade soft drinks. He got an Oldstead Strawberry and Basil ‘Cola’. I had a little taste, and it was very botanical and unique – Stefan loved it, though it wouldn’t be my first choice. Whereas I went for a glass of Rosé; it was the weekend after all!

We started the meal off with the Seed & Mead Sourdough bread served with a wild garlic butter and a salted butter. It was unreal. The garlic butter was unreal too. I wish we’d got more bread, but we didn’t want to spoil the main event!

It was then on to the Sunday Roast. I went for the Salt-Aged Rump of Beef, and Stefan got the Rolled Saddleback Pork Belly. The roasts come with the option to have your Yorkshire pudding stuffed for an additional £5, which, of course, we couldn’t resist. Mine was filled with Braised Beef Short Rib, and Stefan got Braised Pork Shoulder. Both dishes were served with the crispiest roast potatoes, seasonal veg and a big pot of gravy. We also added a side of Baron Bigod Broccoli and Cauliflower Cheese.

I’ve got to say I have zero notes on this meal; everything was perfection. It’s got to be one of the best Sunday Roasts I’ve had in a very long time. Just writing about it now is making me wonder when I can go back for another taster. The meat-filled Yorkshire pudding was so rich and tender, absolutely unbelievable. In addition to my Salt-Aged Rump of Beef, which was some of the best beef, it was just unbelievable. The roasties were also some of the best I’ve had in a very long time, and the side of Broccoli and Cauliflower Cheese was just 10/10 too.

Could this be the best Sunday Roast in Yorkshire? Possibly.. It’s certainly one of the best I’ve had in a very long time. I’ll definitely be booking to go back as soon as I can, as it’s well worth the drive out! I’m still yet to try The Black Swan at Olstead, which is another restaurant by Tommy Banks, so stay tuned as that’s next on my list!

XOXO