Tucked away in the idyllic Yorkshire Wolds, The Triton Inn is one of those places that reminds you why country pubs remain the beating heart of British hospitality. This 18th-century inn sits as part of the village estate of Sledmere, and after finally managing to secure a table (more on that shortly), I can absolutely confirm the Triton Inn Sledmere is worth the booking battle.
Last Updated: January 2026
About The Triton Inn
The Triton Inn Sledmere is owned by the Sykes family as part of the Sledmere Estate. This Grade II listed building underwent complete refurbishment in 2006, bringing up-to-date facilities whilst maintaining its charming Victorian setting and 18th-century character. The pub operates seasonal opening hours during winter months, so it’s worth checking before you visit – particularly during quieter periods.
The Triton Inn menu focuses on traditional English-style meals with generous portions and quality ingredients. Whilst there’s a set menu priced at £18.95 for mains (with starters or puddings at £7.50 each), the Triton Inn menu changes seasonally and offers different options on Sundays for their popular roast lunch service.
Book Ahead – Seriously
Here’s my first top tip: reserve your table a few days in advance. We’d tried to book before but it was full, which tells you everything you need to know about the Triton Inn’s reputation. This isn’t a place you can rock up to on a whim, especially at weekends or for Sunday lunch. The locals know what they’ve got here, and visitors from across Yorkshire make the journey specifically for the food and atmosphere.
When you do manage to secure a table, you’ll understand why it’s always busy. When we went, every table was full.
Location: The Yorkshire Wolds
The Triton Inn Sledmere enjoys a fantastic location in one of Yorkshire’s most beautiful areas. Sledmere itself is a proper estate village, dominated by the magnificent Sledmere House – the stately home of the Sykes family. The connection to Sir Tatton Sykes and the estate gives the entire village, including the inn, a special character that’s hard to find elsewhere.
The beautiful countryside surrounding Sledmere makes this an ideal location for exploring the Yorkshire Wolds. It’s a 20-minute drive from the market town of Driffield, about 30 minutes from the rugged Yorkshire coast and its popular seaside attractions like Bridlington and Filey, and roughly 40 minutes from the historic city of York. Whether you’re planning a longer ride through the Wolds or using it as a perfect base for exploring the region, the Triton Inn’s position is genuinely excellent.
There’s ample car park space, which is always appreciated when you’re visiting somewhere this popular.
The Warm Welcome
From the moment we walked in, the friendly staff made us feel genuinely welcome. This isn’t that forced corporate hospitality you sometimes encounter – it’s proper Yorkshire warmth. The team here clearly take pride in what they do, and the excellent service throughout our meal was faultless without being fussy.
The setting itself is everything you’d want from a traditional country pub. There was an open fire crackling away (essential for late autumn visits to the Wolds), the decor was traditional country pub style, and the whole atmosphere was cosy and welcoming. It’s that charming Victorian setting that makes you want to settle in for the afternoon with good food and fine ales.
The Food: Generous Doesn’t Cover It
Let’s talk about what we ate, because the portions at the Triton Inn deserve their own paragraph. Actually, several paragraphs.
We started with Sautéed King Prawns. When I say starters were large, I mean it – these weren’t token appetisers. The prawns were perfectly cooked, generous in number, and set the tone for what was to come.
For mains, I had the Slow Roasted Lamb Shank served in a Mint Gravy. This is traditional English-style meals done absolutely right – tender meat that fell off the bone, proper gravy, none of this nouvelle cuisine nonsense. My husband ordered the steak and ale pie, which arrived looking like it could feed a small family.
Both mains came with a choice of chips or potatoes, and were served with seasonal vegetables – cauliflower, peas, carrots and cabbage. The vegetables were cooked properly (thank goodness, no al dente carrots here), and there was plenty of everything.
Here’s the thing: there was so much food we couldn’t finish it all. And we’re not small eaters. The portions were really big – proper Yorkshire portions that represent actual value for money.
The Triton Inn Menu 2026
When planning your visit to the Triton Sledmere, it’s worth noting that the Triton Inn menu operates differently on Sundays compared to weekdays. Sunday lunch is their busiest service, with sittings at 12:00, 14:00, and 16:00. The menu focuses on quality over quantity, featuring traditional pub classics done brilliantly: slow-roasted meats, proper pies, fresh seafood from Bridlington, and generous Sunday roasts. Recent reviews praise their dressed crab, fish and chips with perfectly battered fresh fish, and those enormous portions I mentioned earlier.
Family-Friendly Without a Kids Menu
There’s no kids menu, but before you worry, the staff are more than happy to make smaller portions of anything on the main menu. My son had chips, peas and garlic bread, which he demolished happily. This flexible approach is far better than a standard children’s menu of the usual suspects, and it means kids can eat proper food rather than being relegated to nuggets and pizza. I mean, unless they’re picky eaters like mine. Then it’s still chips and garlic bread.
The staff handled our family dining needs brilliantly, making the whole experience relaxed and enjoyable rather than stressful.
The Setting and Atmosphere
The Triton Inn strikes that difficult balance between smart enough for a special occasion but comfortable enough for casual lunch times. Whether you’re celebrating something important or just fancying good food on a Sunday afternoon, the atmosphere works perfectly.
The traditional pub setting – complete with that open fire I mentioned – creates exactly the sort of environment you want when you’re dining in the Yorkshire countryside. It’s authentic without being stuffy, welcoming without being chaotic.
For larger groups or special occasions, there’s a private dining room available, which would be ideal for celebrations or family gatherings. The Star Rooms upstairs offer accommodation if you’re making a weekend of exploring the Wolds, turning the inn into a perfect base for your Yorkshire adventures.
Beyond the Triton Inn
Part of what makes the Triton Inn special is its connection to the Sledmere estate. The village itself is worth exploring – Sledmere House is magnificent, and the war memorial designed by Sir Mark Sykes is one of the finest in Yorkshire.
The surrounding area offers endless opportunities for walks through the Wolds. In late autumn, the landscape takes on a particularly beautiful quality, with the rolling hills creating that classic Yorkshire scenery. It’s the sort of place where you can work up an appetite with a morning walk, have a substantial lunch at the Triton, then spend the afternoon exploring before heading back for good wines and fine ales in the evening.
The information visit possibilities are extensive: David Hockney’s famous landscapes were painted in the Wolds, and you can explore the same scenery that inspired his work. The rugged Yorkshire coast is close enough for a longer ride out to the seaside. York’s historic attractions are an easy minute drive away.
Practical Details
Address: The Triton Inn, York Road, Sledmere, Driffield, East Yorkshire YO25 3XQ
Phone: 01377 236078 (booking by phone preferred)
Website: www.thetritoninn.co.uk
Booking: Essential, especially for Sunday lunch and weekends. The Triton Sledmere operates sittings at 12:00, 14:00, and 16:00 on Sundays.
Opening Hours: Seasonal variations apply – check before visiting during winter months
Dogs: Welcome in the bar area, but not in the main dining area
Accessibility: Restaurant and bar are wheelchair friendly; accommodation not suitable for disabled persons due to winding staircase
Children: Welcome until 8pm; no separate kids menu but smaller portions available from main menu
Parking: Ample free car park
What Makes It First Class
The Triton Inn Sledmere is a very traditional pub with good food, cooked well, served generously, in a setting that’s remained true to its 18th-century inn heritage. The excellent service comes from staff who clearly care about their customers, and the warm welcome is genuine rather than manufactured.
It’s not trying to be a gastro pub with tiny portions and ingredients you’ve never heard of. It’s doing traditional English-style meals brilliantly, which is actually much harder than adding foam and microgreens to everything.
The fact that it’s always fully booked tells you everything. When locals and visitors alike are planning weeks ahead to eat somewhere, that restaurant is doing something very right.
The Verdict
The Triton Inn Sledmere is exactly what you want from a Yorkshire country pub: generous portions from the Triton Inn menu, friendly staff, excellent service, and a setting that’s both historic and welcoming. Its fantastic location in the heart of the Yorkshire Wolds makes it an ideal stopping point for exploring the region, while the quality of the food and atmosphere make the Triton Inn worth visiting as a destination in itself.
Whether you’re looking for Sunday lunch after exploring Sledmere House, a special occasion dinner, or simply lunchtime fuel during a Wolds adventure, the Triton Sledmere delivers first-class hospitality in a charming Victorian setting.
Just remember: book in advance by calling 01377 236078. The warm welcome and generous portions from the Triton Inn menu have made this 18th-century inn one of the most popular destinations in the Yorkshire Wolds, and tables disappear fast. But once you’re sitting by that open fire with a plate of slow-roasted lamb shank in front of you, you’ll understand why everyone makes the effort.
The Triton Inn isn’t just part of the village estate of Sledmere – it’s become an essential part of any Yorkshire Wolds experience. And after one visit to the Triton Sledmere, it’ll become part of yours too.
Love the decor. So warm and welcoming.