Reviews in County Durham

I stayed for a couple of nights recently at this hotel, with three (mature) women friends. We have been going away for the weekend in January for the last fifteen years or so, it's an important highlight of the year for all of us. Unfortunately for us our experience in your restaurant was disappointing. On the Friday afternoon, the afternoon teas were fine, although the sandwiches had come straight from the fridge. The service was excellent, warm and welcoming. Friday dinner; we booked for 8, ordered by 8.10 and eventually ate at 9.10 after harassing various staff members for attention. In fact I ate even later since I had ordered only a starter, to be served at the same time as my friends' mains. They arrived, my starter didn't. When it did come, the goat cheese pannacotta was bland and rather over gelatined. Sticky toffee pudding did restore my spirits. Saturday breakfast: excellent in range, quality and service. As it was on Sunday. Friday dinner: having complained the night before, we were fast tracked, I suspect. Two of my friends had the steak from the bar menu and really enjoyed it. I didn't care for my starter (cured and torched mackerel) but that was my personal opinion and I did get a lovely big bowl of chips to compensate. Good puds and cheese. Overall - it felt expensive for what we got, the room could do with different lighting and layout as it currently feels rather cold, plain, with overhead strong lighting. More candles could work wonders. The junior waiting staff were delightful and keen to help but appeared to be overwhelmed, untrained and out of their depth. Ideally they would not address their guests as "guys", they would speak more slowly and clearly, providing accurate information. And it's probably best if they didn't comment on how expensive items on the menu were. The senior staff were equally delightful, and capable, helpful, friendly, up to speed. So we won't be returning or recommending, despite the super comfortable and cosy beds.

We had a late lunch there this week. We had 3 courses and the food and service were excellent.

Went for Sunday lunch. Food was lovely. Good choice of meat and plenty of vegetables to chose from. Staff were friendly. Would visit again

Disappointing. Manager came to check on us around 15 mins in at which point everything was fine, unfortunately it went downhill from there. Food was ok - baby leeks were gritty as though they weren’t cleaned properly. I was given a choice of pasta when ordering but when it came out it was tagliatelle not penne, waiter then told me there was no choice. Steaks were good. Food came out around 45 mins after ordering and then it felt like we were being rushed out once the food was finished. Biggest issue was that the card machine in the restaurant wasn’t working. We were given the option to pay at reception which we said we’d be happy to do. Waiter said he’d take us down, but we weren’t finished our drinks and so we said we’d pay on the way out, we were then told “well you can come back up to finish your drinks”. Totally missed the point and given that the issue was with their card machine, somehow managed to make us feel like we were the inconvenience.

Very mixed review - Had booked a table on arrival were told to sit anywhere. No one came to give menu or take drinks orders. We went to the bar, staff were nice and friendly on the bar, asked for menu and they came over to take order. We ordered a couple of steaks which were fantastic. Pizza lovely. However one of us ordered tempura vegetables which were cold and very disappointing. No one came back to check meals so couldn’t send back. We ordered wine with dinner the bottle came with no glasses. We waited over an hour to order deserts only to be told that the kitchen was closed! We complained and the waitress said she would go and make the deserts. As a pre booked table there was absolutely no service provided. The bar staff did try there best and were helpful when we went to the bar, but overall the service was terrible.

Went for birthday meal this week and the food was amazing as always. Friendly staff. One of my favourite places to go for food.

First visit to the Farmers Arms and took advantage of the 3 courses for £10. Cannot fault the food it was beautiful (other than pitta on the lamb kofta, it was rock hard).. staff very attentive. Only complaint is the time it took to get food. Took nearly 40mins to take our order and it took an age to come.. our table was booked for 6.30pm and we didn’t get dessert until nearly 9pm! Staff apologised when we were paying clearly knowing this was an issue ….

Excellent quality of food, service and value for money as part of overnight stay. Hotel was a touch cold but three course meal helped improve that. Hotel and Restaurant definitely worth a visit.

Fantastic food, great service, very fair price, thanks, .

Absolutely gorgeous good and friendly welcoming service. We had two types of garlic bread to start - really tasty rosemary garlic bread and a mozzarella and tomato one too. Various mains but mine was the mushroom ravioli - generous portion and lovely. We shared some homemade chips which were also delicious! Definitely recommend. Worked out with drinks between £25-£30 each.

On recommendations from a couple of friends we decided to go for the carvery on a Sunday lunchtime. Staff were very friendly and attentive, food on offer looked amazing but the majority of the food was luke warm, at best. Still prepared to give it another chance though.

Lovely Sunday lunch, couldn't fault it. Service very good, staff were very pleasant and helpful. Two issues I need to raise. 1. outer doors to the restaurant did not close properly and we were freezing. Sat with my coat on for the latter half. 2. Husband was appalled with the toilets, large freeze of two women above the urinals. Very inappropriate particularly if it were a child going to the toilet. This would not be tolerated in a women's cubicle.

After having spent a night at the Derwent on the sunday stay over deal the previous week we returned the following sunday with the family as the sunday carvery was amazing !It was even better the 2nd visit (beef was fabulous) .We had reserved our table which was ready on our arrival even though we were a little early .Service and atmosphere was great so the Derwent is now our new go to for sunday lunch and will definately be returning again also for the sunday stay over deal .Highly recommend it .

Great early deal. Bruschetta was stunning. Sticky Toffee was amazing. Chips are too thick and under cooked. Nice coleslaw. Burger was ok. Great value for money overall.

This is my son's favourite restaraunt, he loves the cabanara. I'm quite partial too and the pizza is amazing, the kids can add their own toppings if you want to let them. Always a nice, cozy atmosphere and special offers lunch time and early evening. Usually a quick and efficient service, perfect for any day of the week

No complaints about the food but the service was terrible. Waited for an hour before our order was taken, wrong orders brought, meals missing, etc)Seems to be young , new staff who haven’t been trained (with the exception of one very polite young man who was picking up the mistakes of others). Have dined here many times before without these problems so hopefully they were just having a bad night!

Our meal was part of the spa package. The menu was limited, but the main course was delicious. My dessert however was a little bit tough,( panacotta) too much gelatine made it very stiff to get a spoon through. Staff and service were fabulous, shame it was very quiet as lovely venue.