Reviews in County Durham

Such a gorgeous Christmasy environment. Just beautiful. The staff were really lovely and attentive, the food was just gorgeous and despite being really busy, the service was really quick. Can not recommend enough

Fab service, fab food as usual!

Overall I would say our afternoon tea platter was a pleasant experience despite some negatives. The food was of a good quality and the waiting staff member was attentive but that staff member didn't make us feel particularly welcome. She gave us some odd looks. No idea why!! The decor and furnishings in the restaurant look tired/stained and dated. Some of the platter was lovely e.g scones but some if it was obviously shop bought. The spa and spa staff were excellent. The hotel receptionist staff should not be eating and have a mouthful of food when greeting guests ( which is what happened to us) . I think there's work to be done on staff customer service training e.g. thinking about the little things as it makes all the difference. It's a beautiful looking hotel that could achieve better.

Exceptional meal once again Never been disappointed on any visits The staff were friendly and helpful and very pleasant. The food is delicious and well presented Well recommended.

First time visiting and it certainly will not be the last. The food was outstanding and as good as any tapas we have had in Spain. The service was excellent and the atmosphere was great. Highly recommend.

Visited Gussto on 6 Dec 2025 for my partners birthday. Warm welcome, seated quickly and not long to wait until drinks order taken. We asked for a little longer to order food as the menu is very extensive! Again, not a huge wait until food arrived hot and freshly prepared. One dish we ordered was, however, very dry and flavourless, which we discovered after one bite, so we did not eat this particular tapas. Mentioned this to waitress at the end of our meal, and we were not charged for this dish. She was very efficient despite being very busy. The rest of our food was amazing. An overall great experience. Had never been to Gussto before despite living in Durham for many years. It is a very quirky, almost cave-like restaurant with low key music in the background. Will most certainly be back....and will take friends and family with us next time.

Bit of a mixed bag… Booking was easy, inside is really nice. Servers were friendly. We ordered sunday lunch mains were were nice. Good choice of Veg Desserts… disaster No choc fudge cake so I was offered something not even on the menu. No vanilla ice cream for any of the sundaes (pretty much the only choice on the menu) so offered chocolate icecream which we went for but it was clearly way over frozen and crystallised ice throughout. The whole time we were in there was a constant stream around of them listing off everything they didnt have to each table who tried to order from drinks to mains to desserts they didnt have a lot! Overall the mains fine, but we wont be back

we visited yesterday for Sunday lunch we waited 50 mins for our soup meaning our main was also late in arriving my 2 yr okd granddaughter by this point was hungry and restless. when we arrived at 12 30 pm it wasn’t particularly busy. however the main course was excellent

Lovely setting for a superb Sunday Lunch. The restaurant is a nice room in the castle with countryside views. Staff took our drinks and food order promptly and were friendly and pleasant. The food was great with plenty of veg and meat. Yorkshire Pudding too of course. After the meal we relocated to the adjacent lounge with our drinks for a relaxing and cosy end to the afternoon nattering by the fire.

We wanted to spend some pre Christmas quality bestie time together and boy did we!! Our treatments were amazing. The spa was so inviting and the beautiful blue sky enable us to enjoy the outdoor hot tub. The food was beautiful too, we really couldn’t have wished for a better time. Thank you

Love the Farmers arms - food, service from lovely staff and ambience second to none. Clearly lots of thought has gone into the menu's and there is an eye for detail throughout - not ostentatious but homely and fab quality Happy to travel there from Sunderland for a lovely time.

Have been to the Farmers Arms twice in the past week. Three courses both times and I can honestly say the food is excellent and value for money. The staff are polite and greet you with a smile. A nice quiet country pub/restaurant, we worth a visit.

Sunday dinner pork with apple gravy was so nice and big portion will definitely be back

Lovely warm atmosphere. Great choice of food. Everything was delicious, couldn't fault anything. We'll be back soon

We booked a table to have Sunday lunch after visiting the market, and realised it could be busy. Table wasn't ready so we bought drinks in the bar and waited comfortably in the lounge area next to the restaurant. Didn't have long to wait before being shown to our table (by the window with great views!), provided with menus and our order was taken promptly. We did wait 40mins before the meal arrived but presumed it was because it was extra busy due to the market. The meal was worth waiting for!! Generous portions, huge Yorkshire pudding, and a wide variety of vegetables. Recommended.

Really enjoyed our food ambit couple of points to note. We booked on line for 4pm - which was accepted on the website - but the restaurant actually closes at 4pm on Sundays! Luckily I rang and asked if we could go in early! The meat was overcooked. Fine for me but my OH wasn’t impressed. There were lots of veggies which I loved and it was piping hot. Very good! The waiting staff were excellent, friendly and polite. We would go again but would book an earlier time.