Reviews in County Durham

Went for Sunday Lunch. Got seated on a table of 4 when there were 5 of us pre-booked. No cutlery brought over for the 5th person and ended up getting our own off an empty table next to us. Drinks order came and the server didn’t know which drink was Diet Coke or Coca Cola so we had to taste them to find out. Sunday lunch came out and it was drowning in gravy. We’d have preferred the option to put on our own. 1 of the lunches had a long black hair in it. We mentioned it, the plate taken away and a fresh lunch came out a few minutes later. Went to pay at the bar after being finished for 15 minutes and no one came to see if we wanted desserts or if we wanted the bill. Waited about 10 minutes to pay and when we got the bill it had a Malibu and 2 large Coke’s added. When we told the barman those weren’t ours he knew but said he’d put them on a table and thought it was our table. All in all a very poor experience. The food was okay but the service was shocking. Such a shame as we had heard great reviews about the place.

Lovely decor, very friendly helpful staff! I wanted the Caprese to start but unfortunately they had no mozzarella so I had to go for the sourdough bread and olives! Sourdough wasn’t toasted and did seem not fresh! I then had the carbonara and this was delicious! I will be back for sure!

Lovely relaxed atmosphere in the hotel . All that staff were friendly and chatty - very attentive and saw that we had everything we needed . Lovely room overlooking the garden. Would love to return to the hotel and would certainly eat in the restaurant or bar .

I had a £70 spa pamper day to include spa facilities, lunch or afternoon tea, and a 55-minute massage or facial treatment. The spa staff were lovely and helpful. The pool area was so hot and steamy that I didn't need sauna or steam room and as the jacuzzi was also warm it was quite oppresive and uncomfortable. Lovely big windows could have provided some fresh air but they can't be opened as they have been sealed for security reasons. It was nice to escape to the seating area for a coffee and some air. The Stables bar is closed so lunch was in the hotel. Despite confirming a table for one the waiter expected me to be accompanied and said he didn't see the emails. Communication could be improved. I chose the chicken parfait for starter and the meat and cheese platter for my main course. The parfait and chutney were lovely but what a shame the dish didn't come with fresh toast rather than rock hard shop-bought oval-shaped toast. The salad would have been better described as wilted greens. Personally I would have been ashamed to serve the main course to family or friends let alone to paying guests. I didn't eat the blue cheese (my choice) but would have eaten the other two. The, what I think was, red Leicester was rubbery and so cold from the fridge that it was tasteless. I love Brie but the Brie that was served was also very cold, very firm, and tasteless. Terrible waste of good cheese. It was served with a selection of crackers with butter packs and a few slices each of Parma ham and some sort of sausage round along with 2 small sticks of celery, There was a small dish of green and black olives that were poor quality and bitter. There was a small dish of oil and balsamic for dipping but no bread for dipping. I asked for some which was reluctantly provided but it was the same shop-bought rock hard toast that has come with the parfait so still nothing to dip in the oil and balsamic. I did try to use it with a cracker but the oil was very heavy and the balsamic wouldn't even rise so that simply tasted of oil which was not very palatable. I left more than half of the platter. To be fair the waiter offered more cheese but what's the point of getting more of the same that I didn't want to eat? I was the only customer in the restaurant so no ambience but I did enjoy the choice of music. After a coffee back in the spa I had a body massage with Catherine and that was the best part of the day. It was very good. Overall this was a very mixed day in terms of enjoyment. I won't be rushing back.

Nice surroundings and good service but my sea bass was small and very over cooked. My colleagues felt their food was ok but they had had better.

Unfortunately we were exceptionally dissatisfied, one room was nice however the other room was poor. It had clearly been painted but unfortunately to a low standard and the room smelt of paint. Out of three box sash windows one function correctly, one acted as a guillotine and other didn’t lock!! The door into the room didn’t close itself which it should as it’s a fire door with a door closer. Very disappointed. As for the food, well out of the the pies ordered none of the pastry was edible as it was so hard, I will say the filling was lovely though. The custard slice was not edible either and was sent back, yet we were charged full price!! I will say every member of staff we encountered either at reception or in the restaurant were lovely.

Unfortunately we were exceptionally dissatisfied, one room was nice however the other room was poor. It had clearly been painted but unfortunately to a low standard and the room smelt of paint. Out of three box sash windows one function correctly, one acted as a guillotine and other didn’t lock!! The door into the room didn’t close itself which it should as it’s a fire door with a door closer. Very disappointed. As for the food, well out of the the pies ordered none of the pastry was edible as it was so hard, I will say the filling was lovely though. The custard slice was not edible either and was sent back, yet we were charged full price!! I will say every member of staff we encountered either at reception or in the restaurant were lovely.

Lovely restaurant, great food, waiting staff are fabulous.

Antler Bar and Restaurant - booked weekend stay at Derwent Manor Hotel for son 's wedding. On the first night we booked a table for 8 in the Antler Bar at 7 pm. Unfortunately despite many apologies from staff, our meals did not arrive until 8:40 pm! Other wedding party guests who booked for 7:30 pm and after were served before us. Unfortunately the steak meals were atrocious £26 for medioccre meals which were dry and looked like they had been thrown together hastily and we had to remind the staff about missing sauces to accompany the meal. Very disappointing experience at the beginning of a wedding weekend. Could do much better Antler Staff!

Probably the worst afternoon tea I’ve had. Stale sandwiches, awful quiche and poor selection of cakes. The Service was appalling. Stood waiting for over ten minutes before anyone came to show us to a table and then they disappeared. Really disappointed

Booked on 12th May having checked menu on website. Unfortunately the menu had changed by 31st May. Many of the meals that prompted me to book were no longer there. I'm sure there was duck and other country meat/ wild options. Staff were friendly. Meal was decent enough. Although menu had changed to items we would not normally go for.

Would definitely recommend the food was amazing

The waiting staff were lovely and looked after us well. The food was very tasty. My only gripe, amd I think it is quite a serious one, is that we were sat facing the kitchen and I saw numerous kitchen staff eating while preparing food. For the record, they were NOT tasting the food as they prepared it, they were just helping themselves to various things. I don't know the law, but basic hygiene suggests that putting their hands to their mouths whilst preparing our food is not correct. Ssdly, it was most off-putting to see before we ate.

Excellent restaurant, lovely staff and had some of the best pizza's we've had in a long time, definitely recommend

Food is always bang on and the staff are so friendly. Always a lovely place to eat and dead cosy. Always try their best to get food on your table asap even when they are rammed.

This was the first time we have been to this pub read review and online menu. When we wen menu was very limited when food arrived there was very little on the plate very disappointed as still hungry when we left husband made himself something to eat when home will not be going back for food.

We booked a table as I was having lunch with someone in a wheelchair , to make sure we had an suitable table We were seated near the window , but next to the smoothie maker , but there was other tables free but was offered a choice . When we ordered , we actually had to go and ask for someone to come to the table as the waitress was rushed serving others as there seemed to be only her on , although the bartender came to help in the end . This could have been much more smoother especially as it was late afternoon and the pub wasn’t busy . Food came and it was impeccable . The decor is lush and I think we would be back but hope the staff have more help and maybe a bit more attentive .

Amazing food, good choice, lovely quirky place, staff friendly. Good atmosphere.