Reviews in County Durham

Great food served by friendly and very helpful staff, would recommend this restaurant .

There was 17 in our party.Everyone enjoyed their meals, and all said the food was very nice and good portions.

Me and my little fur baby had a lovely overnight stay here. We had a table booked in the bistro (bar) and though the menu choice was very limited, I had a really gorgeous piece of fish - cooked to perfection in a lovely light batter. Friendly bar staff and beautiful surroundings.

Staff were great and did best they could with what they had to work with, Whole place, spa included needs some TLC.

The steak my husband had was very dry. The service was not good, the staff seemed a bit disorganised.

Kim Salisbury

Superb meal, plentiful carvery topped up so food is always fresh, one of the best if not the best Sunday lunch we have had. staff excellent, helpful and friendly thanks Laura We will return

We really enjoyed our one night stay - me, my wife and 11 year old twins. Staff were very friendly and could not have been more helpful eg arranging a special dessert for my daughter because the Eton mess she requested had all gone by 9pm The food was fantastic and excellent value for money - we also enjoyed our early morning swim in the leisure suite Overall highly recommended and we will definitely be back - many thanks

Food was excellent. There were 5 of us at the table. We all had potato skins which were really nice. Only problem was not enough garlic mayo which again was excellent. The mains were all different. Kids mac and cheese and nuggets were really nice. Chicken kebab with piri piri sauce. Again amazing and same with the chicken peppercorn. Then the weekend roast. My partner only got parsnips and carrots as veg. No cauli cheese or green veg. We asked for no green beans but didn't get anything else. The waitress said she would look into it but never returned. The desserts were sticky toffee and custard which is the best I've ever had. Apple custard was amazing and 2 kids cakes which were huge for kids. All in all absolutely amazing. Atmosphere was like a friendly village pub vibe which was good to see, vut ine individual did spoil it shouting swear words and then he noticed customers and said whoops

Someone bought us a voucher through buyagift and this is where we chose to go. The hotel and spa needs updating (which I think they’re in the process of), a lot of paint flaking off etc. The food was nice but there wasn’t a lot of choice for lunch, just sandwiches or panini’s, the atmosphere was a bit dull too. There was only us and one other table, could have done with some background music. The treatments were good and the staff were lovely, the hotel just needs updating a bit

The food was absolutely incredible, it was delicious and well presented. The atmosphere was just me and my mum. The dinning room was very nicely set out.

Disappointing food. Advertised as 'delicious two course lunch' so being in a health spa I expected the menu to have healthy starters and main courses. Instead we were handed a menu with a choice of sandwiches and crisps or toasties, paninis with fries or pizza as the first course then we were offered chocolate cake or fruit scone with jam n cream. Not exactly fitting with our expectations. My friend was also lactose free and there was nothing she could have as a second course and was offered another sandwich instead! We won't be going back as it was definitely not value for money. Spa area very dated. Pool cold and there were young children in the pool and sauna n steam room. Not something I expect on an adult relaxing spa day!

We stayed at this hotel for the first time. The food was fantastic as well as the staff. There was plenty of food in both Restaurants and i would recommend this hotel for food and the stay. Well done

amazing food Great service brillant staff

Excellent meal really great value for money actually better than expected, staff are friendly, overall fab place would highly recommended we will definitely be back

Love the food here .very big portions and was very nicely precented.nice restaurant and food prices are decent .would definatley eat here again.

Our first time at the Farmers Arms, overall good. We were seated straight away and drink order taken, the barman was kind enough to make me a mocktail, which wasn't on the menu, to accommodate my pregnancy. Unfortunately we had to go and ask for our order to be taken as no one came, we ordered from the £10 menu. We ordered the fish cakes, chicken kebab and steak. I had to clean our table as it was dirty, unfortunate but not the end of the world. All food arrived hot and the taste was satisfactory. Our waitress was just lovely, sorry I didn't get her name. She was polite, friendly, engaging and so so helpful she gave our desert to take away. A credit to this business! We would probably return but not eat from the £10 menu. I was very surprised (working in a 5 star hotel) that they didn't add service charges!!

Visited for our anniversary and had food at prego. Brilliant food and large portions, will always come back for special events and anniversaries. I’ve had the atmosphere be better before, also service was a little slow.

Quite disappointed. Arrived at 4:55pm for a reservation of 5pm to be told by waitress, "Kitchen does not open until 5pm" granted first there but not given any choice of where we wanted to sit. Asked if we wanted drinks but decided to wait until read drinks menu, decided on x2 drinks for my good lady & I. Waitress came back about 10 mins later for drinks order, which we gave. Ordered Halloumi fries to start which they she said was off the menu today, then wanted Farmhouse Parmo, which was also not on the menu today. So we decided to order the x2 Steaks, sides and bottle of wine. Starter was very slow to come out as was the main. Food quality was good, just the Service and availability let the Italian Farmhouse down. Would I return debatable.