Best find on holiday ever!!…read more Set in a beautiful little village with a huge village green with loads of parking round and about (although im sure that on a mid summer sunny day parking may be somewhat difficult!). The pub has a bar area and a restaurant area - we only ever went into the bar as you could eat int here and it was really cosy (dogs are also allowed!). The staff were incredibly friendly and chatty (lets face it, Yorkshire, particularly North Yorkshire folk are possibly the most friendly on the planet - i challenge you to disprove this!). The food was INCREDIBLE. Nothing fancy pants, just really good food, VERY big portions (trust me on this, you dont need three courses - choose your weapon of starter or dessert to go alongside your main - we made the mistake one night and 1) couldnt eat it all and 2)pretty much rolled home). We spent an evening in the pub, had a meal and then sat playing card games - we felt incredibly welcome. So welcome that we ended up visiting three times in a week long holiday. You cant really get a better recommendation than that can you??

Still a fantastic place to chill out in the Durham countryside. Food is exceptional from breakfast,…read morelunch through dinner. Hotel rooms are quaint but top floor rooms would benefit from power showers to increase water pressure as it takes a while to get wet. Loved the cask Double Maxim on taps, much better than I remember from Vaux! Prices are very reasonable for large portions.

We are repeat customers to the Old Mill, the food is always great, and lots of it…read more You have to grab a table, and choose what you would like to eat from the blackboard in the main dining room. Once you have chosen what you would like to eat, go to the bar with your table number and order. We have been on a number of occasions, and service is always great (have been when every table has been taken, and was told 40 min for food, but received it well within 30 min) Have never had a bad meal from here, or a bad word to say about the place

Can't believe this place hasn't been reviewed! really impresses, large pub, cosy eating areas and…read moresmart conservatory. Large outdoor enclosed kids area, plenty of outdoor seating. Really nice menu, plenty of offers/specials. Excellent value carvery (cheaper than cooking sunday dinner!) brilliant portions. staff friendly. desserts slightly pricey. would definately recommend.

The fish and chips my wife and I had at this establishment were the WORST meal I have ever had…read moreanywhere in the world. I would never recommend it to anyone, in fact I would advise people to look elsewhere. I could not even rate it. Absolutely dreadful.

Enjoyed the classic English pub before dinner, with draught beers and cocktails. Fun meeting…read morelocals, young and old, and listening to stories being told. The dining room ambiance was classy dinner club decor, with lots of dark wood, red and gold brocade type wallpaper and drapes, and red velvet accent furniture. It felt a bit back in time and was a lovely comfortable dining experience. Everyone enjoyed their entree and deserts were decadent. Vegetarian, vegan and gluten free options are offered with a combination of items off the bar and dining room menus.

Visited this pub last night and what a find. In a village that you have to go to not drive through…read morejust south of Durham City. It was built in 1727 & still holds its charm. A bar on one side of building & a large restaurant area on the other. We booked a table in the morning but could have walked in as it was not to busy for a Saturday night. Mainly couples as customers. The Menus where full & extensive,at a reasonable price. Including special boards. I had steak & ale pie with chips and vegetables, a man size dinner was provided. Partner had chicken Parma with chips and salad again a nice size serving. All those that I saw eating regardless of what was ordered was plentiful. More than enough waiting staff to serve drink & deliver food, which wasn't to over powering as can be the case sometimes. All very pleasant and polite. We delayed our desert to finish of drinks and I had spotted dick and custard which again was plentiful & partner had key lime pie & ice cream, again perfect. On departure settled bill at bar & said how very nice it had been. The car park at the front and side of building was more than ample, failing that more room around a large village green. So if your heading south from Durham City head for Tudhoe Village, not Tudhoe. Easily confused. There is a brown sign on the main road through Tudhoe. Well deserved 5 stars.

What a fantastic night, ten of us went here for a friends birthday meal and we were not…read moredisappointed. The food was amazing, the portions were big, the staff were friendly, nothing was too much trouble for them. We all agreed we would be back in the very near future! Thank you for an excellent night!

Middle of nowhere, casual dress, Michelin-starred…read more My husband and I went out of our way to eat and stay here. Was it worth the 3 hour journey from London (2-hr train ride, 1-hr by car) to make our reservation from 6-months earlier? Absolutely. Courses are small, but plenty. Staff are immensely courteous and thoughtful (they made a custom menu for our dietary needs and even had the chefs sign it before we left). And the setting couldn't be more idyllic. I'd suggest getting the wine pairing as it really completes the meal. Go ahead and stay the night as breakfast is included the next day. Just make sure to work out your travel from the train station to the restaurant. It really is out in the sticks.

An absolutely fantastic experience enhanced by the charming and beautiful countryside that The…read moreBlack Swan at Oldstead is nestled within - an area that I wouldn't have visited otherwise but am grateful for having done so. Make sure to make a small detour to Kilburn to see The Kilburn White Horse which stands firmly in the hillside. The Black Swan is a beautiful picturesque old pub full of warmth and charm. Upon arrival you are welcomed into the bar area for aperitifs where a log fire crackles and glows. Make sure to notice the Robert Thompson mouse carved into the bar. Great selection of small batch gins - I enjoyed a glass of Sir Robin of Locksley from Sheffield with tonic. Amuse bouche are served here before moving upstairs to the restaurant. The Smoked Eel and Apple Tartlets were light and well balanced in their flavours whilst the Chicken Dumpling was rich, satisfying and would sit well on the finest of dim sum plates in Hong Kong. The restaurant is more modern in decoration with an "open kitchen" where some of the dishes are prepared with a clear artistic love and attention to detail. Service is friendly, knowledgeable and attentive without being intrusive. Good selection of wines for most palates and wallets. I had the 10 course tasting menu which, at £85, felt like a bargain compared to the price of Michelin starred food in major cities. To start, a Mussel with Oyster Leaf canapé - so perfectly decorated that it felt wrong to eat it, but so tasty. Next up Langoustine with Caramelised Whey, served like a lollipop with a twig to hold it with - lovely textures and cooked to perfection. Venison Tartare followed - a small dish but rich in flavour and beautifully prepared and decorated. Sour Bread and Sour Butter was distinctive and a good filler in preparation for the main courses. The Monkfish with Asparagus and Onion, although delicious, was probably the weakest dish. The sauce tasted like heavy sweet soy sauce and was a bit overpowering in its saltiness for the delicate flavour of the fish. Still very enjoyable though. The Slowly Cooked Crapaudine Beetroot was the star of the menu. Cooked in beef fat (I believe), the beetroot takes on a heavier composition and is chewy and almost glutinous with all of the accompanying decorations providing broad and bold flavours. Absolutely fantastic! Scallop Cured with Rhubarb was another standout with the smoothness of the slightly charred scallops countering the tartness of the rhubarb, all tied together with a rich and balanced sauce. Herb-Fed Chicken with Wild Garlic from this Year and Last was another amazing creation with a blanket over the chicken in the form of a garlic leaf. The chicken was more warm than hot but extremely tasty. The first dessert was ice cream (or iced yoghurt?) Lollipops which were wonderfully innovative with their unique flavours. The Sheep's Milk with Douglas Fir Oil was also an memorable dessert with natural tastes of the season. The final dessert, served with coffee was Cake made from Artichoke, Chicory Root and Thyme. The combination worked well although the chicory root (?) was slightly bitter. A great end to a fantastic meal and experience. For most who visit The Black Swan at Oldstead, a significant journey will be involved but don't let that put you off...It's well worth the effort and will be one of those great food experiences.

I found this pub purely by chance and what a gem it proved to be.Perched on a hillside it has a…read morelarge car park overlooking the valley and village below and has outside seating for the more hardy souls amongst us.On entering we were immediately struck by the cosy atmosphere in the bar,greatly helped by a log fire crackling in the grate.The staff were welcoming and friendly and when we enquired about food we were given the choice of eating in the bar or the restaurant.The bar had a choice of cask ales from the Blacksheep Brewery as well as a range of lagers,wines and spirits.The menu was very comprehensive with most of the food coming from local sources and all dishes are cooked to order.Our meals were well cooked,nicely presented and arrived at the table piping hot.Portion sizes were large and very good value for money.I would place the meals at the top end of pub cuisine and say this is a must visit place if you are in the area.

Chraming cosy pub in Ellington Village in Northumberland. Near to cresswell beach & druridge bay,…read moreyou can easily stop off here if you are on your way up the coast to amble, or coming back down from that way. Very easy to find and such a nice place. Lovely friendly atmosphere, we got a warm welcome when we arrived. They do a good range of food served Mon-Sat 12pm -8pm and Sunday Lunch 12pm - 3pm. I have not tried a Sunday lunch yet but have been midweek when the food was lovely, generous portions! I thought the cost of the main meals were very good and were what I expect from a local pub. Talking to the lady behind the bar she informed us that they have just added some B&B accommodation, this will come in handy for relatives visiting us from Yorkshire, a bit different from the usual premier inn. The pub itself has a very nice lounge, very relaxing with fireplace. There is plenty of seating in the restaurant and this has a warm atmosphere. There is a separate bar area which also has a nice feel to it. I will come back here again, and although I do not live in Ellington, i wish this was my local! Plenty of parking outside the pub. Fantastic pub grub with a good atmosphere and pleasant surroundings, I'll be back!

Had a great time at this pub with a booked group of 16 people. Nothing was too much trouble for…read moreKatrina the owner, and her fab staff. One of the group cheekily added her request to the already comprehensive menu,........ and got it, Katrina actually going out to obtain her request. Stunning!! Can't speak too highly of the food, some fussy eaters were really blown away by the quality of the food. The Inn itself, is lovely and comfortable, with great atmosphere. Thanks for making the meal special x

Foid excellent, service excellent, we go Sunday lunch, always great, staff wonderful, need to try…read morea steak one night.

Possibly the best steak in the North East?…read more They cook their steaks on a super heated stone at your table to perfection. While the chef does that he talks to you and that is half the fun. If you love your steak, this place is a must.

Been to this pub just once before about 15 years ago. It has certainly gone up market. Went this…read moreevening about 4.30 with family. 3 Adults and a child. Service good but only one other family in so it should have been. The food we ordered, all different was nice/warm & hearty. This included steak & mushroom pie, cornerstone burger which was massive & a Mexican dish, child had hot dog & chips. Overall we enjoyed it & reasonable price. No Alcohol as we drove. I would certainly return & recommend. A little like the Copper Mine on the other side of Crook.

Fantastic family friendly pub which serves fantasic food at amazing prices. Not to mention the 2…read morefor £10 deal. Superb place to go for sunday dinner aswell with the choice of 3/4 different meats and all the trimmings. Famous for the massive portions.