The Durham Ox

Booked last minute for a xmas break away and so glad we did! We had the most amazing time. The food is utterly delicious, well done chefs. The service is top notch, friendly and efficient. Fabulous choice of wines & cocktails. Our room was lovely, a bath you could swim in and thoughtful xmas touches. We cannot recommend this haven of loveliness enough and can’t wait to return. Well done to all the team x

This was our 5/6th time we have stayed at the ox over that’s few years, we stayed in Rose cottage which is perfect as we have two young children. It’s always really warm and cosy on arrival and check in is really quick and easy. It’s recently been renovated and the downstairs layout has improved, it has a lovely entrance/kitchen area which was great for coats, shoes and the pushchair. It also has a fridge and wine cooler which is really useful for storing baby milk etc. New sofas and seating in the living room are really comfy (changed since our stay last year) and the bathroom is huge with the most amazing shower and big bath. The super king bed is really comfy and the rooms are really cosy, we didn’t use the twin room on this occasion. The customer service is always second to none and the food is really good! Lots of procedures in place with the current Covid situation but this does not affect your stay. Looking forward to our next visit.

Stayed overnight for our wedding anniversary based on it’s reputation. Our first night away since lockdown began. We left shocked and very disappointed. The only positives were a large modern bathroom, large bed with nice bedding. We’d booked The Studio - the largest, most expensive room, which includes a kitchen and an outdoor, raised, decked area. The decked area was completely unusable: A broken rail on the outdoor stairs up to the studio, broken gate, dirty, moss-covered decking, metal bistro set in badly needing a coat of paint. Inside was the filthiest carpet runner ever. The decor and furniture inside are scruffy and desperately need to be refreshed. The kitchen we were told isn’t currently in use ( not mentioned when booking). It’s in a terrible state; extractor fan door hanging off, dirty floor, large gap between floor and cupboards. We asked for an alternative room; none was available. We accepted the manager’s offer of 50% off the room rate. We slept on it and after an over-priced, ordinary evening meal and a breakfast of solid poached eggs, we showed the events manager our room (manger wasn’t in). To her credit she further refunded for the full cost of the B&B rate - an admission that The Studio in its current state is not suitable for paying guests. We decided to post a review because The Studio still being advertised!! Despite our refund, the occasion was spoiled. The Durham Ox should be ashamed, remove The Studio from it’s website and completely refurbish it!

We had the most wonderful stay at the Durham Ox. Arrived in time for lunch has a warm welcome checked into the most beautiful room, light and sunny with gorgeous views. Very cosy and comfortable and exceptionally clean. Lunch was delicious and we were well looked after, we had a bottle of the New Zealand Sauvingon Blanc which was cold fresh and delicious. We had a stroll up to the Church in the afternoon and then back to the pub for a hot shower and a fantastic dinner. The manager was an excellent host and really looked after us. He had great knowledge on the wines, we ordered a bottle of the house Claret which really was good, the Lamb for main course, for starters - pasta and the Asian pork belly, both delicious and all of the meat was cooked exceptionally well, absolutely delicious. The room was very clean with lovely good quality bedding and towels. Covid rules were followed fastidiously and we felt very safe. We will be returning, this is our new favourite place.

We stayed for the Sunday night supper club. Everything was absolutely perfect. Lovely clean room with everything you could need. Coffee and tea, both with pots, really nice linen and towels. Nice sunny patio with armchairs and table. We sat outside as the pub was still busy with lunches, and had drinks served by a nice, friendly waitress. Dinner was all delicious, beautifully cooked and presented. After a great night's sleep and a walk up.to the church, we had an excellent breakfast served by another smiling, friendly waitress. Lots of choice and all too quality produce. A really lovely break and we can't wait to go back.