The Bull Inn

We stopped here for lunch, and have to say the food exceeded expectations. The soup came out piping hot which is always a good sign, and the bread was warm and delicious. The service was also very attentive, and the gentleman who served our table was kind and courteous. We will definitely visit here again some time.

We stayed here on the way to pick up my son from University. We will be back. The service and food was amazing! Highly recommend the creamy mushrooms! Everyone was so friendly and helpful. We had the small double - perfect for us and very cute! Bed so comfy and the breakfast the next day was gorgeous. All COVID-19 compliant. Felt v safe.

(Short story) Amazing food every better staff. If ever in West Tanfield please visit. (Long story) On the 26th Oct myself and my partner visited the Bull, we were having a lovely afternoon the staff were welcoming and very attentive. We were just drawing a close to our wonderful experience by ordering dessert when a group of people walked in and ruined it all. They pushed back on all the covid guidelines, now I understand that its frustrating time but there is no need to take that out on staff members that are only trying to do their jobs. From the start you could tell they were just trying to cause trouble, 7 of them turned up and were outraged when they were told they needed to be seated separately because of the rule of 6. Once seated they were asked to fill the track and trace form out and refused to do so. The staff politely informed them if they didn't fill it in they could not be served, so begrudgingly they filled forms in. When that had finished the fun really began, they rearranged the back of the pub to try and sit together which again was followed by staff asking them nicely to return to their own seats and not touch other tables. As you can imagine by now this was met with even more outrage with them demanding they could do as they please because they are no laws to stop them and they would know, they are lawyers. The staff continued about their business when one of the group stood up and walked to the other table telling them 'I will stand here until someone tells me I can't'. She was the told she couldn't and didn't even acknowledge the staff talking to her, happy doing what she wanted she ignored staff and continued her conversation that was so important it couldn't wait. Eventually she returned to her seat and ordered her cup of tea which of course was a new battle for the staff. She needed it in her own cup which she brought with her, it was then explained to her that they cannot take her cup but if she really wanted it in her cup she could pour it in her own cup once they bring it out to her. Staff then had to undergo another scalding from these people in what can only be described as disgusting behaviour. Things then calmed down for a while with only a few outbursts until it came to pay the bill, walking around the pub (with no mask on) she went to the bar to pay the bill. Staff met her half way to ask if they could help her with her saying 'I just want to pay the bill'. She was then made aware that it is table service and that meant they would bring it to her for her to pay, for her to tell them she was paying cash. She was kindly advised it doesn't matter how you pay it still has to be table service, once again she fought back as much as she could. Eventually the bill was paid and at this time I had finally lost my temper, following them out the door I told them that they were 'rude and the way you treated the staff was disgusting, no one should ever be spoken too they way you spoke to them and it was disrespectful'. I don't know why I thought this would help but this was just met with 'shut up and get a life' and they went on there way to CHURCH! The point to this is to help you understand that the staff at the bull even though encountered by some real A class ₩@nkers they continued to be as polite as they could while enforcing the rules and making sure that they still had the best experience they could have. Thank you Andy and Izzy for your amazing work keeping us safe while we visited the pub and thank you for your lovely work and patience.

Had a lovely meal there this evening. They are extremely Covid secure! Not sure about the chain on the door on the way in but everything else was good. Well spaced tables or screens if tables close together. Girl who served us was lovely. Enjoyed the food. Thanks 😊

Very poor service, we were not made to feel very welcome and had to wait a long time before we were served. We were also asked to pay up front for our meal before they even knew if we would be wanting a desert after our main course. We didn’t stop long. The pie however was very nice but would not return due to service alone. Go further down the road to the freemasons arms. Lovely friendly pub!