The best and worst Wetherspoonpubs in County Durham have been revealed, according to TripAdvisor reviews from those who have visited.
Wetherspoonshas eight pubs in County Durham - which range from those that have rooms to stay and those standalone pubs.
Many people like visiting venues belonging to the pub chain, given the cheaper prices compared to other places.
Here are the best and worst ranked Wetherspoons in County Durham:
A guide to Wetherspoons in County Durham- ranked from best to worst
The Five Quarter, Peterlee
Tripadvisor rating: 4
Peterlee and coal-mining went hand in hand for more than 150 years. At one time, Horden Colliery was the biggest pit in Britain, where miners worked the ‘High Main’, ‘Five Quarter’ and ‘Yard’ seams. The first substantial development in the Peterlee area followed the arrival of the Burdon family, in the 1750s. Rowland Burdon bought and improved the Manor of Castle Eden. His work was continued by his son of the same name. However, it was the discovery of coal deposits, in 1822, which transformed the area.
This is one of the best Wetherspoons pubs in the region - out of 93review ratings, The Five Quarter in Peterlee came out with four out of five stars.
In the reviews, one diner praised The Five Quarter by saying: "What can I say. I've never had a bad meal and the staff are so friendly. Very fast service too. Prices are real good as would expect being what it is.
However, not everyone had the same enthusiasm for the venue, with one person reviewing it by saying: "I brought my two siblings for dessert at 8:30pm. One is 18 and the other is 17. The manager immediately came over to the table to say we weren’t allowed in with someone under 18 even though there were two year olds sat on the next table."
The Hat and Feathers, Seaham
Tripadvisor rating: 3.5
This two-storey building was built in the 1960s on the site of smaller Victorian properties. Church Street took shape in the 1840s and was completed by 1865. It remained largely residential until the late 19th century. During 1923–81, Doggarts’ department store would sell furniture, clothes and fine hats with feathers. The Hat and Feathers are mentioned in a poem about Seaham’s old pubs and is thought to have stood on the outskirts of the town.
One reviewer loved the venue, saying: "We came two days running for breakfast, no complaints at all. The staff are very friendly, food usual good Wetherspoons food, you know what you are getting. Love the top up hot drinks idea, had some extra maple bacon, oh so nice.
Meanwhile, it wasn't all good news for the pub, with one reviewer saying: "We visit this pub regularly like most Wetherspoons pub cheapish and cheerful. Still have the same issues with basic standards. Finding a table is the easy part getting some to clean it is difficult."
The Bishops’ Mill, Durham
Tripadvisor rating: 3.5
This pub is named after the historic mill which stood for centuries adjacent to this site. First recorded in the Boldon Book of 1183, the bishop’s mill was the place where the freemen of Durham could grind their corn. The corn mill was rebuilt in the 17th century and stood here until 1972. The mill race was later used to power the adjacent ice rink.
The good part
One diner said: "The Bishop's Mill is your standard Wetherspoons pub - what you see is what you get. Had lunch both days of my visit to Durham as there is an easy menu to order from. Food was good and came promptly.
The bad part
One disappointed diner said: "Staff are very rude, unhelpful and incredibly poor customer service (perhaps not all but certainly the man who served me). Waste of time speaking to the manager."
The Horse Shoe Inn, Crook
Tripadvisor rating: 3.5
These former two properties were grade II listed in 1987 and described as ‘late 18th century with mid-19th-century shop and public house fronts. The public house has a door right of centre, with a moulded hood over lintel incised C 1822’. At that time, Crook was a rural hamlet with a population of 228 (125 males; 103 females), chiefly employed in agriculture. The ‘Horse Shoe’ was the only inn.
Noted as a 3.5/5 stars venue, The Horse Shoes Inn is ranked as number four out of five in Crook for light bites on TripAdvisor.
In recent reviews, one diner seemed to love the venue, saying: "We visited here today and everything was spot on. All procedures were carried out by friendly welcoming staff.
However, another dissatisfied customer, said: "Went today for a fish Friday meal, alas surprise we have no fish, I wonder what day they expect to have fish, if not when advertised."
The Wicket Gate, Chester-Le-Street
Tripadvisor rating: 3.5
Chester-le-Street Cricket Club is situated behind the shops facing the Chicago Rock Café site and has played here since 1866. Also nearby is the new Riverside ground, home to Durham County Cricket Club. The first first-class match was held at ‘The Riverside’ in May 1995. The ground hosted its first Test Match (between England and Zimbabwe) in 2003 – all a far cry from the early days of cricket, when the target was usually the wicket-gate of the sheep pasture which was defended with a bat in the form of a shepherd’s crooked staff.
63 per cent of customers leave excellent or very good reviews for The Wicket Gate on social media.
While one diner seemed to hate the venue, saying: "Nicely done out but pity about service takes ages to get served loads of people waiting for drinks very bad system plenty staff doing very little," while one who seemed to enjoy their visit added: "Great place for casual drinks and food. Visited with my best friend and the food was great, drinks were brought to our table very quickly after we ordered."
The Grand Electric Hall, Spennymoor
Tripadvisor rating: 3.5
The first of the two cinemas on this site was the Arcadia Grand Electric Hall. The main entrance was also at the west end of the building, with the letters ARCADIA arranged in a semicircle around the clock at the top of the building and GRAND ELECTRIC HALL across the façade. A photograph from 1914 shows the old cinema in far less busy times. A photograph dated c1910 shows the Victorian Market Hall which stood on the site of the ‘Grand Electric’.
With more than half of their customers happy, the Grand Electric Hall has excellent or very good reviews58 per cent of the time.
A recent reviewer didn't seem to enjoy their visit, with them saying: "We are great fans of Wetherspoons pubs. The last time we have been in here it was disgustingly filthy. Tables were piled high with dirty dishes, customers had to move them to get a clear table.
However, it's not all bad news for The Grand Electric Hall, with one impressed person saying: "I am a Wetherspoons girl. I'm a connoisseur. This was probably the best I've been in. The place was well laid out with plenty of room and the outside extremely inviting."
The Company Row, Consett
Tripadvisor rating: 3.5
Consett came into being after the chance discovery of ironstone, which led to the formation of the Derwent Iron Company, in 1841, which constructed rows of houses, known as Company Rows, for its workers. The first included Staffordshire Terrace and Puddlers’ Row. Other rows – later called Princes Street, King Street and Queen Street – were built parallel to Front Street. They were mostly demolished in 1924 and, in 1936, the site became a market place, which has recently been developed.
Out of all the Tripadvisor reviews, 57 per cent are rated excellent or very good at The Company Row.
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One diner who ranked the place terrible said: "My recent experience at this establishment was tarnished by a disrespectful member of staff who I believe to be a manager at this establishment."
In contrast, though, another that rated The Company Row highly said: "Popped in for breakfast this morning. I ordered via the app, my coffee cup came within seconds and my breakfast was ready within 10 minutes. The food was really nice, customer service was good and attentive.
The Stanley Jefferson, Bishop Auckland
Tripadvisor rating: 3
The Laurel Room, in Bishop Auckland Town Hall, is named after Stan Laurel. Born Stanley Jefferson, Stan Laurel is better known as the thin half of the famous double-act Laurel and Hardy. Stan’s parents managed the town’s Theatre Royal. Stan was christened here and, in 1903, attended the grammar school.
While this pub may fall in ninth place, 46 per cent of customers have shared excellent or very good experiences on Tripadvisor.
One customer who enjoyed their time in the venue said: "We stopped on here whilst travelling past. It was easy to find on the sat nav. Reasonably priced parking available a short walk away. Staff friendly. Pub clean. Food is served quickly and of good quality. The toilets are spacious and clean. We would return."
However, another wasn't so impressed, and they said: "Was up in this part of the world today and arranged to meet family for bite to eat. Worst Thursday curry night I have ever had in a weatherspoons pub."
