Colpitts Hotel, Durham

Excellent street corner building, very traditional inside and the Sam Smiths was ok. nice front room on the corner, early opening. Nice

This is quite a pleasant Sam Smiths pub, and there were a few locals in here at the time of my visit, which was towards the end of a Durham tour that took in rather more pubs than I had planned: this one was the 12th. This partly explains why I didn't notice at first that my half of Old Brewery was not up to scratch. I took it back and pointed out its defects, whereupon the manager disappeared down to the cellar and then returned to pour some beer into a pint glass which he then tipped down the sink, and then pouring me another half to taste. (He must have had a barrel ready to connect up when someone complained, so he knew full well that the beer was on the edge, if not worse.) This new glass was ok, but as I went to sit down again I saw that the beer was cloudy. I didn't want to make a scene, and the beer was at least drinkable, but it was disappointing to leave this pub with a bad impression. Better than with a bad taste in my mouth, I suppose.

The Colpitts Hotel is situated on the apex of two roads. Once inside the main room is oblong shaped,there is also a smaller room in the front corner of the pub which has a pool table and darts board in it,there is one more room which is off the main room,the seating is bench type and small stools. The pub is a Samuel Smiths tied house,there was one real ale on the bar which was Samuel Smiths Old Brewery bitter which was a very nice drink and very cheap at 90p for a half. The pub was very busy on my Saturday afternoon visit. I quite liked this pub. Pub visited 19/3/2016

Corner junction Sam Smiths pub which is pretty unspoilt inside. A public bar area in the building’s apex, with a pool room and comfy lounge side room (quite a bit of character) elsewhere. Main bar seems to be where the action is, fairly spartan in décor but warm and welcoming with a collection of friendly barflys plus a matriarch landlady. Selection of board games above the bar. Quiz night Tuesdays. Usual Sams drinks selection with OBB available and in pretty good shape. Worth popping in if you're doing the excellent Elm Tree over the way, a proper traditional town boozer.