Dun Cow, Durham

Old traditional pub, multiroomed. Not the friendliest but seems nice enough

One of my regular haunts when I'm staying in Durham at the Court Inn just around the corner. There's a smallish snug to the right as you enter and a larger room to the rear which has a quiz machine which I often have a game or two on. I almost always have a pint (or two) of Castle Eden as I don't see it very often and it's always in superb form in here. One of my favourite pubs in Durham.

Entrance is by a doorway to a kind of external corridor, with a sliding door giving access to the front room. The bar counter is here, with three beers on: Landlord and two from Castle Eden. I got the impression that the bar was a more recent fixture, as there is a door to the right which is now awkwardly placed because of the counter, and a fireplace is right next to the bar, meaning that if it were to be lit, no one could sit near it. When going along the corridor later in search of the toilet, I was struck by the number of chairs lined up along it - is this a result of Covid spacing - removing chairs from the back room, perhaps. Or do people really sit out here to drink? (There didn't seem to be any tables.) I had a quick look in the back room, which has a fine ceiling (see photo). I found it pleasant here, with a bit of conversation going, though not many were present; some customers in a later pub remarked that the Dun Cow is not the same since the former licensee left, but as I pointed out, such a difference is not going to be apparent to the casual one-off visitor, and I found it to be pleasant enough. And the beer was very good.

There's not a lot I can add to previous reviews. Although I chose to sit in the cosy front bar. On entering, I immediately felt a sense of deja vu. I'm almost certain I've not set foot in the Dun Cow before, but it's layout was almost identical to another pub I've been to somewhere, the name and place of which I'm yet to put my finger on. Unless there was anybody else in the rear room, I was the only customer, apart from a lady sat on a stool at the bar, who was clearly with the friendly barmaid. Before long, the barmaid and lady departed and were replaced by a younger barman who was equally friendly. Another couple also joined me, possibly on a date. I remarked on how the Half Moon could be a suitable location for a date earlier. But the Dun Cow could equally be. Indeed, I'd feel much more at home here. My Castle Eden Ale was very enjoyable. The 2 guest beers were Timothy Taylor Landlord & Moorhouse's White Witch. I recommend a visit here.