The Bishops' Mill (JD Wetherspoon), Durham

The Bishops Mill is a barnlike Lloyds No.1 that was very busy with a student crowd during a recent midweek evening visit that coincided with a Newcastle Champions League match that was muted on televisions throughout. The serving counter across the rear wall in the high-ceilinged bar area faces high tables across the centre of the pub. Across the front are numerous seating areas, all of which were full, there must have been a couple of hundred customers. Amongst lots of keg on the counter are two banks of five hand pumps that were drawing the usual Spoons three plus Daleside’s Old Legover, Kirkstall’s Three Swords, Acorn Brewery’s Old Moor and Loch Lomond Brewery’s Auld Acquaintance. I can’t remember what I had, but the service was polite and the atmosphere was OK for a busy Lloyds, but this pub’s location on an entertainment park full of overpriced chain restaurants means that I’ll not be returning.

Located in a modern complex among various other bars & restaurants. Large main area with some smaller sections at the sides.

Whilst the Water House is the city's more traditional Wetherspoon's outlet, the Bishops' Mill is a more modern affair, located in an outdoor shopping centre amongst shops and restaurants. You enter the large patio area at the front by way of some steps down from the main passageway through the centre. Once inside, you instantly know you're in a 'spoon's. The usual suspects were on amongst the ale range - Greene King Abbot, Ruddles Best & Sharp's Doom Bar. The 2 guest ales were Maxim Swedish Blonde & Hanlon's Citramas IPA. I chose the Citramas IPA, which is almost certainly a rebadged version of their Citra IPA. In addition, two real ciders were offered - Weston's Old Rosie & Gwynt y Ddraig Black Dragon.

Badged as a Lloyd’s, it’s in a modern leisure area of restaurants and such. Funny old shape inside  maybe a truncated U sums it up. Usual furnishings although more space than usual between the tables in most of the gaff, but not round the low tables at one end. Counter at the back with usual 5+5 pulls topped, tailed and divided by T-bars, handily the dross is at the left hand end with a reasonable choice at the right, fairly decent nick too. Toilets are on the same floor level, which is nice.

This large Wetherspoons/Lloyds pub is secreted away in a modern leisure development, surrounded by sundry restaurants etc. The main bar is a bit of a cavernous space, but there are a couple of separate side areas and a surprisingly-tasteful and comfortable 'library' area. The beers at time of visit were rather disappointing however, with a small selection of the usual national brands and nothing local at all.

This is by far the largest of the Durham JDWs but sadly it's a Lloyds and even before 11:00 on a Saturday morning there was background music. It also suffers from the triple Curse of Sky Sports, BT Sports and Racing UK. Happily in the morning none of this rubbish was on just the usual subtitled news. As noted below it's a large open plan single storey room in the middle of a modern leisure complex. The Lloyds Disaster area is on the right of the bar with all the usual trappings. On this visit alcohol was only served from 11:00 due to a protest by some groups of ultra right wing fruitcakes nearby banging on about something or other. The beer choice from the ten hand pumps was virtually non existent with two ciders, the IPA version of the JDW Trio Of Doom doubled, Shepherd Neame Redpoint Disco Macaw and the wonderful GK Rocking Rudolph. I went for the Black Dragon cider which was reasonably priced but I forgot to note what it was. This place is probably only worth visiting for an early drink and / or breakfast. I wouldn't return, the smaller Spoons nearer the station is miles better.

Quite a large place but sadly not a great choice of ale when I visited. Far better than the other outlets in the complex and given the other reviews I would return to hopefully find a better ale selection.

The Bishops Mill is a Wetherspoons that i thouth was well hidden within a new complex. Once inside thereis a very large irregular shaped room with the bar facing,the room is roughly split into three areas with the usual Spoons seating in each area. There was a very good choice of guest beers on the bar,i had a drink of Williams Black which went down very well,the other beers noted were Titanic Plum Porter,Bishops Prince Ale,Marstons irish Peated Ale,Banks & Taylor Little Sheff,O Harah's JDW irish,plus the Spoons regulars Ruddles best,GK IPA and Abbot. Background music was playing and the pub was very busy on my Saturday morning visit. Pub visited 19/3/2016