Dickens Bar @ The Morritt Arms Hotel, Barnard Castle

The bar in this upmarket hotel earns the place a note in CAMRA's Regional Inventory of pub interiors, being as it is covered from ceiling to floor in a mural of Dickens characters. He apparently spent a night here in 1838 in what must have been a very different setting. Numerous newspaper excerpts can tell this history to the interested. The village is now bypassed by the thunder of the A66 but well signposted, and easy to reach from the Richmond-Barney road. Landlord was the only real ale offering but was in good nick. Reasonably priced food is offered, but the overall feel is definitely that of a hotel bar as opposed to a pub. Despite being on the NI, traditional pub lovers won't find a great deal to interest them here beyond the mural. Made part of a good double-header with the Millbank Arms in Barningham down the road, but the impending gastrification of the latter will mean that there isn't too much left for the traditional pub fan. Still worth a visit if you're passing on the A66.

Official site of the Morritt Arms - www.themorritt.co.uk

Official site of the Morritt Arms - www.themorritt.co.uk