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Detail Pages
The Rose Tree, Durham
Shincliffe
Postal town: Durham
DH1 2LY
Reviews (Current Rating Average: 5½ of 10) see review guidelines
Strongers . left this review about The Rose Tree
The Rose Tree is in Shincliffe on the south side of the River Wear a stone’s throw from Durham University’s Houghall Campus, so the car park is popular with people not using the pub, much to the annoyance of one of the pub’s staff members. The left-hand side of the pub is more of a restaurant, so I used the smaller right-hand side where seating across the front windows, and up the right-hand wall past an exposed brick fireplace full of chopped logs, is faced by a curved U-shaped green panelled counter to the left. This is a dog friendly place so the other three groups of people each had a dog with them, one of which was annoyingly whiny. The television was airing muted Countdown on Channel 4 while some background music played, and I noted a weekly Sunday evening quiz advertised for 7pm. Standard and premium keg was available alongside Camden Hells, and two of the three hand pumps were in use drawing Wadworth’s 6X and Hobgoblin Gold. I was driving so had a coke with an excellent BLT which set me back about £11. The staff were friendly and I enjoyed my lunch, but this place is too food led to warrant a walk out of the city just for a pint, but I may stop again for another bite to eat when next passing.
On 6th February 2026
- rating: 6
[User has posted 6560 recommendations about 6522 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Will Larter left this review about The Rose Tree
Situated just outside the village by the busy main road, the Rose Tree has an advantage over the Seven Stars at the other end of the village in that it has a car park and a small beer garden. As with the other pub, there are two doors to choose from, with Restaurant to the left leading to two rooms, one seemingly in an extension to the side of the original building. The smaller room to the right was almost full with people eating, and it felt warm, airless and muggy, but I had walked quite fast to get here in order to have time for a beer before my bus back into Durham. Black Sheep Best Bitter and Camerons Strongarm were the options, and my half of Black Sheep was in very good condition and cost me £2.25. I took it out to the garden, which would be quite a pleasant spot were it not for the roar of traffic going past outside; a hedge makes for some relief from the sights but not the sounds. I drank up hurriedly and luck was with me, as my bus was standing at the traffic lights waiting for a green as I emerged and walked towards the stop.
On 25th May 2022
- rating: 5
[User has posted 4674 recommendations about 4283 pubs]