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Disappointment of the week with Mobyduck
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Dun Cow, Durham
Durham
DH1 3HN
Reviews (Current Rating Average: 8 of 10) see review guidelines
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Will Larter left this review about Dun Cow
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.
On 25th May 2022
- rating: 7
[User has posted 3733 recommendations about 3470 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Blue Scrumpy left this review about Dun Cow
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.
On 27th November 2021
- rating: 7
[User has posted 2452 recommendations about 2451 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Ian Mapp left this review about Dun Cow
C15th Grade II Listed pub in the 2021 GBG.
Thin corridor offers a sliding door to the front bar or a more standard portal to the rear lounge. The rear lounge is traditional, low ceiling, brown wooden seating with some bench seating.
Very friendly staff and Castle Eden Ale in fine condition.
On 4th September 2021
- rating: 8
[User has posted 1337 recommendations about 1323 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Brainy Pool left this review about Dun Cow
Loved this old pub although we had to sit alone in the lounge as the snug bar was full. A few other customers chose to sat outside at the front. Feels very old fashioned and 1970s in decor as Graham has noted. Good pint of Landlord.
On 20th August 2021
- rating: 9
[User has posted 1058 recommendations about 1023 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Graham Coombs left this review about Dun Cow
The Durham classic with a front snug bar accessed through a sliding door and a larger lounge room at the rear down the side alleyway. Unspoilt in the way of not having been messed about with for many years and retains a sort of 1970/80's feel. There is a yard with a smoking area at the back, and a few tables were stacked up which presumably are used somewhere when the weather is fine. The beers on offer at time of visit were Castle Eden, Black Sheep and Moorhouses White Witch, and still with the keg Trophy as mentioned below.
On 5th December 2017
- rating: 8
[User has posted 3339 recommendations about 3276 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Alan Winfield left this review about Dun Cow
The Dun Cow is a really nice looking pub that is on an equally nice looking street.
Once inside the pub has two separate rooms,there is a small room to the front which has comfy bench seating,the rear room is larger and oblong shaped,it is carpeted and has comfy bench seating with chairs and small stools.
There were three real ales on the bar,i had a drink of Copper Dragon Golden Pippin which was a very nice drink,the other beer were Castle Eden and Black Sheep bitter,there was also Whitbread Trophy on keg and people were asking for it,a blast from the past.
The pub was very busy with both drinkers and diners,the food was very cheap with a corned beef pie coming in at £2.95.
I would happily return here and also try the food on offer.
I quite liked this pub.
Pub visited 19/3/2016
On 10th April 2016
- rating: 9
[User has posted 6113 recommendations about 6113 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Quinno _ left this review about Dun Cow
Historic old pub almost opposite the imposing red brick university building. Two rooms accessed via a side corridor, and in this corridor you can read about the legend of the Dun Cow (which sounds like a load of old cobblers to me). Star of the show is the carpeted and wood panelled front snug which has a slide door (woe betide anyone who doesn’t close it behind them on a chilly day). Pretty small is the snug and it was already full at quarter past midday. The fireplace has been bricked over which is a shame. Next door down is the lounge which looks like two rooms knocked into one. To the right is a spartan whitewashed area whilst the left is more comfortable, set for informal dining and hosts a wood burning stove which was sadly unlit as it was pretty chilly. Five ales on, a house beer - Castle Eden - from Cameron's (very good nick) Cameron's Gold, Copper Dragon Golden Pippen and Black Sheep. Trophy Special on keg, not seen that for a while. Taciturn barmaid, I thought they prided themselves on their friendliness up this way? Seems like she was the daughter of the landlady, who was a lot better at serving customers. The mardy service excepted, I liked this one – but it is based around bagging a seat in the characterful front bar.
On 10th July 2015
- rating: 8
[User has posted 5072 recommendations about 5055 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Malden man left this review about Dun Cow
A lovely old pub oozing with character, it retains a two room format with a small bar to the front accessed from a side corridor via a sliding door. A real fire was burning in here and a group of locals were milling around the bar chewing the fat over this and that. I opted to continue down to the larger rear lounge which was a comfortable mostly carpeted room with red buttoned banquettes and a low beamed ceiling. Framed sporting paintings in here of cricket, rugby and rowing.
The landlady was welcoming and very cheery, I felt instantly at home, beers were Castle Eden Ale (£3.20), Copper Dragon Golden Pippin....never seems to find its way south....and Black Sheep Bitter.
The definitely northern food menu included hot roast beef sandwich with gravy and corned beef pie with chips and mushies, (£2.80 and £4.95 respectively). They also do sweets, Yorkies, Snickers and Kit-Kats behind the bar. Not something I'd choose with a pint.
A great proper old traditional pub and certainly worthy of its GBG 2015 entry. I first visited here in the very late 1980s, I reckon they may have decorated since but not much more. Superb. The story of the pub's name can be found in the outside link corridor.
On 4th June 2015
- rating: 8
[User has posted 1707 recommendations about 1681 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Real Ale Ray left this review about Dun Cow Inn
I really took to this pub on my fab visit to Durham. You enter the front bar via a sliding door. On entering, I found the locals and manageress very welcoming. In fact, they were great fun. The Castle Eden was a good session beer, very moreish. You can even hang your jacket at the bar hooks attached. Will defo return.
On 20th March 2011
- rating: 9
[User has posted 3382 recommendations about 3381 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
E TA left this review about Dun Cow Inn
The Dun Cow is a wonderful old town pub close to the old City centre and dating from about the 16th Century. There is a plaque inside linking the pub with the legend of St Cuthbert. The larger bar at the back makes it feel much larger than the small frontage suggests. There are bar snacks available at a reasonable price, andthe staff are very friendly and welcoming. Three ales on; I had the Castle Eden which is the regular beer here and always served in excellent condition. An essential part of a City crawl and a pub to which I am happy to return any time.
On 19th October 2010
- rating: 7
[User has posted 3281 recommendations about 3246 pubs]