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Detail Pages
The Victoria, Durham
Durham
DH1 3AS
Reviews (Current Rating Average: 9 of 10) see review guidelines
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Will Larter left this review about The Victoria
I had a strange experience as I approached this pub, as the street and the pub itself seemed so quiet that I got the impression the pub was closed, though I knew that it should have been open. All I could see was the closed door (front right) and no lights visible. Just then, the door opened and four people came out - they didn't have the demeanour of drinkers, and looked more like they were staying in the rooms upstairs. I walked to the left, and now I could see an entrance in the front left corner that had been previously hidden, and a globe lamp in the front that I had also been unable to see because of the window frame. Mystery solved, I entered the pub with some relief.
What a first impression. One of the best and as it happens most welcoming public bars I have ever been in. Just a handful of customers, quite clearly regulars, and a helpful and welcoming man behind the bar. There are five hand pumps, with beers from four different north-eastern breweries: Hadrian Border, Big Lamp, Allendale and Durham. I went for a half of Big Lamp Bitter, which was in superb condition. I got involved in a bit of conversation and then went to have a look around the other rooms - there were another handful of people in the back room. Everything was delightful, well preserved, interesting and tasteful.
I decided to have a second half, this time Allendale Golden Plover, from one of my favourite breweries; although this was another excellent beer, it was ill-advised from the point of view of the number of pubs on my schedule, and I compensated in the next pub by having a cup of coffee. But back to the Victoria, whose many good qualities had occupied my visit to the extent that I had not written any notes. I scrawled "words fail me" in my notebook, my only thought being that it's a shame that 10 is the maximum rating available on reviews on Pubs Galore. I don't award many 10s, and this is my first 11.
On 25th May 2022
- rating: 10
[User has posted 3746 recommendations about 3483 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Blue Scrumpy left this review about The Victoria
The Victoria is an unspoiled gem not too far from Durham city centre and near to the university. Nevertheless, it had no students in for my late Thursday afternoon visit. Customers all appeared to be locals who knew one another.
The pub's coal fires were in full working order and supplying the heat needed to ward off the chill of a late autumn day.
I managed to grab a seat in the main bar and didn't explore the other two rooms. But they both looked quite quaint when observed from the bar.
Big Lamp Bitter is the regular beer here. Also on were Big Lamp Prince Bishop Ale, Maxim Swedish Blonde, Harviestoun Bitter & Twisted & Durham Moana. They also had a real cider, which was Weston's Rosie's Pig.
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 The Victoria
Unspoiled Multi roomed Victorian Pub. Busy front bar. Quiet Snug. Walls covered with pub paraphernalia.
Friendly staff and locals.
Good Beer Guide 2021 and the Big Lamp Bitter was in perfect condition. At least 4 other handpulls on.
On 4th September 2021
- rating: 9
[User has posted 1338 recommendations about 1324 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Brainy Pool left this review about The Victoria
Multi roomed historic pub that has been perfectly described below. Unspoilt in every way, the kind of gem that you don’t find too often. Five ales on and lots of whiskies if you’re into that kind of thing. No music, just the sound of the regulars in the bar chatting away to the landlady. One to return to again and again, I think.
On 20th August 2021
- rating: 10
[User has posted 1058 recommendations about 1023 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
custodian 42 left this review about The Victoria
Pretty good pub this, with a decent selection of ales, Irish and Scottish whisk(e)ys and a roaring fire. Definitely worth a revisit.
On 5th January 2017
- rating: 8
[User has posted 1693 recommendations about 1691 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Alan Winfield left this review about The Victoria
The Victoria is a proper old school pub.
Once inside i noted three separate rooms,i had a drink in the main bar room which is fairly basic,the room is bare boarded and the seating comfy bench type and small stools,there was a nice real fire on the go to the left.
There is a smart looking lounge to the rear right which is carpeted and also had a real fire on the go,the other room is to the front right,but i did not look in this room.
There was a good choice of real ales on the bar,i had a drink of Big Lamp bitter which went down well,the other beers were Youngs London Gold,Orkney Raven Ale,Wylam Gold Tankard and Abbeydale Deception.
The pub was very quiet on my Saturday dinner visit with only two other customers in.
This is a proper unaltered pub that is well worth a visit if in Durham.
Pub visited 19/3/2016
On 10th April 2016
- rating: 8
[User has posted 6113 recommendations about 6113 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Quinno _ left this review about The Victoria
Heritage multi-roomed corner pub a few minutes out of the city centre. Enter at the apex to a public bar with a proper fire on the go. Small, dark and quiet lounge 'sitting room' to rear via bar rear, housing an oddity of china ornaments, faded countryside prints and more Victoria ephemera. Old push bells behind the banquettes. Look out for the lobby with a number of doors, all having original frosted glass inscriptions of the room behind. To right as you enter is a nice quiet room, also well kitted out with ornate fireplace, rug, old royal family prints and old gin, rum and brandy serving kegs. Impressive collection of Toby jugs and elephants on a gantry behind the bar, plus a surfeit of QVI memorabilia throughout. Arkwright’s till behind bar, very ornate and calling up old money. A nice line of old man banter between the regulars, especially good given this is a quiet pub - no jukey or TVs. Six pumps here with four ales on; Saltaire Amarillo Gold, Durham Black Bishop (good), Big Lamp Bitter (fair) and Wylam Gold Tankard (good). Beers coming up included Kelham Island and Saltaire Triple Choc. Gwent y Ddraig farmhouse scrumpy also available. Wide selection of single malts as well as whiskies, so plenty of choice. A vast amount of old GBG window stickers attest to this pub’s place in the national ‘must-visit’ list. And I can’t really disagree.
On 10th July 2015
- rating: 9
[User has posted 5099 recommendations about 5082 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Malden man left this review about The Victoria
This is a superb pub, perfectly preserved with three rooms and a tiny little space called "The Family Department" which is the old jug and bottle, so designed that kids could be sent for a jug of beer and receive it without entering the pub real. I visited mid afternoon during the week, I think they do open all day now, some days anyway, there were a few clearly regulars in as well as the cheery young barman. I was welcomed as if they knew me and was straight into conversation about the pub, beers and life in general. All very convivial.
The interior is a real gem, the etched glass doors are intact, wood panelling, old fireplaces with coals settling and giving off much needed cheer, there is an old brass cash till, not now in use but remaining as a feature, all sorts of interesting stuff in frames including portraits of the old Queen herself. More modern framed items contain lots of awards. The daily papers are in a rack.
Five beers on on the handpumps, Kelham Island Easy Rider, Revolution EP, Saltaire Triple Chocoholic, Big Lamp Bitter plus Oakham Citra. The beer quality was top notch, I was offered tasters and once settled with my pint of Easy Rider, I was asked if it was ok, like you get in a restaurant.
The group of blokes who were in settled later for a game of dominoes, joined by the barman; they invited me but I declined as I didn't want to look a fool. They were so refreshing to watch though, knocking dominoes, laughter and genial frustration, so much better than TV and loud music; there are none of those here.
This is a tremendous pub, it was my last one in Durham before the train, thank God I found the time for it. I don't give 10s, this is a 9.8 at least.
On 5th June 2015
- rating: 9
[User has posted 1708 recommendations about 1681 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
ROB Camra left this review about Victoria Inn
Still one of my favourite pubs in Durham. Called in after a gap of a couple of years and it's still fantastic. It just seems to improve with age. A main bar with a small snug reached through the bar and another small room reached through another door. Roaring real fires, William Morris wallpaper, no jukebox, staff that are as old as the hills with lots of character. Five handpumps serving Big Lamp Bitter and 4 changing guests all well kept, plus a massive selection of whisky. It's a great pub. Be aware that the pub keeps olde worlde hours as well. It's closed from 3 - 7 every afternoon. I can also recommend the Spanish restaurant across the road, El Coto, it's a great double header with this place.
On 11th January 2012
- rating: 9
[User has posted 3224 recommendations about 3135 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
John Bonser left this review about Victoria Inn
I thought that I'd make my 250th posting here one of my all time favourites that I visited late in 2008
Splendidly traditional pub with an unusual interconnecting three bar layout which comprises a popular front bar and 2 quieter "sitting rooms" - as per the etched windows.
The pub is adorned throughout with memorabilia of Queen Victoria - posters, paintings etc - which contribute towards a splendid old fashioned atmosphere.There is a piano in one of the sitting rooms.
As well as the 3 rooms, there is a screened "family department" for off-sales.
The pub is listed in CAMRA's National Inventory of Unspoilt Interiors.
On the ale front, the pub is a keen supporter of local micros - Big Lamp Bitter, Durham White Gem and Hadrian Pioneer were just 3 of the beers on offer during my mid-September visit.
There is no background music to disturb the peaceful tranquillity throughout the pub.
This is a "must-visit" pub - make no mistake.
Go there !
On 6th July 2011
- rating: 10
[User has posted 560 recommendations about 560 pubs]