Victoria Inn

The ground-floor pub has been run by the same family for over 50 years and is divided into three distinct rooms: a public bar with a curved mahogany counter, a front sitting room with a collection of Victorian porcelain figurines, and a rear snug with original service bell-pushes built into the bench seats. Each room has a cast-iron fireplace with a real coal fire, and there is no music, fruit machines, or television in the bar. Guests are welcomed with a complimentary drink at check-in, and the pub offers a selection of real ales, a range of whiskies and gins, and cheese toasties available behind the bar.

The hotel offers standard double rooms, twin rooms, and double rooms with an extra bed, all located above the pub with a private and separate room entrance. Guest reviews highlight spacious rooms, comfortable beds, excellent water pressure in the showers, and generous tea and coffee provisions that are topped up daily. The rooms are described as clean and well-decorated, with some featuring full-size bathtubs and secondary glazing to reduce road noise.

The hotel is a 10- to 15-minute walk from Durham Cathedral and the city centre, with easy access via Kingsgate Bridge. On-site free private parking is available, a notable advantage in Durham where city-centre parking typically costs GBP 20 per night. The location is close to Lumley Castle (12 km), Beamish Museum (20 km), and Teesside International Airport (39 km).

Pets are allowed throughout the property, and staff are accommodating of dogs, with guest reviews mentioning their large dog being welcomed. Family rooms with extra bedding are available, and pub regulars and staff have been noted for their friendliness toward families, including children. The pub offers a family-friendly atmosphere with domino sets available for guest use, and the location is convenient for families visiting students at Durham University.

The pub is featured in the Alastair Sawday Pub Guide, the Good Pub Guide, and the Good Beer Guide, and it was recommended in a Daily Telegraph article by local chef Tom Anglesea. Guests can participate in the local pub culture with regulars who offer recommendations on places to eat, drink, and visit. The hotel does not serve breakfast or full meals, but staff provide suggestions for nearby eateries within a 5- to 10-minute walk.

Pub: Family-run for 50 years, three rooms with coal fires

Rooms: Standard doubles, twins, and rooms with extra bed

Location: 10-min walk to Durham Cathedral, free parking on-site

Dogs: Allowed throughout the property

Drinks: Complimentary welcome drink, real ales, cheese toasties