please note - reviews on this site are purely the opinion of site visitors, so don't take them too seriously.
As with most Durham pus this was a long uphill climb to get to, making us all the more gratefull for the fine well kept beer that was on offer. The pub has an interesting entrance with it narrow bar that opens out to one side making it larger that it first appears. We visited on an early lunch time, a student was writing up notes and firing questions to the pub in general and receiving some very erudite answers. A pub very much worth re-visiting
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Swedish Blonde (an ale, alas) was very nicely kept and dispensed, and for my visit the regulars were in a sociable, chatty of mind. I had feared this was a mainly a diner's pub when I first entered but I was glad I persevered because I had a fine time which was mainly due to the conviviality of the clientele. The interior was comfortable if a little undistinguished, the service was both civil and efficient. I would seek it out again with confidence.
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Called in September 2011 and had two excellent pints. The York Guzzler kept its head perfectly and the Idle Dog was superb.I can't understand the comment from July unless the poster dislikes beer. Maybe I'm the below average clientele he describes, but I know a good real ale.The prices are amazing value too!
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Just up the road from a B&B we stayed in in late June. Best beer we found in Durham, and the food was very good too - a cut above standard pub food, at very fair prices. There was some amusing banter going on between the Polish chef and the barmaid when we visited. Definitely worth a visit.
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I have to disagree with previous posters. I had a few beers here which ranged from acceptable to unpalatable. Below average pub serving below average beer for below average clientele.
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Have to agree with previous posters. This is probably the best real ale pub in Durham, almost a brewery tap for the excellent Hill Island brewery. Worth the slog up the hill.
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Hill Island Peninsula Pint, Wylam Angel, Durham Black Velvet, Consett Steel Town and Deuchars IPA. Cracking local pub, from the pump clips they have served many different ales. Folk playing tonight. Was planning on visiting a few more Durham pubs but might stay here.
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Bursting in old atmosphere. A proper pub serving nice beer (only Strongbow in cider as they dropped the Weston's). The hardest quiz in Durham on a Wednesday night.
Up there with the best in Durham.
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First visit in early August, and obviously can't compare it to its previous incarnation, but for me this pub was one of the day's best experiences, especially the large range of mainly local ales and the friendly barmaid. Certainly worth the uphill effort. The place seemed pretty popular with many comings and goings from people who, in the main, certainly knew their beer, although I did not visit during a normally busy period.
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A nice little pub with great beer - good selection of local real ales which are well kept, if not always top of the range
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Durham's newest freehouse, having been bought from Punch Taverns, who failed to make the most of a well-located pub with a good reputation for cask beer. The Elm Tree now benefits from a reputation for four things, consistently:
- cask ale, with four handpulls. Of these, Caledonian IPA is the house beer, the others change frequently but are all from NE micros, with dark ales a regular feature. Festivals also occur from time to time.
- food, which is home-cooked and relatively cheap.
- atmosphere - friendly staff and regulars, dog-friendly also, despite the pub being smartened up since the changeover.
- the best/toughest pub quiz, with free food, I've ever done, as befits a pub with a high proportion of regulars who happen to be Durham University lecturers.
All in, a very good pub that is a wporthy additon to any Durham real ale crawl, or as a pub to spend an evening in.
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I actually preferred this place before its refurbishment! Although some of the decor was a bit dated it did feel warm and welcoming. Now it's all clean and light and there doesnt feel anywhere to hide in the corner with a nice pint! Also it was one of the few places which did regularly Strongarm which is my favourite beer of all time! Alas, it doesnt appear to any more (at least not when I've visited which to be fair is only twice in the past year!)
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Pleased to see the furniture replaced, looking clean and comfortable. Two Wylam beers, a Durham and Consett Brewery beers available. However, our party of four never got to taste any of these as the bar maid seemed far more interested in the conversation on her mobile; she went deliberately out of her way not to serve us. Left in disgust. Now that the decore has changed it only remains to change the staff!!
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Change of management and re-fit rumoured soon.
Well overdue, it was only the stale beer that was holding the carpet together!
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Found the beer range a bit disappointing mainly bigger brewery brands. Also opening times not clear or posted any where outside pub. Not sure it is worth the walk up the hill!
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Traditional, mulit-roomed boozer at the top of the hill that generally attracts a more mature crowd rather than students. Just opposite the Angel, and nothing like it! Some nice interior fittings and interesting bric-a-brac inside, as well as real ales in good condition. Sky sports available on the TV. Worth the climb up from town,
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