A Pub For Every Season
Durham is a fantastic city to live in, with so much to do and see in and around the city. The way I always describe it to friends and families however is; cobbled streets, cafés, and pubs! No matter what the weather Durham has the pub for you – read on for my favourites!
Spring
Elm Tree
This is the place to go for real ale – with a fire in winter and an enclosed terrace for any weather the Elm Tree can’t be beaten on location. One of Durham’s oldest inns, dating back to at least 1600, with a friendly atmosphere attracting a good mix of locals, students and visitors to the city.
The Cartologist
Out of the way, this place is often a haven when town in busy, despite only being a 5-10 min walk along the road. With an excellent beer garden and delicious food, this is a pub for all seasons.
Curious Mr Fox
With a view to die for, this location boasts an excellent kitchen and great booking space for any events. They also host wine and cheese evenings, as well as afternoon teas, and are a dog-friendly venue which makes it a perfect spot for getting in your canine fix.
Tin of Sardines
Smallest pub in Durham anyone? And possibly the UK. An excellent selection of gins, this is not all they do at Tin of Sardines. The fantastic staff will ask a couple of questions and pair you up with a drink to suit for any occasion. With their outside seating, this can’t be beaten for people watching.
Summer
Woodman
Voted the best beer garden in Durham, and winning for three years in a row, since their refurbishment and grand re-opening in 2022 this pub is the perfect place to wile way a sunny afternoon. Showing all the big sporting events, this pub also boasts one of the best quizzes.
Angel
Have a beard and tattoos? This is the pub for you! With live music every Saturday, a jukebox for the other days and a bikers meet up once a month, this pub underwent a fantastic refurbishment just a couple of short years ago, and the garden catches the sun late into the day.
Half Moon
The best place to watch the boats going past along with river, this beer garden catches the sun late into the day. Also showing all the matches, where else would you rather sit out to catch a few rays whilst also cheering your team on?
Head of Steam
Have you ever found a better suntrap than sat on the upstairs terrace outside the head of steam? With a wonderful selection of craft beers this is the perfect place to sit out post-exams and without a care in the world. They also do some great vegan pizzas.
Autumn
The Swan
A staple amongst students and locals alike this pub is great for people watching, or as a stop gap between lectures. Offering the cheapest pint in Durham – it has both ample outside seating for those rare sunny autumn days, and a fireplace for the cooler ones this is a perfect autumn location.
The City
In the heart of historic Durham City Centre, next to the University buildings, this pub with rooms upstairs will become a staple. We love the stamp cards and cheap drinks deals for the long Michaelmas term when budgets are stretched to a maximum.
Market Tavern
In the market place, you might well find the Morgan Douglas staff here on a Friday at 5pm! Famed for being the birthplace of the Durham Miners’ Union, this pub offers a wonderful overview of the indoor market – an unpretentious pub with a wood-burning stove and striped wallpaper, they also offer classic British pub grub.
Old Tom’s
An antique dealer’s dream, this pub also has wonderful outdoor seating with a view over the river and looking up at the castle. Nested in an old Tudor building this cheese boards are the perfect accompaniment for the selection of around 200 gins on offer! Never fear, however, this pub has something for everyone with some lovely wines or beer too.
Winter
Queen Victoria Inn
Just down from the Science Site you will find this cosy pub, with a roaring fire, and full of postgraduates who know the score when it comes to cheap booze and a quiet drink with friends.
Colpitts
Living in the viaduct? No doubt you’ll already know about this little gem of an establishment at the end of Hawthorn Terrace. The perfect place to get cosy on a cold afternoon, this location attracts people from all walks of life and you are always guaranteed an entertaining evening.
Shakespeare
Haunted pub anyone? With wonderful wingback chairs to sit in, this 12th century building has seen a lot of history. It’s always kept warm during the winter months, and we can’t think of anywhere we’d rather get comfortable.
Holy Grale
With a huge selection of craft ales, the quirky decor and eccentric pub quiz will keep you coming back. As it’s not a large venue, ensure you get in early to avoid disappointment for one of their gig nights.
