Seven Stars Inn
Seven Stars Inn descritpion
Dating from 1724, this traditional English country inn is located on the edge of picturesque Shincliffe village, 1.5 miles from Durham and Durham University.
Seven Stars Inn has a restaurant that offers freshly prepared food using the best seasonal, local produce. The traditional bar serves a good selection of real ales and fine wines.
The Inn offers 8 bedrooms with pbs.
Recommand
Low rates——No booking fees • Save money!Best price guarantee — enter dates to see these prices!
30 properties in Durham——Including hotels, apartments, villas and more.
Manage your bookings online——Sign up for a FREE account·View a single booking.
280 independent reviews——We verify all reviews from guests who've stayed at Seven Stars Inn. Find out more about Booking.com Reviews.
The staff speaks English——Seven Stars Inn's staff speaks:English
Booking is safe——When you book with us your details are protected by a secure connection.
Facilities of Seven Stars Inn
Pets ：Pets are not allowed.
Food & Drink ：Restaurant
Internet ：Free!WiFi is available in the hotel rooms and is free of charge.
Parking ：Free!Free public parking is available at a location nearby (reservation is not needed).
General ：Non-smoking Rooms
Reviews for Seven Stars Inn
Review 1：room and fixtures tired and drab, room very cold - stay happened to be 12/12/15 -coldest day of the year -2c. Carpet badly stained and bathroom small and cold.
Review 2：breakfast was acceptable
Review 3：Did not get chance to stay. Tried to book in and was told they have a 12 midnight curfew and would not give me a key, this in my view is not how a hotel works. I was on business and would not have got back to hotel until 2.30 am. Very unsatisfied.
Review 4：nothing
Review 5：Did not like the morning reception/ breakfast waitress. She questioned the price I was charged for my room and said there must be a mistake and she was keeping my credit card details to charge me more money if a mistake had been made by hotel. Then after taking my breakfast order I could here her disgusting the price I had been charged to the chef cooking breakfast. She should learn not to talk about customers when they are seated next to the kitchen door. Because of her attitude if I am on business in that area again I would not use this hotel/ b&b
Review 6：Got a great special deal price for a single room evening staff were very helpful and obliging
Review 7：Tiny bathroom Poor reception for mobile phone and internet (not their fault it was the location)
Review 8：The food was excellent. A good quality freshly cooked breakfast with several choices. A good choice of reasonably priced courses for the evening meal and the ones we had were delicious. The room though small was comfortable and warm. The staff were very friendly and helpful. Location was ok as there were regular buses into the city of Durham taking only 10 minutes, so no need to drive in and find a car park.
Review 9：Thin walls Shortage of lights in toilet / shower (only 1 of 3 working) Tired carpets and decoration. Average dinner.
Review 10：The bar area. The breakfast staff. Only hotel in area able to supply 5 rooms.
Review 11：The staff are so very friendly and helpful and really make you feel welcome. Great real ales in a homely lounge with real fire. We had breakfast, lunch and dinner during our stay. All the food was amazing. this was the second time we have stayed and we will definitely stay again.
Review 12：Very small room, dirty carpets and stains on en-suite door. En-suite not very clean and very small, poor shower.
Review 13：Food was good. Specific veg breakfast. Ideal for Durham city.
Review 14：No food on Monday but offered discount at sister pub 5 min walk very mice
Review 15：Quaint old Inn and quiz on Monday evening just like being at home in small lounge bar very intimate
Review 16：uncomfortable mattress very busy main road outside my window bathroom not very clean
Review 17：location close to city centre friendly helpful staff nice breakfast
Review 18：Taxis are hard to find, bus schedule needs to be understood after several attempts.
Review 19：Good food, friendly staff, nice neighborhood, people in Durham are generally nice you know.
Review 20：No food available despite advertising it. Noisy at night main road room shook when lorries went by. Shower had absolutely no pressure. Noisy toilet like a shredding noise
Review 21：Bed was clean and warm very friendly staff nice breakfast good in recommendation for Rose Inn up the road for dinner
Review 22：The room was OK, cosy, clean and the bed was comfy. The bathroom (in room 1 at least) was very small with a tiny sink. The shower was warm but quite old and feeble! The fact that the sink is so small means you cannot fill the kettle very well. The TV remote did not work, even after the staff came and changed the batteries. Not really major problems but paying £70 per night I expected slightly higher standards.
Review 23：The staff were all very friendly and helpful. Breakfast was lovely. The location is good; in a small village only 5-10 minutes drive/bus ride to Durham city centre.
Review 24：The en suite shower room was old and dated. Adequate for one night but no longer.
Review 25：The staff were friendly and helpful. The salad l had was excellent.
Review 26：We were in room 4. The toilet incorporated an electric shredder which operated when the toilet was flushed. Unfortunately the one in our room had developed a mind of its own and went off without anyone going near at least 6 times during the night. When we complained the next morning we were told "yes we know we are waiting for a part." They still charged us the full amount for a room which,in our opinion, was not fit for occupation. They could not move us as the hotel was fully booked. They did get someone to have a look at it, but our second night was still interupted, but not quite as often.
Review 27：We were there for 2 nights so that we could visit Durham. Hotel was conveniently situated, Parking was on the road but adjacent to the hotel. Their restaurant was good with choice of menu and reasonably priced. Breakfast was included in the price. All in all it satisfied our needs.
Review 28：The bed & pillows were lumpy The remote control for the TV didn't work Very difficult to lock the door The bathroom was skanky especially the shower which had mold on the tiles!! Didn't serve food on Monday nights
Review 29：The location Friendliness of staff Our breakfast
Review 30：Bathroom was very small and the door to the shower cubicle was very narrow. There was also a waste disposal unit fitted to the lavatory that was really noisy.
Review 31：Staff friendly and helpful, especially at breakfast. Breakfast was really good and the service was excellent.
Review 32：Noisy sounds coming from our bathroom, presumably of other toilets flushing in the building. Sometimes it really made me jump!
Review 33：Friendly staff, nothing was too much trouble
Review 34：The room was a little chilly but was a cold night at the start of September.
Review 35：The staff were friendly and the service was excellent. The evening meal was to a high standard at a reasonable cost.
Review 36：Lovely homely feel. Staff all wonderfully friendly. Loads of character in very old Inn. A bit dated in places, but everywhere very clean. Food here is a must, all superb and very reasonably priced
Review 37：The wi-fi didn't work but that wasn't a problem. The only reason I haven't given it a full rating for facilities is because it would give some guests who expect too much, the idea that it had swimming pools and other unrealistic expectations.
Review 38：The staff were most helpful and friendly. The bars and our room were clean and comfortable. Couldn't ask for much more.
Review 39：Noise from the road traffic passing by Poor shower room/very small Noisy masticater behind toilet Room needs freshening up and a good clean Biscuit crumbs in bedside drawer, left by previous occupants
Review 40：Good location Nice food friendly staff
Review 41：Extremely noisy from traffic on both sides. Decor and furnishings very tired
Review 42：Staff very polite and helpful. Food excellent. Reasonably positioned for access to city
Review 43：Carpet well used and stained.TV controller didn't work. Parking may become a problem. Bathroom adequate only.
Review 44：Staff very friendly, approachable and helpful. Very good food served and a casual atmosphere. Handy to Durham and on bus route.
Review 45：Room small. No autochanger, replacement didn't work, wifi didn't work, low level of light in bathroom, mirror light on on the blink, shower weak, shower sealant slightly mouldy, only one bedside light for a double bed.
Review 46：Friendly staff, crisp clean sheets and towels
Review 47：Room (6) had an odd smell upon entering, the shower room needs updating, there is no entry after midnight when the bar closes and the reception was poor on my (4EE) mobile
Review 48：Well kept pub in a nice village, only a couple of miles from the centre of Durham. Attentive staff, good breakfast and quiet. I'd stay here again but £50 is a bit on the high side for what's offered
Review 49：Nothing to dislike, this is exactly what you would hope for in a good pub b&b.
Review 50：We were given a very warm welcome from the staff on arrival, we had also booked a table in the restaurant for dinner. The food was excellent and reasonably priced. Very good real ales available too. Breakfast was also good, Chris, who was running things was very friendly and extremely efficient.No complaints at all.
Review 51：Seven Stars Inn has an amazing calm atmosphere of a country Inn, friendly staff and cosy rooms. In addition to this they serve superb Full English breakfast and free Wi-Fi is always big plus.
Review 52：No remote that worked for TV and lighting in bathroom very dim with no light working for shaving in room No 3.
Review 53：The friendly people and location.nice food and drink.
Review 54：No bad experiences really, if I was being picky it would be the difficulty in getting a mobile phone signal but I accept that happens in a lot of places. Wifi was ok on the laptop.
Review 55：Excellent food and nice walk from the Inn along the river into the City.
Review 56：Our bathroom facilities were abysmal, but our friends bathroom was fine. Stairs were difficult with suitcases.
Review 57：The building is lovely, the décor suits the style,the staff excellent, location good.
Review 58：Rooms overlooking the main road into Durham are very noisy and the bathroom in room 1 needs a bit of TLC
Review 59：Lovely staff and they were very helpful when we discovered we had left behind our laptop. The breakfast was of great quality
Review 60：Tiny bathroom, but that is a minor thing for us-could be a problem for tall people or larger sized ones! The evening meals took a long time to arrive on the second night, but I suspect that might be due to chef who is doing his/her utmost to reach the highest standards, which he/she did indeed.
Review 61：Location in the Conservation village of Shincliffe, we always look for somewhere quiet and in pleasant surroundings, and this old pub fitted the bill well. The room was large with plenty of storage, the staff were friendly and efficient, the bar and restaurant areas were comfortable with a choice of local real ales. The food was excellent and beautifully presented, gourmet food at pub grub prices, well done!
Review 62：Friendly staff, excellent home cooked food, accommodation a little tired but still cosy and comfortable. A lovely village location, a nice walk into Durham.
Review 63：The staff are absolutely delightful. The room was spacious and comfortable. We really enjoyed the breakfast. Not too far to walk into Durham centre. Very good value for money.
Review 64：Shower was a bit old and tired. Like I said it suited my over night stay and it's value as well.
Review 65：Lovely country restaurant - great steak which is a welcome bonus after a long drive and a Guinness. Menu appears to be gastronomic country style !
Review 66：It could do with having maps and info about Durham in the hotel. I would have liked the choice of fruit for breakfast rather than just fruit juice.
Review 67：It was a lovely pub to have a drink in. Easy to find. Only about 1 and 1/2 miles into Durham. Value for money. Helpful staff.
Review 68：The heating in my room did not work, and the staff member who came to investigate did not understand what was wrong with it. He gave me a portable heater to use. The staff member serving breakfast located the problem immediately - in other words, the evening staff member needed more training.
Review 69：The excellence of the breakfast and the member of staff serving it.
Review 70：We just had a bad luck having an arguing couple staying the next room to us who despite the no smoking in this building signs everywhere, decided to smoke and throw a cigarette on my very expensive car which kept burning until I entiquished it myself and no night porter answered the door. Had to report to the staff next day and they said they would fine them.
Review 71：Staff and hotel itself
Review 72：Decor a little tired looking. Could do with a lick of paint in places. But saying that it was very clean!
Review 73：Very friendly and accommodating staff. Relaxing and quiet weekend break
Review 74：This is the worst hotel ever stunk ov chip fat room dirty dusty and cold and when I booked in I was told if I wasn't back by 11:30pm I would b locked out when I booked out I was told I had a Bar bill wich I defenetly did not I payed every Time I went to the bar they still made me pay the £28 bar bill I will never stop hear agen and will b telling every one not to stop there wat a joke
Review 75：Nothing
Review 76：I think the electro shredder in the bathroom is getting louder and could do with quietening down if possible
Review 77：It's just a handy and pleasant place to stay for a couple of nights. Stayed at Seven Stars quite a few times and it's usually our first choice if in this area. Its good if you want a quiet place to stay ..
Review 78：Room was very cold and bed covers rather flimsy considering it was so very cold outside and in. Would have preferred twin beds but no real problems with double other than covers.
Review 79：Staff were friendly and helpful, especially the owner and his wife. Lovely dog too! Cosy bar and excellent breakfast. Delightful setting with easy access to Durham and environs.
Review 80：The room was very clean and comfortable with tea/coffee making facilities. The staff were very friendly and helpful. There was a very easy comfortable atmosphere. We were very impressed with the breakfast which was freshly cooked to order and nothing was too much trouble for the staff. Would not hesitate to stay here again.
Review 81：*Vindictive night staff refusing to let a guest in at 12:20 (the curfew is 12:00). Simply because they were late. After 30 mins outside getting cold they were rescued by another guest, who was told she would be thrown onto the street if she opened the door. Luckily she ignored the staff. Just astonishing. Incredibly dangerous and irresponsible behaviour. Who knows what would have happened if they'd been left outside all night. Hard to believe but true. * Happy to take our money but deeply unhappy to make any sort of compromise to make our stay a mutually beneficial one * Could feel the springs in the bed and snoring through a wall * Not clear that as guests wanting to stay out till past midnight (our event finished at 02:00) we were persona non gratae - until we arrived and then they made it very clear. But also refused to give us a refund so we could go elsewhere. Bizarre.
Review 82：* The owner who served us breakfast - charming and attentive * Quality of breakfast * Amble Parking
Review 83：The room was very hot when we arrived but soon sorted when we turned off the radiator. the toilet is very noisy! not much availability of parking when we arrived. Would have been good to have background music playing in the dinning room for breakfast as it was very quite and could hear conversation from other tables.
Review 84：The inn was close to where my son was and to getting into the city. Pleasant room a little dated but tea and coffee making facilities good. excellent meal in the restaurant. staff very pleasant.
Review 85：Not a place for lovers of good coffee!
Review 86：Food & wine good and not expensive. Staff helpful and friendly Bed comfortable Location quiet apart from girls night out in the restaurant!
Review 87：Is it really necessary for the internet to be kept at a deliberately low bandwidth, so that, according to the agreement form, activity is limited to simple web page browsing only. Why shouldn't I be able to e.g. stream BBC iplayer?
Review 88：Friendly staff, building full of character, excellent food.
Review 89：The bed was not good!!Apart from being uncomfortable it squeaked every time we moved!Boo The shower room was so small- would have been awful if we were fat!! Had to complain about a pillow but that was soon sorted by the delightful Chris. However we had a great stay. Might be good to have some local information in rooms.
Review 90：The staff(especially Chris) were really good. The food was excellent- we had dinner one night and it was lovely. Breakfast was great too. Great having bus stop right outside with regular service into Durham.
Review 91：The room was tired looking and the shower room was tiny and poor standard. A bit of money on a clean new carpet would help and fresh wallpaper and a lick of paint!
Review 92：The bedding and towels were clean and the TV worked well. Meals were lovely and so were the staff.
Review 93：The shower wasn't hot and the shower rail kept slipping down the pole so it made it very difficult to shower. Also the breakfast was quite poor, not enough tea, coffee,toast, or cooked breakfast and not enough choice.
Review 94：Very nice public / bar area and the pizza was excellent. The room was clean.
Review 95：Modest room; small double bed; compact bathroom. Noisy central heating (but it worked!).
Review 96：Eager staff. Excellent restaurant food at a good value. Tea facility in room; breakfast included.
Review 97：The beds were not the most comfortable and rooms 3 and 4 so close together that the slightest noises could be heard through the walls, so 2 from our group had a disturbed night though the rest in rooms 1 2 and 6 had an excellent night's sleep.
Review 98：Staff were very Helpful friendly and welcoming. Food and beer excellent. Both t he evening meal and breakfast were delicious and the chef was generous in passing on one or two of her recipes which we will be trying out.
Review 99：one old lady employee seems to be racial. She didn't let me sit to the choice of my seat. She served burnt toast to me. at the same time one white man got the same seat and was getting more attention which was very unacceptable. I will be visiting Durham in next three years several times as my daughter is a student of Durham University but I'll not stay there in future.
Review 100：Food quality was really good.
Review 101：Food overpriced, asked for a slice of bread and was charged £4 for a small basket of bread with mainly toast in it. Main meals already overpriced and charged extra for chips etc. Rooms cold with heating only coming on for an hour in the evening, stone cold in the mornings.
Review 102：Staff Good
Review 103：The bed was comfortable and the towels were soft. The breakfast was cheerful as were the staff. But Durham is always expensive to stay over!
Review 104：The room was small and the bathroom tiny. We had no side lights and only one bulb worked, in the main light.The outside corridor carpet looked well worn ,and the bannister looked in need of attention. And the drink prices were expensive. And no proper car park just the street.
Review 105：Knackered mattress (although I did tell the staff and they promised to tell management to seek a replacement) Instant coffee... Come on it's 2014! I'm not looking for barista coffee, a cafetierre would have been grand. Very small room.
Review 106：Friendly staff Good beer
Review 107：Cheese can be added into the breakfast menu though :)
Review 108：Food was amazing! Comfort too! Staff is so helpful, caring and smiling! It is obvious that profit comes after the customer satisfaction! It deserves all the applauds! More than 7 stars..
Review 109：We were welcomed by the duty staff and made to feel comfortable with all services available. During our stay I was rather unwell and all of the staff could not have been more helpful and willing to ensure that I had maximum assistance. Most commercial establishments do not reach this level of care today. Well done all at Seven Stars.
Review 110：This was the second time we have stayed at the seven stars. we enjoy the the friendly and relaxed atmosphere.The food is excellent and a good choice on the menu.
Review 111：The owners were rather rude and quite unhelpfulThe WiFi didnt work at all in our room despite being next to the router The bed squeaked when you breathed and dipped markedly in the middle The room was very basic with only small sachets of cheap shampoo and conditioner etc for the slow running electric shower
Review 112：The towels were nice and bigThe young staff were helpful just not the owners The breakfast was good
Review 113：There was nothing I didn't like.
Review 114：We spent the day in the beautiful city of Durham, then drove for five minutes to the Seven Stars. This is a perfect pub. Staff were knowledgeable and friendly. There was a good selection of 'proper' draught beer, including locally brewed. We had dinner too, which was reasonably priced and delicious as was breakfast. Would def recommend.
Review 115：the bar staff seemed more focused on their needs than their guests; 11.00 bar closing, at weekends, even for guests?; the room was dated, the shower very poor
Review 116：location, the manager was extremely friendly, the breakfast
Review 117：The bathroom was on the tiny side though perfectly adequate.
Review 118：Enjoyed a lovely meal in the restaurant on the night we arrived, which was washed down with some very fine ale! The staff were really helpful, nothing was too much trouble.
Review 119：This is a historic building just outside the centre of town - a good and better value option if hotels in the city are full or too expensive. Bus stops outside or use a taxi. Good pub grub. Easy parking behind pub.
Review 120：Bed was quite hard and not very comfortable nor were the pillows very comfortable sorry to say
Review 121：Staff and location were excellent as were the meals which we enjoyed very much and could not be faulted in tase nor presentation.Bus stop also very close.
Review 122：The inn closes its doors around 11pm or midnight at the latest. There could be a separate night entrance at the back locking off the reception area to allow later access.
Review 123：Great stay and excellent breakfast. The room was comfortable and quiet though facing the street. There's a good bus connection into town or easy to reach by foot in about 25-30 min. Nice area to make walks.
Review 124：Dusty room, shower stopped working when I was using it, no batteries in TV remote, servicing of room poor.
Review 125：Nice restaurant, very nice food, menu also quite good.
Review 126：Apart from points made above about possible updating of room I would have no hesitation in revisiting or recommending this hotel.
Review 127：We were visiting the village to attend the daughter of a friends wedding and particularly chose The Seven Stars for its closeness to the reception venue. Staff very friendly. Food excellent. Room adequate but would benefit from some updating. Very clean and would recommend.
Review 128：The free parking, the friendly and helpful staff. The breakfast was very good and we had an evening meaL which was delicious. The location was ideal for Durham and we enjoyed our stay very much.
Review 129：Would have liked room to be larger but that is me nit picking!
Review 130：Very welcoming and helpful staff. Calm and relaxed atmosphere. Meal I had in the restuarant was delicious, hot and cooked to perfection! Ales were excellent and enjoyed in the bar whilst reading in a comfy chair.
Review 131：As said in other reviews, the rooms were nice and pleasant and great value but a bit of mastic in the shower areas wouldn't go amiss! However, this said, made up for generally by the positives of staying here.
Review 132：Very nice country inn with nice bar and eating areas. Breakfast was great and really good value for money. Nice atmosphere in the bar area at night. Staff pleasant and helpful.
Review 133：The 12 o'clock curfew is ridiculous
Review 134：Nice and quaint
Review 135：Really friendly staff and good food
Review 136：Staff were very friendly and attentive and we enjoyed the evening meal and breakfast we had.
Review 137：Small shower room needed repair and refitting.
Review 138：Friendly service, good kitchen.
The Fine Print
The inn is unable to take bookings from guests who want to attend late-night functions that require them to access their bedrooms after midnight. Guests arriving back in the early hours of the morning are not compatible with regular guests who value the inn for its peaceful atmosphere. Last check in time is 10pm.