The Lambton Hounds Inn
The Lambton Hounds Inn descritpion
The Lambton Hounds is a family-run, 250-year-old coaching inn offering 7 comfortable rooms with private bathrooms, cask ales and affordable homemade food.
It is a traditional local pub with a bar taken from the RMS Olympic, sister ship of the Titanic. The atmosphere is friendly and inviting, and you will be warmly welcomed.
Excellent ‘park and ride’ facilities are close by for easy access to historic Durham, which is less than 2 miles away.
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The staff speaks English——The Lambton Hounds Inn's staff speaks:Italian,Spanish,English
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Facilities of The Lambton Hounds Inn
Outdoors ：Grounds
Pets ：Pets are allowed on request. Charges may apply.
Activities ：Pool Table | Darts | Karaoke | Evening Entertainment
Food & Drink ：Restaurant | Bar
Internet ：Free!WiFi is available in public areas and is free of charge.
Parking ：Free!Free private parking is available on site (reservation is not needed).
Services ：Packed Lunches | Meeting/Banquet Facilities | Fax/Photocopying
General ：Non-smoking Rooms | Family Rooms | Heating | All Spaces Non-Smoking (public and private)
Languages Spoken ：Italian | Spanish | English
Reviews for The Lambton Hounds Inn
Review 1：Basic, could do with a well lit mirror on the wall and brighter main light. Stairs are steep and I hit my head on the door hinge that sticks out to stop it slamming and I'm only 5'7"
Review 2：Good value, nice food, chatty locals, Clean room
Review 3：The room was cold as the radiator did not work. It all looked a bit grubby. The shower was cold only -although there was a bath.
Review 4：A friendly and helpful member of staff
Review 5：Nothing. People must realise that this is a 250 yr old Coaching Inn with heaps of character. You would not put a lift in such a building.
Review 6：Excellent food, comfortable and clean rooms. Lovely friendly staff who could not do enough to help make it a good stay. Previous negative reviews were in my opinion ill founded. An excellent base for the N.East. The tapas were amazing.
Review 7：The room was small and very dated. In need of decent refurbishment. The radiator needed bleeding and no heat was coming into the room. We were offered a change of room on the second night but by this time I had bought a hot water bottle and the snow had gone. The full breakfast wasn't as good as previous reviews stated. Sausages were tasteless. I asked for scrambled eggs on toast the second morning and this was very tasty.
Review 8：The room over this pub was clean and the bar staff, not the owners, were friendly, very nice and chatty.
Review 9：everything, 1st place check in timings, not clear when booking... breakfast timings, not clear while booking... I believe booking.com is putting their reputation on line by having such a a tacky places on their list... I have used booking.com in past whenever i traveled and also have suggested friends to see first on booking.com now i would say, look at it last... but i am afraid their will be a day to say do not look at the booking.com; as hotel-ling is a service industry, Your service counts your value.... but the pub unfortunately we selected was awful... full of betel bugs.... when we asked they say, you get spiders in home so whats about the bug..... bed side lights not working..... they were just left their as dummy.... god lord; i was feeling every moment that we were being robbed by staying their....
Review 10：Nothing !!!
Review 11：Where do I start, I showed up to be told they'd given my room to someone else, it was tough luck and not their problem. The staff were extremely rude and the place looked awful
Review 12：There is absolutely nothing to like about this property.
Review 13：Room and furniture dated and could do with modernising, finishings in the bathroom need attention. Bed uncomfortable
Review 14：Fabulous staff, lovely welcome Old fashioned pub atmosphere Good breakfast
Review 15：The double room my mum had did not smell nice at all. Staff did try to rectify the problem but to no avail.
Review 16：Comfortable family room and nice breakfast.
Review 17：The room as a little shabby but was clean and tidy. It was quite noisy. Some sort of machine was making low resonant rumbles that lasted about 3 seconds and happened a few times every minute all night except between 5am and 7am when it was quiet enough to sleep! The shower was very hard to control the temperature of - generally scaldingly hot!
Review 18：The staff were friendly and the breakfast was lovely
Review 19：Shower did not work properly. Could not get in at selected time which was poor as we needed to shower and change for a function
Review 20：Staff and breakfast was good would not recommend to anyone to stay here
Review 21：Room was given away to another family, which meant we were sent away to a hotel 20mins away which had apparently been arranged for us, it hadn't, so had to book that room luckily they had one left. No money was saved just a lot of hassle. Staff didn't seem bothered.
Review 22：There was an extensive menu. As we sought to order, we were told "Only Tapas can be served this evening." However, when we made our order, we were then told that the steak option was not available....! Only poor grade brandy was available for my wife afterwards. Shame
Review 23：The two young women staff; cheerful and tried hard.
Review 24：Single room was quite nice, comfy and clean in a separate building from the main pub. Was quite cosy until the occupants of the room above returned at midnight and every sound could be heard from snores to several toilet visits. Didn't get to sleep again so did not stay for my second night. Breakfast was very good as was my meal on arrival..
Review 25：Location for where I needed to be.
Review 26：The hotel was very dirty, cold and the bar was not stocked with gin or cider, we booked and paid for 2 night but this place was so bad we only stayed one night.
Review 27：breakfast was ok, and the girl who served us was very plesant.
Review 28：Did not know how to get into hotel at night. Spent approx 15 minutes in the dark at 12 mn working it out. Room very basic. Old jam jars for storage of tea ect. Toileteries consisted of a half bottle of soap and shower gel.
Review 29：Lovely warm welcome . Cosy bar. Excellent beer. Nice breakfast
Review 30：The bed was awful, hasn't been replaced in 20 years you could feel the spring coils... very tired and old. The location at Pity Me was not that great, the pressure in the shower was awful...
Review 31：the people where nice, the bar area very cosy and very typically english
Review 32：Didn't realize that we couldn't check-in until the pub opened later in the afternoon. Didn't care for the tapas dinner menu, would have preferred pub grub.
Review 33：A good place for a night. Very authentic atmosphere. The breakfast was very good.
Review 34：1) The friendliness of the staff and the "regulars". 2) The quality of the Tapas food. 3) This is a very interesting and historic building, eg the bar out of the "Olympia", sister ship to the "Titanic". 4) Good real ale. 5) This is a unique experience; it is not 5 star luxury ( we were in the annexe, two doors up) but is so welcoming, friendly, the food such quality that we will find an excuse to return.
Review 35：Shame there wasn't a more varied evening menu for food. The room was very small, and the radiators weren't working, so the night temperature was cold.
Review 36：The hotel was relatively quiet and the breakfast was good. The staff were helpful over our request for an early breakfast.
Review 37：Don't expect much, wifi is only availabe in bar area. Spanish & tapas only for dinner, when they ask you what time you want breakfast make sure you allow 20mins over. If you get dirty crockery, ask if its ok to change it!
Review 38：Local accom while house hunting
Review 39：Little disorganised on arrival but got sorted eventually. Rooms need a good make over
Review 40：Great breakfast and good telephone manner when booking and confirming arrival times
Review 41：Check in staff couldnt find my booking. Evening meal advised ready at1830, was not even available by 1910. Staff unable to identify nearbyeating places. Location was unwelcoming. Other pubs nearby did notprovide food, luckily I had a car to drive to food!!
Review 42：Owner admitted they had charged by twice
Review 43：The room was dirty, the bathroom worse than dirty! Strong smell of smoke on landing (not owners fault though), dusty. The rooms have so much potential... just in need of some money and love.
Review 44：Tapas meal was lovely and worth a visit alone. Breakfast was nice too.
Review 45：Warm, sincere welcome even though I arrived quite late. The room, while admittedly basic, was comfortable and clean with everything I needed. Breakfast was very satisfying. Had a pleasant stay and left feeling refreshed.
Review 46：no food available and no local shops to buy food, dirty room above smokers area, late night fighting outside, uncomfortable beds, all poorly from drinking tap water
Review 47：friendly staff
Review 48：Room overall a little tired. shed load of washing sitting on the landing - not a huge problem but had to negotiate (a little) to get down the stairs.
Review 49：Good location or the purpose of our visit. Breakfast very good.
Review 50：I asked when the heating would come on and they said that there wouldn't be any as it was Summer. Comfort of guests not too important as I had a cold night's sleep.
Review 51：Room could have done with some modernisation - very tired and carpet threadbare. Entrance way didnt smell very nice - quite damp and foostie.
Review 52：Comfortable bed and good shower. Cosy pub next door with very nice staff. Good breakfast to set us off for the day!
Review 53：Shower.
Review 54：Good pub. Was pouring rain and they arranged us to have take-away Chinese delivered as they didn't do meals that night. Shower was tricky and no explanation given. Breakfast very good.
Review 55：They charged my credit card for two rooms instead of one which I reserved (without my consent). They gave us better breakfast as a compensation but they still shouldn't do that without noticing me first.
Review 56：Going to our rooms there was lots and lots off dirty bedding, to me I would have though it's a very big fire hazard. I would have like some places to sit just to relax .
Review 57：Very friendly staff in reception/bar and restaurant. Rooms in separate cottages so pub noise was minimised. Fantastic Spanish restaurant within pub serving very authentic Spanish cuisine
Review 58：Wifi doesn't really work in the rooms. Also, it's pretty far from Durham city center. Someone mistakenly threw out a bag full of clothes from our room because they thought it contained trash, which is weird because clothes were folded, and really they shouldn't throw anything out. But they retrieved them.
Review 59：Staff was nice. Hotel itself is comfortable enough, clean and well maintained.
Review 60：Only a short bus ride from the city centre,full of character(this means it's old)so don't expect all mod cons.Everyone very friendly both staff and locals.Excellent value for money.
Review 61：good position for buses into good position for buses into Durham and Newcastle so didn't have to use the car.
Review 62：It has not been updated since the dark ages and not been cleaned since then either !!!! Cigarette smoke damage is still all over the pub ! It smells of damp n dirt !!!!!!
Review 63：NOTHING!!!!!
Review 64：Only a Tapas (sharing restaurant). No other near enough for a lady on her own. Shower control to high for me to reach.
Review 65：Close to where I was working. Had parking.
Review 66：Room not clean ceiling appeared to be falling down.bathroom dirty. In general a grubby room with cobwebs hanging from lightshade that was so dusty I dare not guess when it was last cleaned
Review 67：Breakfast was good
Review 68：nothing bad , hotel was a bit dated, but that added to its charm.
Review 69：excellent breakfast & nice friendly staff , location was handy for getting about.
Review 70：Breakfast was only adequate, the sausage and bacon and egg were basic and not tasty. The butter and jam were severely rationed.
Review 71：Cleanliness was excellent, staff were very nice indeed. Liked the traditional pub layout and enjoyed our evening in there.
Review 72：Spider in the bathroom, spider in the room, nobody in the inn to pick up the phone or answer questions between 11am and 4pm. Plus, the morning I left I turned on the shower and there was no hot water. I called the reception (the pub downstairs) and they told me to wait until someone comes to check it out. Nobody did. I called again and they finally sent someone upstairs. After fidgeting with the shower for a while the guy asked me to pull a string in the opposite corner of the room. Apparently that string turned the shower "on". I told him they should consider putting a small note next to the string and he started making fun of me for not knowing what an "electric shower" was. Well I don't know what it is, and I've been it tens of hotels around the world. And even if I hadn't he shouldn't have been so rude!
Review 73：The pub downstairs was nice.
Review 74：That the money for the room was taken off my card even though my son had the cash to pay on the day... My card as I understood it was taken just to guarantee the room.
Review 75：Booked this for my son & 2 friends who were going to see The Foo Fighters, at 9 pm I received a call asking when I would be booking in as they closed at 11/11.30, after explaining where they were they made sure contact was made with my son to arrange leaving a key for them to get in!! Put my mind at rest!!
Review 76：Useful location for Durham and Chester le Street. Very clean, possibly in need of some renovation but for an old interesting pub it works. Room had plenty of space. Breakfast was good.
Review 77：Room was very basic, not very aesthetically pleasing and rather dingy. Having booked it a day before the stay I was expecting a better deal than I received. I don't think I'll be staying here again in a hurry.
Review 78：That it was completely separate from the pub.
Review 79：Very unfriendly welcome from young girl behind bar. We asked if they had a map of the area and just got told no with no further information. Luckily a local pointed us in the direction of the town which is not walkable. It does say on booking.com that a park and ride is nearby but we were given no information and after the reaction to the first question we decided not to ask and drove into town instead. This is something we didn't really want to do after a four hour drive to the B and B.
Review 80：For £55 it was good value. Lady at breakfast was very welcoming and breakfast was nice. Bed was comfortable, slept really well. Room facilities were good, shower water nice and hot and good towels. For an overnight stop it was fine.
Review 81：WiFi didn't work and I had enough to deal with so couldn't be bothered to follow it up. No iron like travel lodges have
Review 82：Comfortable beds and price
Review 83：Clean but a little tired round the edges - Room 5 has a slide across bathroom door which didn't! - leaving a 2 inch gap - so only good for folk who really know each other well!!
Review 84：The downstairs public area's are far nice then the bedrooms. As pet owners we once again ate in the lounge (or the bar for our breakfast) - still at least we were able to keep our dog with us.
Review 85：Welcome on arrival was not good. We got the impression the b&b side of things was a real chore for the barman who served all bar customers, even the ones who walked in after us, and those who weren't quite ready to order but their drink was getting low, before seeing to us.
Review 86：We had to book at very short notice and on a budget. Location was good and easy to find. Owner was very friendly
Review 87：Nothing we didn't really like, hall, landing & our bedroom could do with a lick of paint & a little tender loving care.
Review 88：Excellent breatfast, proper locals pub, nice friendly staff & customers. bus stop outside with very good service to Durham. No complaints,
Review 89：Bedroom cramped and in need of a little TLC. Very 70's stlye.
Review 90：Very old property with lots of character. Great evening in Tapas restaurant and playing pool in the bar.
Review 91：I put the food in a plastic bag because I didn't want to be unpolite... but I'll remember for the rest of my life the smell of that chicken. The bathroom was really dirty, in particular the shower: where's the difficulty in cleaning a shower??
Review 92：not a lot
Review 93：Staff were very unattentive, arrived and was shown to our room with no explanation of anything to do with the room or our booking. Had to guess where to leave the keys when we left as nobody was around.
Review 94：Was in a close enough location to the City centre without paying too much in taxis. Was a nice enough room with a clean comfy bed.
Review 95：Plumbing - needs an upgrade Heating - when needed, (spring) should come on from about 5pm; too cold to have a shower or bath otherwise
Review 96：It was in a small village just outside Durham Good, old-fashion, historic inn Very good tapas and breakfast Friendly, relaxed staff Clean, quiet, comfortable bed
Review 97：Rooms were ok but there was a double and a single bed in a room designed for a double so was squashed. Nobody there when checking out so had to just leave a key on a table and i felt this was a bit impersonal. Rooms are dated which i expected for the type of property.
Review 98：good breakfast, clean rooms, bus stop outside and ample parking, staff were friendly
Review 99：Were told pub open until 11am. Came back at 10.30pm, everything locked up. Also didn't like the fact that owners don't live in only guests and were not told about emergency action.
Review 100：Nothing!!
Review 101：There was a band playing on the Friday night but that did not disturb us unduly
Review 102：Breakfast was lovely. Price was good value. Interesting history of the hotel & area
Review 103：Damp smell in the bedroom and shower room big step up into the shower. Decoration furniture and beds need renewing. Not menu or choice at breakfast very basic. Service in dinning room not asked if we wanted any drinks or sweets had to get up and ask, also had to ask for toast. Think she needs some customer service training.
Review 104：Meal in the restaurant was lovely would recommend the steak and meatballs.
Review 105：after checking in and having a drink we found out there was no meal menu as advertised just tapas we were working the next day at 10.30 loud music was played and we complained
Review 106：staff friendly nice rooms
Review 107：just very ordinary. not something i would book for a "weekend away" this was a one night business trip.
Review 108：the location was ok, shops nearby if needed
Review 109：The room was a bit tired looking but very adequate for what we wanted.
Review 110：The locals and staff were extremely friendly. We only stayed for one night when visiting my son at the uni. We stayed on a Tuesday night , the pool table and juke box were free and because we are a family who like playing games it gave us something to do in the evening with my other 2 children. The locals who were in the bar/and staff were very helpful and friendly and made us very welcome. The breakfast was very nice and we felt it was very good value .
Review 111：Cold on arrival but they put heating on for us.
Review 112：Liked how are room was nx door to pub didn't mind if we made noise, didn't have to see the staff to get into the rooms.
Review 113：1.Very poor commununication . On arrival no body offered to show the room or facilities before payment was taken. 2. Shower -fixing was broken; on reporting no action was taken; could have offered a change of room.3. Dinning area did not look clean at all 4. Unfortunately I left my phone charger. I phoned repeatedly to get the charger which I eventually received but very poor customer service.
Review 114：At the time of booking this was the only place accomoodating 3 adults in one room. Description looked ok for our purpose.
Review 115：It's not the Ritz - don't go expecting luxury decor. However the room was clean, the furniture functional and the bed really comfortable. Room was a little chilly in the evenings but then it was January!
Review 116：Both room and bathroom were a good size, shower reasonably powerful and nicely hot. Lovely gentleman making the breakfasts, remembered my preferences on my second stay, in fact all the staff are very friendly and helpful. Apparently the food served in the evenings is very good (recommended by local colleagues) though i didn't try it myself. Would stay here again. If i had wanted to go into town there are regular buses from outside the door.
Review 117：You could hear the music from the pub until closing but it didn't bother us too much and the positives definitely outweighed the negatives.
Review 118：The room was clean, a little basic but comfortable and warm. It was above a lovely pub with a really nice restaurant. We were made to feel very welcome. Breakfast was included in the price of the room and therefore made the stay good value for what we paid.
Review 119：Couldn't get TV to work, but wasn't too bothered
Review 120：Basic facilities but very clean and what we expected for the very reasonable price paid. Superb breakfast, quick and efficient service, I would use it again
Review 121：A little bit tired, vert basic facilities.
Review 122：For the price, a nice-sized, reasonably comfortable room above a lovely old pub. We'd stay here again for a short stopover.
Review 123：was not keen on the Tapas meal in the pub, expensive and not that appealing. This was not part of the deal though, but would be nice to eat at the pub so you don't need to travel
Review 124：we were in the Annex, could come and go as we wanted. We could not hear the pub. The breakfasts were full English and cooked for you when you came down, served in the restaurant of the pub.
Review 125：There was nothing not to like. it didn't pretend to be anything that it wasn't.
Review 126：The staff were very helpful and friendly. It was everything that I expected, namely a stay in a busy pub with the accompanying loud music etc until closing time. Good value for money.
Review 127：- Room was a bit small; functional, but not spacious - Hearing the music from the pub wouldn't have been good had we wanted an early night
Review 128：- Excellent breakfast - Staff were friendly and helpful
Review 129：The room for 4 people needs a new shelf in the bathroom as the one fitted is on a slope so you cant use it as everything slides off it. also it would be good if the bedroom had a mirror in it as well as we had to wait for each other to get ready in the bathroom which wasted valuable drinking time!!!!
Review 130：excellent value for money. the lady that does the breakfasts is very friendly and helpful. not too far from the city centre.
Review 131：Hair dryer situated in hallway but not usable as did not blow. Didn't bother complaining as minor problem.
Review 132：Booked this Inn as it was near the venue where the Durham Folk Club meet. Comfortable room and friendly staff. Very reasonably priced.
Review 133：The accomodation is sarge, if not bleak. Clean enough and beds comfortable but little in facilities and really could do with brightening up and refreshing. Such a shame after the pub itself.
Review 134：The pub itself is great - so good I wish I could transport it home. Restaurant excellent; staff and customers friendly and chatty. A proper pub in all the best ways.
Review 135：Restaurant is not worth using. Although convienient after a 300mile drive, the food was basic and of a low standard despite some awards that suggest otherwise. Rooms are basic - decoration tired. Not up to modern standards
Review 136：Low price for the area.
Review 137：Noisy music from 10pm until 12.45pm. Loud noise on pipes when turning on taps in bathroom and flushing toilet.
Review 138：Excellent evening meal and breakfast. Very pleasant evening meal waitress.
Review 139：We stayed here on a Friday night and it was very lively. Staff were very friendly and customers too. We had our two english bullterriers with us and they were made a fuss of by all. Food was great. I ordered the duck for dinner and it was delicious and a hearty portion. Room was clean and comfortable and only £65 for the two of us with a £10 supplement for the 'dog charge' so £75 which included a lovely big breakfast. The pub itself would be an excellent location shoot as it hasn't been cheaply modernised like other 'traditional' places which tend to lose a bit of character in the process. We had a great stay here and would recommend it as a dog friendly establishment.
The Fine Print
The Lambton Hounds Inn does not accept Maestro cards. If you book using a Maestro card, your booking may be canceled.On some weekends there are live music/events in the bar and you may hear some noise. You can request quieter rooms, subject to availability.