The Garden House Inn
The Garden House Inn descritpion
Home-cooked food is served in The Garden House Inn’s wooden-beamed, contemporary restaurant and a roaring open-fire features in the bar. Free private parking is provided at this bed and breakfast, which is less than a mile from Durham’s historic city centre, and only a 10-minute walk from the rail station.
The DLI Museum and Durham Art Gallery can also be reached after a 5-minute walk. Scenic strolls can be enjoyed next to the River Wear, which is just a 10-minute walk away. Durham’s cathedral and castle are within 1 mile of The Garden House.
Fish and chips are a popular choice in the restaurant and can be enjoyed in the main restaurant or in the modern conservatory. The bar has free Wi-Fi, and drinks can be enjoyed in the pretty garden seating area.
Each stylish en suite room features a flat-screen TV, tea/coffee making facilities and a hairdryer.
Newcastle city centre can be reached in 15 minutes by train, and the picturesque North Pennines are a 30-minute drive from the building.
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Facilities of The Garden House Inn
Pets ：Pets are not allowed.
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).
General ：Family Rooms | Heating | All Spaces Non-Smoking (public and private) | Designated Smoking Area
Reviews for The Garden House Inn
Review 1：No lights in breakfast area. Breakfast took too long to arrive and was overcooked. Walk back from town was about 1.5 miles up a hill.
Review 2：Friendly welcome on arrival. Helpful when I asked about whether the road over to Alston was open
Review 3：Good food and close enough to town to walk in if you don't mind a bit of a hike
Review 4：We wondered if we got a lower grade room because we didn't book direct - other pictures on line of other rooms looked better. There was no electric shower only a hose from the mixer taps on the bath and parking was at a premium - very limited spaces.
Review 5：On a main road so there was road noise and street light, however I live in the country so was not used to it. Could do with a power shower, then the room would have been perfect
Review 6：Really good bar and restaurant with excellent service. The food was first rate and not overpriced. Room was spacious and immaculate.
Review 7：none
Review 8：it was near all the places we wanted to go near the railway and the town it was our 3 stay and they even rember our last stay there brilliant staff they were brilliant
Review 9：Although not noisy from the pub downstairs we had smokers stood outside the pub under our window talking most of the night as well as people leaving and talking, which meant not a great night's sleep. The roads either side of the hotel were also quite busy. Fine for a night or if you were coming back late.
Review 10：The staff were very friendly and welcoming and although we didn't really go into the pub downstairs it looked cosy and inviting. The room was big, spacious and ideal for a night's stay.
Review 11：Staff were very friendly and helpful. The food was excellent and they even made our children a lovely chocolate milkshake, even though it wasn't on the menu. It's little things like that, that make all the difference. Thank you.
Review 12：bedroom is hold and mismatched shower is one that is attached to the taps so runs hot and cold no wifi continental breakfast only - not made aware lady doing breakfast was not attentive and not check out to ask how my stay was... Nobody stays in the hotel so this feels unsafe
Review 13：Staff at the bar in the evening were fantastic. Really friendly and helpful. The food in the pub in nice too
Review 14：Shower is cold due to hose attached to bath taps and no mixing valve, cold water pressure is too strong for hot water which suppresses the hot. TV needs to be mounted on wall to hide cables from high level. Wifi signal is not strong in bedroom.
Review 15：Location is good with easy access into city and walking distance from station.
Review 16：Would have rated excellent if had served a good cooked breakfast. But great staff , nice room and brilliantusic in the bar - owners choice , not canned.
Review 17：Only downside to the garden house inn was the breakfast. A full English would have been much better than toast,jam & cereals.
Review 18：Friendly barman when we arrived who showed us to our room, room nice & clean ok for the night.
Review 19：The fact that 3 dogs were in the Bar and my wife who is allergic to Dogs could not have a drink so we had a drink in our bedroom
Review 20：The breakfast and comfortable bed and nice room good staff However we were very surprised That you charged us for two nights As we had cancelled our booking a Week beforehand and was told we Would not be charged. We ere told Our can cellation had been accepted And no. Charges would be made We cancelled the date of 9/09/2015
Review 21：The breakfast was very disappointing .No hot food, just a basic cold buffet. We didn't feel that welcome. Barely saw the staff and just felt we'd paid for a room and not a hotel stay. The shower was pointless as it was cold and barely had any pressure. The hotel wasn't in a central location and so we had a bit of a walk into the town. It was an ok stay for one night but wouldn't stay for a longer period.
Review 22：The room was spaciious and comfortable. We slept well in the comfortable bed. The main road close by didn't keep us awake.
Review 23：Traffic noise, hard pillows and the room was dated. The shower was temperamental and it was a bit pricey for what was offered.
Review 24：Convenient for sightseeing in Durham and our meal in the restaurant was good.
Review 25：There could be more of a food selection but food is very good. Also a cooked breakfast would be favourable and the price at The Bridge is £70 including breakfast and it is £85 here with just a continental breakfast and we are tempted to go to The Bridge next time.
Review 26：This is a very friendly pub. We have stopped in 2 different rooms now and it is very clean, the bed linen is excellent.
Review 27：The wifi dropped out on the night I was staying and didn't come back on which impacted on me working. The shower was difficult to regulate, either too hot or too cold. No cooked breakfast on offer. No staff slept in through the night. As a female travelling alone that wasn't reassuring. There was a phone number to ring in case of emergency.
Review 28：The shower dud not work very annoying When we have travelled from Suffolk Door kept jamming Noisy And dogs in the bar three of them It kept me out of the inn as I do not Like dogs
Review 29：Decor of rooms breakfast excellent
Review 30：bathroom not up to modern standard; shower did not work at all - water either cold or hot; WiFi only in public area;
Review 31：friendlinesss of staff; roomsize, location; nice pub; good breakfast
Review 32：Booking . Com didn't inform the hotel of my dietary requirements although I put them onto the request form. The hotel was very apologetic.
Review 33：Good food.
Review 34：Bit disappointed not to have the option of a cooked breakfast, especially after eating the lovely food in the restaurant the night before. Felt it was a little overpriced considering the breakfast and the comparison to hotels in the centre by the river.
Review 35：Great restaurant, fantastic bar snacks. Room was nice, little bit of noise from road but nothing too bad. 10 minute walk from the centre of Durham. Nice breakfast area.
Review 36：No cooked breakfast and a total lack of gluten free alternatives even though i put it on the e mail also waited ages for evening meal then they brought it with bread even though i told them how important it was not to put anything with glutem on the plate.i thought due to this and the lack of a decent breakfast £75 was about 15 to 20 pounds too much for this hotel.
Review 37：Nice and comfortable within easy walking distance
Review 38：shower pitifull, breakfast while other customers squeezing past ours & others table with baggage etc to check out . cold eggs & wouldn't cook fresh, so 2 toast or instant porridge was the only hot items available.
Review 39：cleanliness,location,decor
Review 40：Our room faced quite a busy road (although we were not disturbed at night). The shower was difficult to get to the correct temperature and the bath was chipped - bathroom refurbishment needed. We had expected a cooked breakfast but only a continental breakfast was provided until just as we were about to leave when some boiled eggs were brought out. Overall seemed a bit pricey.
Review 41：Within walking distance of city centre, small car park available
Review 42：Poor restaurant service. Crockery not cleared. Bar staff ignored us. Limited menu. Shame as always had good experience before. We go here all the time.
Review 43：Food was great quality. Rooms lovely.
Review 44：Lovely position away from the noise and business of Durham city but easy walking distance to town, staff were wonderful and really went out of their way to help out (to the extent of moving cars so we could put ours in a spot for the whole weekend - simply wonderful, really lovely extensive continental breakfast, such a comfy room, light and airy, quiet and great pub wiht great food as well! thank you Garden House Inn team!
Review 45：Noisy first night due to extractors/ vents on roof outside our room. However the owner switched everything off for the following night, so promptly corrected !
Review 46：The owner did all he could to ensure our comfort. The room and general furnishings were very nice. The food in the restaurant both for lunch and evening meal were very good, and the staff very friendly. Car park available and walkable into Durham. A great find. We would definetly go back
Review 47：The fact we could only stay for a few days instead of a few weeks. We loved the place.
Review 48：Everything. Adrian the owner, his staff, fantastic food, great room. Fantastic Guinness and wine list.
Review 49：For £95 I would not expect packeted croissants and instant coffee for breakfast especially when there is a coffee machine in the room. Bathroom from the 50s and decor average.
Review 50：Friendly and decent location
Review 51：There was no cooked breakfast. The advert talked about the quality ofthe food, so it should have been clear that breakfast was onlycontinental. Booking.com should differentiate.
Review 52：The staff were very helpful and friendly
Review 53：Wi Fi not working properly which could be inconvenient - not particularly for me.
Review 54：Friendly helpful staff - good breakfast, food excellent when we ate in bar - good selection of beers - relaxed atmosphere
Review 55：Bathroom mixer/shower need attention, or proper pumped shower needs to be fitted as very difficult to get decent shower.
Review 56：Excellent value for money, close to station and city. Helpful and friendly staff and good on site restaurant.
Review 57：Overall good experience. The room and bathroom were clean, but I was put off by a large bloodstain on my sheet even though the sheet was washed.
Review 58：Friendly proprietors
Review 59：Staff friendly, food excellent we had an early evening meal as we had a recital to go to and it and the wine list were very good indeed. Clean comfortable and for the location surprisingly quiet rooms. We will def go back.
Review 60：We liked the size of the place, it's proximity to the train station and delightful walks down into town. We came back for dinner every evening - the food is inventive, fresh, skillfully prepared. The staff are friendly and helpful, making us feel both "at home" and on a delightful adventure!
Review 61：Only stayed 1 night so no negative comments.
Review 62：Staff were very friendly, room lovely and spacious, bed very comfortable. Had dinner in the evening which was lovely.
Review 63：The room needed a little bit of TLC, there were obvious marks on the ceilings and walls where there had been leaks and not repainted, plus the room smelt of the products used to clean the toilet
Review 64：The pub itself was really nice and the room breakfast was served was lovely and bright
Review 65：I would have loved a New Mattress on the bed, as I didn't sleep very well. The shower I had problems with, as it was too hot for me.
Review 66：We actually loved leaving the car at the hotel for the whole three days, and just take the bus, it is a couple of minutes into the City Centre, for us, as we have bus passes, it dosn't cost us anything either. We just loved Durham, as it has retained so much of its History, which is Wonderful. We were told at the Bus Station, that there are at least twelve different bus routes that come past the GARDEN HOUSE INN, both into the City' and Back, it really is a Great spot to stay.
Review 67：Shower was a little temperamental at times and found it hard to park around 5 clock due to bar being busy. Had to pay for parking. Although it was right near and only 30p half hour.
Review 68：Not far from all attractions and great location to city centre. Lovely room which was clean and decorated nice. Nice bathroom too. Nice breakfast and bar and lovely staff.
Review 69：The bed was not comfortable. Mattress had seen better days.
Review 70：Location was great. 10 minute to the train, 15 walk to the heart of Durham. People were warm and friendly. Private entrance to the rooms above the pub.
Review 71：Only 1 grievance, the duvet was totally inadequate for the time of year and location as it only reached to the edge of the bed. We were not cold but felt we could not snuggle down or turn over!
Review 72：Hotel was well positioned only 10 minutes walk from the town centre and with free parking. Restaurant was good and the staff friendly.
Review 73：Patchy Wifi only worked in the pub not in my room. Clean but basic bathroom.
Review 74：Close to town, just a little walk down the hill. Lots of tea/coffee and water in room. Free parking.
Review 75：Limited parking, NO wifi, inability to put food and drink on bill ( I travel on business so need this to claim back ), so took 20 min walk into town for food and drink (their loss).When I asked to check out was asked for key. When I asked for a receipt was told I should have got one at check in; they said would E mail one on and I am still waiting!! Where the bed was comfy I got very little sleep due to road noise and a lack of double glazing.
Review 76：Good sized room clean and comfy, breakfast though only continental was good.
Review 77：Being light sleepers we were disturbed by sirens and people passing during the early hours. The bath towels were of quality.
Review 78：Thomas was friendly and a helpful member of staff who welcome us to the inn and help carry our cases to our room. The room was adequate for our needs and a slight problem with the plumbing was quickly resolved.
Review 79：Noise from the bar keeping us awake at night. It is supposed to close at 11:30pm but on both nights of our stay the music was still pounding away after this time and I had to go downstairs to get them to turn it down. The breakfast was a disappointing cold continental style breakfast despite having a pub kitchen that offers very nice cooked food. I would advise not to pay the extra charge for breakfast and go elsewhere.
Review 80：Clean room and decent facilities, wifi etc. Location good for easy access to city centre.
Review 81：Good location for town. Nice meal in the evening. Good beer. Clean and comfortable room. Friendly staff. Continental breakfast - plenty of choice & as much as you wanted to eat!
Review 82：We were slightly taken aback by the lack of a reception desk, and it took a while to get attention. There was wifi but no assurance that it would work (it did). Breakfast was friendly but basic.
Review 83：The ambience of the bar area is very congenial, a good talking gastropub. Staff were friendly and rooms comfortable.
Review 84：Wifi didn't reach to my room. Served instant coffee at breakfast despite there being a coffee machine in plain view. Sign in room told me to put towels in bath if I wanted them washed; fine if the room actually had a bath. Duvet rather thin.
Review 85：Evening meal was pleasant
Review 86：no cooked breakfast included in price of £95 and paying as soon as we arrived and before we had seen our room
Review 87：comfy clean room and bed plenty of tea coffee and water staff very friendly and ordered our taxi for us
Review 88：Very convenient location. A short walk from the train station, 30 min walk into the city and on a good bus route. Staff were welcoming and efficient. Family room was spacious and comfortable. Meals in the bar were reasonably priced and well presented. Continental breakfast was lovely but would have been nice to have choice of something cooked too.
Review 89：Breakfast was continental, would have liked the choice of a full english.
Review 90：Staff friendly room size great plenty of tea/coffee facilities in the room free parking ten min walk to Durham
Review 91：Only thing was someone coming in at 2 30 in the morning and I think they woke the whole hotel up but that is not a fault of the hotel , I would prefer more choice at breakfast but I would stay again.
Review 92：The room was comfortable I stayed on my own all staff were very pleasant. The restaurant bar area had nice small tables and comfy chairs so I didn't feel bad dining alone. The dinner was very nice service great I had a lovely stay .
Review 93：Breakfast could have been better. Also shower not that great. Wifi did not work in the room.
Review 94：Room was clean and comfortable, just right for the two of us. Walking distance from the station. Nice to have tea/coffee in the room.
Review 95：Freezing cold/scorching hot shower, totally unusable. The central heating could not be turned down together with an open window and road noise resulted in a poor nights sleep. Wi-Fi signal was poor.
Review 96：The location was good, just a 10min to walk into Durham (down a hill). Really nice bar, unfortunately we didn't get chance to eat in it but the food looked great. Staff were helpful and friendly. Breakfast was good.
Review 97：Speakers high on the wall in the bar areas leak bass in to the room during pub hours (only), so a quiet, early night is a little compromised.
Review 98：Super Helpful Staff, Family Room was a great size for a couple. Continental Breakfast was fabulous with a good variety (nice change from the usual boring fry-up).
Review 99：Continental rather than cooked breakfast Room very hot and could only open one window Strong smell of air freshener in the room
Review 100：Friendly staff Within walking distance of city centre Comfortable bed
Review 101：Room was extremely hot,unable to turn radiators down, thermostats didn't work.
Review 102：Staff were excellent especially young chef who showed us to our room.
Review 103：Wifi did not reach to room, and no desk or dressing table to use as a desk as travelling for business reasons generally need use of a desk area.
Review 104：Food good, friendly staff
Review 105：the bathroom was very old. the shower could be hot or cold, no in-between. awful! the bed was hard which i dont mind, although it was 2 mattresses stuck onto 1 bed.
Review 106：looked nice in the pictures. The bar was nice.
Review 107：Had to wait a while for order to be taken for food and for food to be served. Bar area was crowded. For those resident at the Garden Inn, perhaps food should have been served in the conservatory where breakfast was served.
Review 108：Friendly staff, warm welcome by owner, comfortable accommodation.
Review 109：The room was very hot and to cool it down I had to have the windows open so the traffic noise kept me awake. No sign of any management. No staff cover at night-time and a dark entrance to unlock at the back - quite spooky as a lone female. No explanation of the eggs displayed at breakfast - I wasn't sure if they offered poached or boiled.
Review 110：The ambience in the bistro downstairs. It is a gastro-pub and the food was good. The staff were very helpful and friendly. Breakfast was a good continental selection. There was hot toast which was very welcome.
Review 111：The room photos are misleading. The bathroom wasn't very clean andthe bedroom windows do not shut / properly as they are very dated -left the room cold and noisy with the road next to it in the morning.Would have been nice to have a cooked breakfast instead of cold buffet.
Review 112：Bar was nice, food in the restaurant was excellent.
Review 113：Breakfast could be improved upon if there was the option for eggs to be served hot rather than cold and pre-boiled. Would be better if wi-fi code was provided in the room rather than having to ask.
Review 114：Friendly staff, welcoming bistro. Comfortable rooms and good facilities.
Review 115：Bathroom and furnishings have seen better days
Review 116：Staff helpful and friendly. Very clean . Above a bar/restaurant but no noise problem when we stayed. Within walking distance of Durham centre
Review 117：Bathroom needed some TLC and the shower head adapted to reduce spray/ water onto the flooring when the shower door was opened
Review 118：Location, food, bedroom was excellent (No2), bathroom was a good size.
Review 119：Poor wifi in room and various parts of the bar
Review 120：The staff were very welcoming, the room was good and the furnishing of the informal areas of the bar was homely, comfortable and very welcoming. The location in walking distance of the station and opposite County Hall was ideal.
Review 121：everything was just fine no complaints at all
Review 122：We could come and go as we wished without the staff being in your face but they were attentive when needed
Review 123：on arrival we were told that the kitchen were no longer serving food. we checked in at 17.50 and we thought this to be very early to close as we had planned our evening meal to be there. Also the shower did not regulate properly so was either boiling hot or freezing cold. on arrival we noticed the room to be very hot and opened all windows and switched radiators off. one was broken and continued to give off heat at full power. windows were left open all night and outside was very noisy with people chatting at 0100. didnt have a good night sleep
Review 124：good location. good sized room. lovely continental breakfast.
Review 125：No cooked breakfast No central heating for one of our two nights No lounge/residents area apart from bar Small (4'6" width) double bed Confusion on arrival over tariff A restaurant with rooms rather than a hotel
Review 126：Convenient location Clean well presented room Friendly service
Review 127：Wish we could have stayed longer.
Review 128：The Inn is in a good location just on a hill less than a mile north of the city. Easy walking distance but even easier in a taxi for less than £3. Food is very good and well priced. Staff are very helpful and pleasant. Good "country" pub atmosphere. Larger than normal bedrooms. Would stay again.
Review 129：Our bedroom needed a bit of attention as it was a little shabby also for the money we payed we would have expected a cooked breakfast.
Review 130：Overall The Garden House Inn was a lovely place and in a good location.
Review 131：The bedroom was excellent, the access and dining room rather dusty in parts, not surprising with collection of antique We would have liked a more varied breakfast. Perhaps we could have had it if we had asked! (The evening meal was excellent.)
Review 132：Excellent: comfortable and clean. We loved the staff, and the bar; it had a lovely atmosphere. We would love to go back, especially for another dinner.
Review 133：Although close to station and City Centre do be aware that Durham is very hilly! All of our group were disappointed that there was not a cooked breakfast on offer until the winter season which started on 1st October.
Review 134：Warm welcome and staff very friendly. Bus stop just outside the door.
Review 135：Nothing negative
Review 136：Very friendly, comfortable and cosy b&b which I would recommend just above the city of Durham. We drove to town centre as might be a little stroll
Review 137：Nothing
Review 138：The hotel rooms were clean and well presented. 5 minutes from train station and 10 minutes into the town centre. Food was excellent and breakfast was served early for us, as we were running GNR, even brought out bags so we could take fruit with us.
Review 139：The noise from the music in the bar beneath the room. To be fair it did stop at approx. 11.45pm, but I was in my room from 8.30'sh after a long journey and the base noise from the music was rather annoying.
Review 140：The size of the room. Décor Bathroom. Pleasant staff.
Review 141：The noise from the traffic, all quiet after 11pm.
Review 142：Excellent dinner, beautiful slow cooked lamb in port! Friendly, helpful staff. Excellent continental breakfast. Quirky ornaments and décor in room. Really powerful and adjustable shower!