The Ancient Unicorn

Note the Ancient Uncorn is CLOSED since Nov 2025 DO NOT BOOK - they will take your money online via booking.com etc

Location suited us breaking the journey from Aberdeen to Norwich.

For the price , the set up was fair.

Love the character of the old coaching house.

Nothing

Lovely breakfast in nice surroundings.

Very steep stairs to the room.

Stables conversion room

Bar felt tired

Mooi authentiek pand

Prijs/kwaliteitverhouding niet goed. Kamer met gedeelde badkamer, slechte wifi, klemmende deur - daar mag je geen 110 pond voor vragen

Friendliness of staff, great breakfast

My room was up 4 flights of stairs - but the shared bathroom was 2 flights down - awkward in the night but not insurmountable!

Nothing

Property empty. Took my money. Did no inform myself or booking.com

Everything

Blind didnt block the light.

Very comfortable room. The vegetable soup on Saturday night was delicious. Breakfast was included in the overnight price and the full English Sunday morning was brilliant.

Room was rather too warm but we turned the radiator down. A little disappointed they weren't doing sandwiches on Saturday night. Cobbles in the pub yard could be dangerous for the elderly and disabled.

The location was nice. The staff were very friendly and helpful. The room in the courtyard was very warm, cosy, and quiet. We were lucky enough to be there on the night they had a firework display, which was excellent. The bar was busy, and with a nice atmosphere from both guests and locals. The breakfast was top-notch with a good choice of continental and cooked. Highly recommended.

Everything about it was amazing and the manger was very friendly and such a top lass

Having to leave early for football

Very friendly and accommodating staff, the room was also cosy and private. I was travelling alone and felt very welcome in the pub to kill a few hours before getting some sleep. I saw complaints that room 8 was too my small but it was bigger than I expected. Shower was great and the bee was clean and comfy. Also plenty of free parking about. They gave a vegetarian option for breakfast which was nice, the best part was that it all felt very genuine, friendly and cosy which is what you really want after a long drive. Didn't see any ghosts!

Stayed here as it was close to a family event. It's easy to find friendly staff and a nice room.

Key pad numbered entry so didn't have to sign in it out, straight into our room.

The room was decorated beautifully. We went for dinner in the pub and that was lovely

Food Staff and location.

Nothing

Staff were great. Really helpful and friendly. Lovely food. Although there was nothing veggie on the menu, you only had to ask and there was a great selection. Fantastic breakfast. Location is great.

Place needs a little tlc, but it didn't detract from our stay. Bathroom was a good sized but there is nowhere to put anything. Could do with some shelves.

Everything was perfect super friendly staff lovely and clean all you need for a short stay - and lots to choose from the breakfast menu definitely would stay again if we are in this location

Everything was perfect

Hotel was near where I was visiting. We were staying the night of a local pool competition at the hotel and saw some impressive play. Staff made a real effort to help and make stay pleasant

We did have trouble with wifi in the room - but OK in the public space

If you have a furry friend this place is so dog friendly. Unfortunately my dog passed away before our trip, but it would have been ideal for her

Lovely place

Staff very friendly. Gluten free options available. Food and beers!

Nothing

It’s just a lovely place

No heating or hot water

Staff, cleanliness, location

No common areas to relax, TV being on constantly in bar/restaurant

Friendly staff lovely room

Great place always worth a stop over

I had a great bath and perfect sleep. Food was okay. we had breakfast and there was plenty of it. Good safe parking and friendly bar staff.

Texted to book restraunt for the eveneing as suggested when booking in but bno reply so we ate out which was fine.

We found our hosts to be very relaxed and very friendly. Our room was excellent value for money, clean and had all that we required, We were well looked after. Breakfast and dinner were well prepared and presented. This stay lived up to our expectations of great little village hospitality. Thanks to Norma and her crew. Lyn and Barry from Australia.

The property is in a very rural area and very old. Our room was comfortable and well equipped. Our booking included breakfast, the choice was extensive and you could choose a time to eat between 8 and 10 am

We were surprised that the village of Bowes had no facilities other than a primary school and, on speaking to staff, established that there was just one bus a day. We coped well as we travelled by car but not ideal for everyone. We also struggled with the heating as it was quite cold during our stay.

Bedroom was fine

Lack of communication. I texted the phone number given with a query prior to the stay and got no response. Breakfast was included but no one was there. I had to phone the emergency number and leave a message. The chef had not been informed that we were staying and had to be contacted. He explained that he had arrived earlier and had assumed there were no guests as he could see no cars and had no information so had gone off to buy some provisions. Also, we stayed on a Tuesday evg. The pub was not open and due to a very bad road accident the road to Barnard Castle was closed. Guests need to be informed and told what the options are. We had walked 12 miles and were not happy as we were unable to get anything to eat that evg!

very good breakfast

no onsuite

Great room, well located for hiking the Pennine Way.

Nothing.

Parking and access to room was excellent.

Took our well behaved pup and felt she was tolerated rather than welcomed.

Very clean delicious food

The landlady was exceptional. The food was fab. The location was brilliant. Best night sleep. Highly recommend and we will be back

Nothing to dislike.

Good location for visiting interesting places, spacious, bedroom with lovely views, pub food available in the evening.

Paid for a de-luxe bedroom. Room had not been prepared for my visit, not been dusted and heating had been switched off at the boiler. This wasn't discovered and put right until the evening of day two of my visit.

The rooms themselves are excellent and well appointed. there is ample room to park. This is the only place to stay and eat in Bowes and was stayed in by Wilkie Collins and Charles Dickens.

I stayed in this pub in the 1980s. It was wonderful. How things change. Charles Dickens would probably have characterised the current bar staff and manager as well as the quality of the cooking in his novel Nicholas Nickleby. Bowes is the setting for his Dotheboys hall. The food is not cooked well. Saturday night is music night and when we stayed there featured a female singer who screeched her never ending way through various pop songs, She cleared the pub!

Great food and really friendly staff. Bedroom fantastic, second time we have stayed on room1.

Good location,on site parking,attractive restored outbuildings full of character

Good food, friendly staff and clean, comfy, modern room

Nothing

Good value for money. Accommodation great, booking in email recieved before arrival, staff friendly and breakfast v gd.

Poor broadband but that may be due to the area.

Booked through Booking.com. Good value. Had an email before arrival with everything I needed to know. Parking gd. Be carful if on a motorbike due to it being cobbled and sloped in areas.Room (8) was great. Clean with all I needed. Choose here due to the price and location for 3 days exploring on my m/bike. Central location with loads to look at. Staff v friendly & helpful. Cooked b/fast v good and ate in the pub one night. again good. Would come back. Only slight drawback is the WiFi kept dropping out but to be fair it's probably the area.

The hotel was in a very convenient location; the staff were welcoming and pleasant and the room was clean and comfortable.

Although the menu was typically 'pub food', there was no healthy option.

Not a lot really

Fire alarm kept going off Door to room got stuck and we couldn’t get back in with no staff there later to contact and belongings in room whilst we in the hall outside Faeces in toilet and mould in shower Poor value for money Raised concerns through booking.com but hotel just debated and didn’t not resolve any problems

Very friendly establishment. Great service and good dinner menu and breakfast. The cottage could of done with a deep clean as there was loads of spiders and cobwebs. Would definitely stay there again but maybe in the pub next time

.

All aspects of the accommodation, straight in off the car park (courtyard), room size, T.V, kettle, etc. Excellent bathroom. Fantastic breakfast in the morning.

We had trouble with the lock on the door....also, the light switch was located behind the door...if this had been pointed out to us earlier, it would have been easier. Also, one of the wall sockets next to the bed was cracked !!!

Basic attached pub with food available and nice staff. Good breakfast included.

Probably the worst value of all the places we stayed on the Pennine Way. Expensive for a very small room with outside shared bathroom. We didnt have much choice, but I definitley wouldnt stay here as my preferred option. It was a necessity.

Excellent staff. They were very kind and accommodating when sorting out a booking error. The room was spacious and comfortable and clean!

Easy to find, good location just off A66 Friendly staff, nice room, good food and good breakfast

Nothing

Nice clean room, comfy bed. Breakfast was good and the evening meal was very tasty and good value for money.

WiFi signal very patchy, though this is a small village in a fairly remote area to be fair. Better signal in the pub though!

Lovely accommodation, our room was very spacious and comfortable with easy access and a lovely view. Tastefully decorated and a fantastic shower in the bathroom. Staff were very friendly and attentive and the place had a warm, country welcome on arrival and throughout our stay.

There was a slight smell from the drain in the bathroom when we arrived.

Nice clean property, friendly staff

To far away from any towns. Very noisy at night with people using the bathroom next to our room. People above us were very noisy walking on creeky floors all night

The room allocated, very funky.

Uncomfortable bed / restaurant bar area disappointing and poor quality breakfast

We were holidaying in the area and had a few meals in The Ancient Unicorn. The staff and locals were friendly, the drinks were reasonably priced, the menu was varied and also reasonably priced, the food was well cooked and the portion sizes were generous. All in all well worth the slight detour off the A66 if you are looking for a drink and a bite to eat.

Location

Sleeping facilities not comfortable and a staff member unfriendly and very abrupt

It was the perfect place for a stopover. The room was lovely, the food was good, and the service was good too.

Our room was clean and nicely furnished if a little small for two adult males. Food in the bar was very nice as was breakfast, all freshly cooked.

Despite the insistence of the manager I didn’t receive checking in details from either them or Booking. Com, luckily they were a available by phone

The rooms were very good on the whole and had everything you need for a short stay. Clean and comfortable. There was a small shop in reception which mitigated the general lack of facilities in the village. Staff were generally friendly and polite.

The quality of food in the restaurant wasn't good. Breakfast was fine but we had an evening meal which was poor and not inexpensive.. The marguerita pizza was made with cheddar which made it greasy and the steak was overcooked. My son couldn't finish the pizza even after hiking 13 miles to get there. No other options in the village.

Friendly and helpful staff, particularly Jack who went out of his way to find me a fan when he couldn’t locate a key to open my bedroom window after a hot day. Comfortable well set up room and peaceful location. Breakfast very well cooked and good selection of fresh fruit and cereals.

TNT sports advertised but could not find it in my room to watch The Hundred cricket. WiFi did not work in my bedroom that was across the courtyard from the main pub.

Great location for visiting local areas Breakfast lovely All staff very friendly Would definitely stay again

Gus the pub dogo!! The room was lovely and the breakfast was great

Bad dreckig. Dusche lief sehr schlecht ab. Kein Wlan in unserem teuren Zimmer.

Stanza bella, letto comodo, c'era il pub, personale gentile ed accogliente!

Waar deze Inn misschien wat tekortschiet in comfort [krappe kamer, krappe badkamer, erg basic diner/ontbijt], maken de vriendelijkheid, de charme en de locatie dat meer dan goed. Als je voor comfort en luxe gaat, kies dan wat anders. Als je voor charme, authenticiteit en locatie kiest, dan is dit je plek! We zijn trouwens niets tekort gekomen en hebben heerlijk geslapen. Een echte aanrader.

Unique but improvement needed

Door to room did not feel secure

Was an impromptu stay and they accommodated my needs without fuss, they were supportive and welcoming

N/a

Jem of a place friendly and welcoming

Nowt

It was perfect

Meals acceptable, room comfortable and clean. Close proximity to Pennine Way Bowes Loop route

No ensuite - can't remember if this was in our booking.

Good breakfast and very good pub style meals.

Staff very engaging and friendly. Good food and good selection of quality beers.

Nothing to dislike

Most of our stay pleasant, beer good but not much choice.

I haven't had food like it in 40 odd years. Then again, we are very particular about food.

Lovely overnight stay, comfortable accommodation and facilities. Food lovely breast and evening meal. Great parking for motorcycles

The fact it had a bed and place to sleep.

The manager was rude from the initial meeting. Numerous messages and calls made to those in charge requesting wifi but no answer. Requested and was granted a late check out only to be told at 1145am that we had ti leave and the staff who said it would be fine to have a late check out did not have authorisation from management. I dont see how i would know as a guest. The room had alot of dust settled on top of the windows, drawers. The smallest of shower products was provided. Would rather book further away and pay more than stay here again.