Colpitts Hotel Pub in County Durham

Great no music, love it. Signs up saying no phones, try and stick to it 😅 Good value beers but spirits are expensive.

Mixed reviews to be honest. I understand about this digital detox malarkey but this needs to go. I noticed some people being told to put their phones away but this seemed to only apply to certain people as others I noticed, were on their phones. The staff seemed more at edge telling people to turn their phones off then engaging in conversation (I was sitting at the bar). This gave off a bad atmosphere. I also find it a bit hypocritical as they now accept card payments considering that they would only accept cash. The owners need to realise that mobile phones are a part of modern life now. We live in a tech society. I understand that traditions should be recognised in a modern world but to sit in a pub having staff tell their customers to put their phones away is like teachers telling school kids off!. Makes me wonder, what devices have people used to take photos inside the pub when submitting reviews?. Nice cosy pub spoilt by stubborn rules.

Sadly, Sam Smith's pubs have seriously deteriorated since lockdown. No phones, no pets. Next, you'll not be able to talk! Together with a 50% rise in beer prices, unless you want a souless pub where you now can't take your 4 legged friend, best find an alternative.....

Friendly atmosphere. Very nice pub love the open fire.... Class

Lovely couple always a welcome lovely coal fires hope you liked snowman merry xmas

Top pub. Please stay away. We like it less crowded!

NOTE: NO KIDS ALLOWED. I wasn't going to leave a review after my negative experience today, but I feel it's important to warn the other families living nearby. This is one of the closest pubs to the Neville's Cross area of Durham. (There are thousands of families living at Neville's Cross due to the proximity of two great schools) Our family decided to pop in for a quick drink on the way back from the train station. We had just got settled at a table when the bar lady told us that no children are allowed in the pub, so we had to leave immediately. I think this is a relatively new rule. I didn't spot a "no children" sign outside so it came as a surprise. I found it quote embarrassing to have to march my family straight back out with everyone watching and sneering and the kids asking why they have to leave. There are so many great pubs in Durham. This is the last time I will ever visit the Colpitts though.

Fantastic place to be, lovely coal fires, and atmosphere is great, no phones or music, lovely cosy pub.

Proper local in Durham with a nice sense of community. Sam Smith's pub so don't expect Stella or Guinness, they only serve their own brands... but if you have a preference for Sam Smith's pubs, you know that already.

Colpitts Hotel is a Samuel Smith pub, and it's a "digital detox pub," which means the use of technology is discouraged. And it's easily my favourite pub in Durham. The beer is outstanding—it is Samuel Smith, after all—and the prices can't be beat. The staff is exceptional, and the atmosphere is perfection. This is what a pub should be, and it gets my highest recommendation.

Traditional English pub warm welcome by friendly staff

Used to frequent this pub many years ago, and revisited it last week for a friend's birthday celebration changed a little but not lost its character, great value for money, and very very pleasant staff.

Great atmosphere and cheap beer, a proper pubs pub

Proper Pub, like they used to be.

Nice friendly traditional pub and good beer

This great locals sam smiths pub in Durham is correctly in the CAMRA GOOD BEER GUIDE GREAT AFFORDABLE SAMS ON HAND PUMP THE EXTRA STOUT IS ACE LANDLORD TOP MAN AND A GREAT LOCAL FOLLOWING PLEASE KEEP THIS LOCALS PUB ALIVE

Called in here on a Saturday afternoon, what a find. A relaxed bar with a friendly atmosphere, no blaring tell or TV screensm just a few locals having a chat and cracking fire in the grate. Good chat good beer. Awesome place. 👌

Its ok. No ales. Not a lot of atmosphere

Very nice atmosphere... welcoming & comfortable... Friendly....👍

Lovely open fire , great selection of beers and gin,

Shown as dog friendly but isn’t. Turned away pm 23rd March as we had a small dog with us. Perhaps he didn’t like the cut of my jib. Disappointed to be honest.

Lovely old fashioned pub very friendly

A bit overrated. Lots of lager beers but a shortage of real ale.

Nice pint. Polite staff. Good atmosphere.

Great traditional pub with a great choice of beers.

Great pub serving first class ale. Terrific atmosphere without the need for television or music. My favourite pub by miles.

I rarely get a chance to visit The Colpitts these days, but whenever I do, it's always a cosy and welcoming atmosphere.

Fantastic pub, great atmosphere.

A nice local pub. You can find excellent lager beer at here and have a lovely time with your friends.

Anyone who has any sense when visiting Durham should go here

Great local pub with very friendly manager and manageress who have made a real difference since taking over

Lovely little traditional bar. Staff brilliant

I am returning to Durham after 30 years to visit 3 horseshoes Gilesgate (my pub) and others of The DLVA. Mostly Carol & Tom @ the Colpitts .❤️

Nice friendly pub, cash only and pints tasted great. Pool and darts room. Small area outside to smoke or soak up the sun.

Nice pub, friendly staff and great beer🍺

A friend of mine runs this pub and does an excellent job. The beer and lager are great. Very friendly people who love to have a chat use the pub.

Old world pub. Good beer and fine place to meet for a chat.

Real traditional pub with friendly staff and good beer

Loved this pub, this is what pubs should be.

Wonderful that this classic pub is open again

Coal fire, low cost ale and good company... how can it go wrong??

Excellent ... good atmosphere, good beer, even a good (real) fire ...

Lovely pub, lovely staff and a lovely atmosphere (as long as you bring cash as it is cash only). A good place to play pool or just have a quiet pint with your mates.

Always a great pub and so pleased it's now re-opened. Real fires too! 🔥

Warm friendly and very loud good coal fire.

Lovely oldy worldly pub. Very loud people in the snug.Enjoyed the atmosphere.

The Colpitts is a thoroughly decent boozer let down entirely by Humphrey Smith. It's a shame, but when the staff are clearly terrified of losing their jobs - and indeed homes - with zero notice if they fail to enforce the ludicrous whims of a Yorkshire version of Howard Hughes, you get a certain atmosphere to the place which really doesn't make you want to go back. The staff here, by the way, are great. The beer is well-kept and the pub does - unfortunately - conform to Smith's vision. It would be better in absolutely every respect if Smith was gone.

Too many posh students but a lovely open fire. Very hospitable

Great pub, great atmosphere with great customers . A must visit if I Durham city centre

A quiet Friday afternoon, but a good Sam Smith's bitter. Cash only for payment though!!

Best pint in Durham great service

Great pub, just like a pub should be!!

Fantastic, finally managed our first visit to a Samuel Smith pub, we only had a tenner so had to nip out for more cash as they don't accept cards. Great that there's a no digital devices policy as well. Smashing beer and a lovely atmosphere.

Can’t miss drinking in Pitts more.

Heritage pub wonderful interior. Sam Smith's bitter Excellent condition. Highly Recommended

A truly fab traditional pub ale fab and lovely friendly staff and locals

Great pub with some historical features dating back to 1920s.

Good, not cheap beer. No distractions. Just beers and conversation.

Fantastic. They best pub in the north east, fabulous pint, cheap prices,and good service, and atmosphere? What more could a man want

Best pub in Durham by far good staff and friendly atmosphere

One of our favourite winter pubs very reasonable priced drinks. And of course the open fire love it.

One of Durhams finest little pubs.

Great local and if you haven’t been in since the new management arrived, try it you won’t be disappointed.

It’s a good place to have a chat with a friend, specially next to the fire. The staff is friendly and the place has a cosy distribution of space.

It is one of the oldest pub in Durham.This is small but the fireplace give a nice and cozy atmosphere .You need to bring just cash to pay your pint of good beer that you find there.You will enjoy this!

Classic old school pub. Well kept ale and friendly staff.

Great little pub with cheap drinks (Sam Smith's)

Nicely decorated and warm with low prices as usual for a Samuel Smiths pub. The place maintains a very traditional pub atmosphere (Samuel Smiths are retrofitting traditional fixtures so may not be original). Mobile phones laptops and tablets are prohibited so don't go here if you want to use one. Customer service is OK.

While the beer is cheap, the pub has a harrowing authoritarian feel, much like in Thomas the tank engine. Swearing is forbidden, which many may consider a benefit, but so our smartphones. In the modern world where use our phones to tell our friends where we are and write down quiz answers. Just a Henry being bricked up in Thomas the tank engine was an example of over the top state sponsored authoritarianism, so colpitt's rules are stifling and conducive of a hostile atmosphere. Overall, I'd much rather pay 20p a pint more for a friendly environment.

An amazing traditional pub, no phones allowed and cash only but this helps with the warm welcome and fantastic atmosphere, and of course they serve a great pint right next to a relaxing fire. My favourite pub in Durham plus, it's dog friendly!

Cheap as chips old school boozer with a great range of drinks, open fire and pool table. One of the rare hidden gems of Durham

I have been going to Durham for years now, I like a nice walk round and a pint or two in the bars. I have until last week not been in the Colpitts for some reason. I have been missing out on what is now my favourite bar in Durham. The place has bags of character. When we went in the coal fire was burning in the bar , lovely and another coal fire in the back room, double lovely. The decor is old and is still fresh. The beer is Sam Smiths and you can talk without any interference from internet based things. I look forward to my next visit already. Check it out for yourself I have included photos.

Traditional Sam Smiths pub, excellent.

Friendly local pub on the edge of the city centre. No music, TV or mobile phones, only good craich and good beer.

Cheap high quality beer. Good looking fashionable local crowd and sexy bar staff. Intelligent conversation and hardly any riff raff. What's not to like?

Not s hotel but great beer and even better value

A proper old school pub with log fires, cheap beers and snacks, no music TV or gambling machines. Well worth a trip in order to escape the commercialism of lots of other Durham pubs.

Always a pleasure to call into this pub. Only downside is the traffic outside!

V friendly. Cheap. Good company

This is a fantastic pub. Great value and atmosphere

Good looking punters. Sexy staff. Great beer... What's not to like. Place to be seen.

Pretty cool Sam Smith's pub. Some outside seating which was useful during the miners gala as the place was bursting at the seems

Nice friendly Pub ...nice beer...

Friendly pub welcoming staff and very social what more could you ask

Fantastic place to rest your feet and have a few pints. The pub like all Sam Smith's pubs has a 1940s 50s feel to them.

The samuel smiths beers , lagers and ciders are great however i wonder if this pub has a new landlord. They were not very friendly and did not make us feel welcome, such a shame.Only had one drink as a result. Didnt use to be like this!!

Cracking pint of OB good atmosphere and cheap

A proper old fashioned English pub,fantastic place.

Lovely friendly and very good priced drinks pub, definitely recommend

Wonderful pub, great atmosphere, cheap, high quality drinks, nice locals. Well worth a pint.

Surely one of the best Sam Smith's pubs in the country.

It is what a Sam smiths pub is. Quiet, beers ok and cheap and pubs clean. Better than the other Sam smiths pub in durham

Great little pub on the edge of Durham City. Traditional decor with old wooden floors etc and a cracking open fire. Sam Smiths beer, which is one of my all time favourites. Friendly staff, friendly customers, great surroundings and delicious beer. What more can you ask for?

£2 a pint, and a good one at that! As I went in, I saw the bartender playing chess with one of the patrons, which only added to the homely feeling of this place. I can't recommend it enough, a MUST of a stop for a Durham pub crawl!

No phone rule has been brought in, a bit archaic if you ask me. Appreciate to stop people who play videos and for taking calls, but sat in a corner waiting for a friend looking at a text message is surely not offending anyone? Wont be back!

Very good authentic local with good real ale in comfortable surroundings. A Sam Smith's pub with very good beer at reasonable prices.

Wonderful traditional Sam Smith's pub, serving cheap but good quality beer. No music but great conversation with friendly bar staff and customers.

I used to come here 40 years ago. It's still a Sam Smith's pub. No cards, just cash. No mobile devices, what a great idea. Very tranquil, if you get s call you have to take it outside. Very clean and period finish to the place. Good selection of drinks, coal fire in the bar. Pool room. All round good pub.

A fantastic traditional proper pub.

Warm and cozy which creates a great atmosphere