Shirl's Shakes in County Durham

What a fantastic idea - choosing a chocolate bar to go into a milkshake! Deliciously naughty and on our 'to do' list when ever we visit Barnard Castle. Really friendly staff who explain what you can have, etc..

We visited three times for shakes while we were staying in Barnard Castle. Our children absolutely love the variety of shakes and couldn’t wait to keep going back. However on our last visit there were four teenage girls lounging all over the chairs swearing, shouting and being generally revolting and intimidating. I had to bite my tongue to stop myself from saying anything to them. They weren’t even having a shake or ice cream and we were unable to sit down due to them. I can understand why the young man behind the counter didn’t say anything as these girls were rather intimidating. I appreciate that this is not the fault of ‘Shirl’s shakes’ However it did ruin our last visit there. And had it not been for this experience I would’ve left five stars.

Always go here for a sweet treat, Lots and lots of choices and it always takes me way to long to decide even though i tend to get the same thing each time. all the staff ive met have always been polite. I have seen shirls shakes at events too and they're equally as fabulous!

You know when you go to a Milkshake thing and it’s basically a rubbish Krusha rip off? This isn’t it! We got 9 milkshakes and they were all thick, Ice Cream infused tasty gems! Tons and tons of flavours. I got Wispa flavour which was amazing. I also got to finish my daughter chocolate honey comb - heaven. 👍🏼 from this milkshake addict.

When we visited the shop was quiet and the staff member was polite and friendly but didn't offer any advice about how it worked. There were a huge number of options and it was a bit overwhelming. There were also no prices on display for the shakes. Two of us decided on ice-cream because there was a smaller list of options and the price was clearly stated. Those that had milkshakes enjoyed them though one said the flavour wasn't strong enough and they both said they were gritty. I imagine that just depends on the choice of flavouring and chocolate bars by their nature are going to be gritty when blitzed. Over all they enjoyed them and the ice-cream was nice so it seemed reasonable for the £10ish that we paid. If we were in this area again we would visit to try other flavours.

Excellent milkshakes. Very refreshing in the recent hot spell. We had a oreo and mint aero. Good friendly staff too. Thanks!

I overhead a conversation in a pub about this place, it was not a good conversation but it was more about how the owners behave towards their staff - apparently awful BUT I liked the sound of the shakes so thought I'd give them a try. I love shakes so tried one with a chocolate bar blended in, the server did not look that happy and when I asked if they like shakes and working there the reply was just a look. The shake itself was good enough, I thought it was a bit overpriced for what it was, the place looked clean but don't like hearing people complain about owners so doubt I'll go back.

Called today for a family of 5 milkshakes. Was greater by a older lady who scurried out the back without even a hello to be replaced by a young lad again who didn't speak! Tried to work out the menu and no prices.... now I no why! Price through the roof! Milkshakes really let down, watered down milk is all they tasted off!! Disgusting shakes disgusting price and even worse service!!

It seemed unlikely that a shake with sweets in it was a good idea but I had a skittles milkshake anyway and it was great! Must go back.

Such a nice Cosy shop, lovely Christmas decorations and it's also nice that the staff are even wearing Christmas themed clothing. Lovely atmosphere with lovely staff, cheap for my 2 regular milkshakes that I bought. And also very delicious. I will definitely go again.

After many attempts of passing and it never open (bad timing).... Eventually managed to get to try a shake. The shop will be a sweet tooths version of heaven - so many different flavours. The shake itself was 'ok'. Certainly have had better, but a lovely little shop.

A great place to pick up a milky shake. They do them to order based on any combination of fruit and sweets that you fancy. Always very friendly and helpful. They open late too, which adds to the facilities offered in this lovely market town.

From a childs point of view this shop is 'fantastic' it is glorious fulll of sweets chocolate and friendly and welcoming. But I have serious issues with the amount of calories they are 'drinking' and the fat and sugar contents of the various shakes. I had sent the children in first while I went to the cash point and arrived just in time to pay the bill £24.00 for four drinks ouch! We went into the beautiful Market Cross so we could people watch and they could have their drinks. I was astonished to find my 10 year old nephew had a milkshake that contained 2 Mars Bars in other words 540 cals and 20 grams of FAT the girls had Hot Chocs which contained 2 bars of Dairy Milk and Cream!!!. This is simply not on we have a obesity crisis in this country not to mention the diabetes epidemic. I went back to speak to the server then I thought she is a very nice person probably on min wage doing what she is told to do so didn't speak to her about it. I think the owner of this shop needs to seriously address the fact that if Parents/Caregivers are not there he/she has a duty of care to the children he is making money off not to sell them such unhealthy 'drinks' It is extremely irresponsible and I am surprised anyone would do it!

Shirl's Shakes is definitely a place to visit if you're in Barnard Castle, because there really is nothing quite like it. I've been to other Milk Shake shops throughout the country, but the atmosphere in Shirl's Shakes is so different to all the other's. The size of the shop means that you feel as if you are able to properly converse with the staff, and with the lack of a desk that divides the staff and the customer you can actually talk to the them one on one. The space in the shop is used well to allow for a warm inviting atmosphere, but not too cramped - However, I have found that once there are about 8 people in the shop at once, you do start to feel cramped. The waiting area is lovely, with an array of leaflets for other attractions in Barnard Castle for you to look at, as well as a slideshow that showcases photographs of the annual Barnard Castle meet. This all being said, the prices are very steep for something as simple as a Milkshake, and I purchased a chocolate bar from them that cost me 70p, and it was actually 6 months out of date, and tasted awful - So that is concern if all the chocolate they use is out of date, or if I was just un-lucky. None the less, if you're in Barnard Castle, and don't mind a small hole in your wallet, it's definitely a place to just quickly drop in and say hello.

Hard to get to hundred words for a smoothie bar but they sell great smoothies, ice cream and other things for kids and the staff are pleasant and it is clean with 5 stars like most eateries in Barnard Castle blah blah blah The staff member was going to the dentist so this may suggest you stay off the sweets and take a toothbrush before eating too many of the products have I got to a hundred yet?

Last month I travelled from Bishop Auckland up to Barney castle especially for a milkshake. Before I came I checked the times which stated the shop shut at 10pm. Arriving at the destination at around 8.10pm, when I was just about to come through the door, the person running the shop locked the door, knowing I was wanting to come in, when I knocked she ran out the back and knocked the lights off, which I see as disgraceful. I only wanted a milkshake and making another one wasn't really going to be that much of an inconvenience, for the sake of good customer service.

Este lugar tiene algún tipo de dulce o chocolate bar que te puedas imaginar pero nos pareció £12 por dos batidos era quizás un poco caro. Decir que disfrutamos muchísimo y que sabía todo lo que pensamos que sería y probablemente volvería de nuevo.

Went here with the children as it looked rally tempted with loads of sweets and chocolate bars all over the walls. Trouble is the milkshake are hugely expensive and after they have whisked up a chocolate bar the end result is a watered down milkshake and wasted chocolate bar , simply doesn't working n our opinion. We had four different types and each was very weak on taste, save your money!

How can a place that makes Reese's Pieces Milkshakes be anything but good, but they also will k just about any Chocolate bar into super shake

Shakes are nice enough, probably on par with others I have tried...slightly expensive, but the drink itself was ok..But the service was appalling..it took 30 minutes on a Sunday afternoon from the order and money being taken to the 2 shakes arriving..and they weren't complicated. It wasn't that busy, but the girl serving was so slow...I won't be back..

Hot summers day so wanted a quenching drink. £2 for a strawberry milkshake which tasted like an ok shake, however it took over 30 minutes to get the drunk after my order...

Shirls Shakes is a winner for me! Thick delicious milkshakes of any flavour you can imagine with proper ice cream. I know there are a lot of these style of milkshake bars out there but what sets Shirls apart is the friendliness of staff and the quality of the shakes which is consistently great. The hot chocolates are amazing too!

Best shakes ever. So much choice!!Only regret is that we only got one. Would very much recommend to all. (Not just for kids!)

Wonderful shakes in every so many different varieties my favourite is the crunchier one really thick very moorish defiantly worth popping in even if just to look

This shop is fantastic for ice cream lovers & milkshakes better than McDonald's im a local & myself & my family love Shirls Shakes we would all go everyday but it wouldn't be good our the waistline's highly recommend.

I recently took 20 Girl Guides to Shirl's Shakes as a treat while doing a treasure hunt around Barnard Castle. At the end of term I asked which activity they had enjoyed the most, Shirl's Shakes received the most votes by far! This then resulted in a discussion about the best milkshake, the nominations were varied - mint areo got my vote!

Soo much choice in this store, I emailed to ask if they would cater for my lacto free needs and responded to my email that day, all shakes are delicious and the price is extremely reasonable. Would recommend this shop to anyone. Even getting quote for my wedding! Amazing +++++++Very late opening hours