Tea Barn in County Durham

Found it expensive for what you got. But nice layout inside.

I felt at home from the first second. Lovely place to have breakfast in good company (I recommend the traditional English one but there are plenty of options depending if you are into savoury or sweet). The waitresses are superstars (thanks to Liudmila, Caroline and Inna).Their smile and positive vibe is contagious 🥰 We had a really enjoyable time. We will definitely come back.

Parking is plenty and is a one way system, so don't try to get to the front out of laziness or you could get stuck during busier times and end up having to go back out and round into the main dual carriage way and roundabout if there is too much traffic. The parking is free and it is a gravel car park . As you enter there is a sign to wait to be seated, but don't wait if there are plenty of seats, as you'll be there forever. I think the sign should be put away during quiet times and brought out in busier times. Once seated it's easy to order, choose what you want from the menu and go to the counter (remember what your table number is). Massive cake/sweet selection at the till area so I suggest having a look there as well for sure! At first glance £4(something) for a Melba is a bit much but then when you see the size of it, it's fair. Delicious too! They have take away boxes as well, yum! The last time I went I tried the hot beef bap and it was really good, no chewy, gristle or fatty bits in the meat at all. Spot on. Time before was the cheese pie which I absolutely loved (my lactose intolerant body however rejected it, but was still worth it and I'll do it again NGL). The majority of the staff are lovely, I've never felt anyone has been rude (even when they seemed to be having a crappy and busy day). Have been a few times now and definitely will go again. Edit: it's also (well behaved) dog friendly.

Came here with a friend. Very good scone and hot chocolate! Fantastic range of cake and pastries.

Not the place to go if your a wheelchair user, not one wheelchair accessible table either inside or outside… very impolite curt staff, which is a shame as the food is amazing, although service is slow

As a vegan (I am also lactose intolerant), this was a poor experience. The only meal on offer was beans on toast, which came with butter and was told there was no margarine (I had already asked for margarine when ordering). I paid £5.60 for dry toast and a small pot of beans, which were not enough to improve the dry toast. My friend complained that my meal had been inedible and was told no refund or discount was available as I had eaten some of it (I had no other option, other than to starve and watch friends eat). I will not go back here as I can not eat there! Shame, as my friends had lovely food.

Lovely little place for food! Can take a while to get in as it is popular and sometimes waiting a while for food to come out but it's always worth it. Love the shop attached! Cakes are huge and so tasty. Recommend a sausage roll and a peach melba!

Met some friends there yesterday. I had a cheese scone which was hard, dry and clearly overbaked. I told the young lady clearing the table (after we asked her to do so) and she said she'd "let them know" !! No one came to apologise or offer anything to replace the scone which it charges at an exorbitant price. Not sure I'll be returning 😢

Good place for lunch. Had a big problem with sented candles. I have asthma and anyone who has it would suffer.

Waited far too long for food after ordering( approx 30 mins). I had a toasted sandwich and the toast was soft. Don't think I will be coming Back to this venue.

GREAT as usual just a long time to wait due to staff shortage but does not put us off.

Very average. Cakes are huge but of poor quality. I’d rather have a small, high quality cake. Quiche bland and undercooked. Zero finesse but people seem to like it!

Called in for cake and a cuppa. Both were very nice

Disappointed, was expensive for what I had. Don't agree with having to pay £1 for a pot of hot water to go with a pot of tea, the vast majority of places it is complementary. I had scrambled eggs which were watery and hard. Lady taking orders seemed stressed and wrong order taken. Not sure I would return to the Tea Barn but love the Nursery?

We visit today & the attitude on the staff was shocking before we even sat down. We choose our food plenty of selection on the menu & board apparently but that’s not the case. Everything I went to order they didn’t have & that seemed to be the same story for most people. It got to the point where I said we would just leave it & someone behind the counter( easily the 4 person to serve me) asked why, I said because you don’t have anything and haven’t updated any boards!! She then offered us sandwiches. We left straightaway. On the way out, the rude older waitress with the glasses then walked out & made a point of not holding the door for us on the way out considering my 10 yr old daughter was following her. Wouldn’t return, came highly recommended, a huge let down

Ordered breakfast for me and husband - drinks came first and were finished before my toasted cheese scone arrived. My 2 sausages came 15 minutes later when I asked for my scone to be reheated as it was now cold. Husbands full English came even later so I was finished eating. His beans were extremely ‘tangy’ and the black pudding was very sweet. Sausages were all black, hard on the outside and dry inside - clearly reheated. Really not a good experience! They did however refund the full English but were unconcerned when we commented we would have preferred to eat together having ordered at the same time

Lovely cafe set in a Garden Centre.There is also a small bakery shop near the exit/enter doorway. 2 of us ate a hot sandwich with Tea & Coffee.

Warm and pleasing the eye on arrival. Lady cleaning tables found it difficult to crack a smile when we said hello. Food arrived promptly with a friendly waitress. Fruit scone ok but the cream that came with it was off. This was rectified by an apologetic manger (I think) and refunded. Gone off cream is not acceptable, can't understand why it hadn't been checked before customers arrived. On leaving it was chaotic and dangerous with a delivery lorry manoeuvring. Definately will not return or recommend. Such a shame as I had heard good things about the place.

Fruit scones are the most delicious I have ever tasted.

This used to be my favourite place. Now it has a shop in the cafe which takes up part of the cafe and blocks the windows, so it's dark and cramped. The shop's not properly blocked off so there's a draft when the door opens. Poor selection of cakes and if you don't like fresh cream there's not much else. Shame.

Hot drinks are a ridiculous price. 3 pound fifty for a tea plus an additional 1 pound if you want additional hot water. How can they justify this charge.

Outstanding staff and lovely food... WONDERFUL PLACE

Lovely place for coffee or hot food. Plenty of people in. Very busy even on a Monday. Lovely log burners on .

Very busy which was good. Food and service was first class.

We go to teabarn most Saturdays,Saturday 2nd of December was told there would be a delay received cups of tea after 10 minutes received food. 50 minutes later by this time tea was cold asked for a pot of hot water was told it would cost £1 for hot water,which I think is disgusting when I've just spent £32 on food,had a baked potatoe it was cold won't be returning for a while.

No longer allow dogs for some reason , wasted a journey

Cozy and lively atmosphere. Highly recommended

Free on site parking. Outdoor seating area for when the sun is shining! Choice of food and drinks. Helpful staff and good atmosphere.

Lovely cozy cafe with amazing cakes and food

The best scone I have ever had.

In winter people come here to sit at the fire and meet friends. In summer there is outside seating under tents. You feel cosy and closer to nature in this typical garden centre tea shop! The atmosphere is fantastic and the service is very friendly. Order at the till, you would need to know your table number, and the food will be brought to the table to you. There are stylish glass dividers between the tables, so if anyone coughs it stays with them. There is one spaceous hall and two smaller ones, all very cosy with typical English garden nursery charms. The food is of a good quality, but also it isn't a restourant. Cakes are very sugary (personally I try to withdraw). There is a very good choice, but those that pretend to be continental aren't really. The tea is good but I would like to see more choice for a place of that name. Certainly needs more than just the tea bags! You better make sure you say you need your quiche warm, it isn't nice cold, and I had to ask to warm it again once. Saying all that I mean there is space for improvement, but this place is still very much worth a visit. The fireplaces are modern logburners with glass doors, of modest sturdy look, but very efficient, plus added funs despersing heat. So, add some scout points for that. About 4 of them are certainly a good feature of this place. The toilets are at the left from the till. I think the Pity Me Nursery is a separate business, but since The Tea Barn is just there, you have a good chance to also browse and buy the plants at the nursery. The plants are not of as good quality as in The Poplar Tree Garden Centre, but then the prices are lower.

I went a few days ago just for a quick bite, we sat outside and told the staff there wasn’t a table number outside. She said they just do take outs for outside, that was fine! But with 4 people infront of me waiting I was a bit hesitant. We all stood in the heat for 45 mins before I got 2 toasties and 2 coffees! They were average, won’t be going back

Well what can I say. There is covid and covid rules and this is covid rules gone mad We can all stand outside in the rain, on a slope, keep in mind I am with my 89 year old mother .Have to go to choose food before you get a table, we like to find a table , sot down, coats off. Then go for food, in doors, where its warm while mother sits.No tables in serving room.Why when we are all sitting together in the other rooms and queuing together outside. Off to Shincliffe I go.

We have often taken my partners mum to this place as she lives nearby but sadly the service and the standard of food has gone steadily downhill. Our latest visit here last weekend left us sure that we won’t be visiting again anytime soon. The waiting staff member was rude and unhelpful together with the awful jacket potatoes we were presented with. The potatoes were clearly over cooked to the point where the potato itself was brown inside. We were served the cakes 1st which were left to sit there for 40minutes whilst we waiting for the awful jacket potatoes to come out. All in all a terrible experience.

This was a list minute trip as we travelled through Durham but we would definitely make the trip especially to come here. The place is beautiful, with fairy lights and a lovely log burner too. We ordered at the counter and the food was brought to us by very friendly staff who were attentive. The food was gorgeous too - I had a prawn mayonnaise sandwich with a very generous helping of prawns. Could not rate this place more, would definitely recommend.

Have used Tea Barn take away service throughout the various lockdowns and have been delighted by the way they have managed to keep their standards high under very difficult circumstances. They have maintained Covid security throughout, including staff always wearing masks, sanitiser provided and one way systems in place.A slightly restricted menu has been available but as always, deliciousStaff are always pleasant and helpful and our regular visits have kept us sane for the last 15 months. A big thank you to them and we can thoroughly recommend

I visited the tea barn after buying plants from the garden centre ordered a coffee and a slice of quiche coffee arrived promptly but after 10 mins food was a no show so went to the counter told it would be with me shortly waited another ten mins and finished my coffee still no food asked a waitress where my food was she said she would check. Another 5 minutes a waiter said it was in its way I expressed my frustration but was just met with an excuse about new staff. All they had to do was put a piece of quiche on a plate! Finally food and a fresh coffee arrived but I was done and asked and was given my money back. So sad as the food looks lovely and the coffee was nice

I had a most unfortunate visit to the tea Barn where we were subjected to disgrace staff attitudes. The staff were off hand and bad mannered. The food was of a poor standard. We both questioned that as we had asked a question that the staff were not happy with did we get food that would not normally be served. Needless to say will not making a return visit or recommending it.

Having had to shield during first lockdown when we ventured out we were very impressed with the changes made in the seating area, sanitiser readily available, staff always wearing masks, one way system etc. Food and coffee is always very nice and staff very helpful and courteousNow using takeaway, food just as good. Will continue to be regular customers

Having previously visited and had a good experience, I was left feeling a little flat with a recent family visit. Having parked, we carefully followed the one-way arrows and then asked an employee if we should continue to follow them or deviate to the cafe entrance. His response was terse. We got a table easily and followed the one-way system where I ordered on behalf of everyone. As we were after 1100hrs there were no poached eggs, or eggs of any sort - this was a surprise. I also found it unnecessary that the lady on the till asked to check my phone, that I’d checked in. Having returned to the table, our food arrived (except mine). Giving it a five minutes, I followed the one-way system and found a staff member who promptly sorted my missing food. I'd say the bacon sandwich and coffee I had was average but then again, mine was rushed as the family had nearly finished ahead of me. It's a great venue and I love the roaring fires. I'm also hugely understanding of the hoops the staff have to go through to make it COVID compliant but I was left feeling a little flat with this experience. I’ll give it the benefit of some doubt and try again as previously I’d have rated it a 4*.

Called in with parents for late lunch, dad was allowed to circumvent one way system due to mobility issues, tables were separated by screens so felt very safe & many tables had been removed to create more space. Lots of hand sanitiser at various points. Condensed menu but still plenty of choice & delicious as always, the coffee was gorgeous. Plenty of tables available both inside & out but the external ones were proving to be more popular, lovely food, nice staff, great experience for my parents who are gradually coming to terms with the new normal.

My wife and I visit Pity Me Garden Centre occasionally to stock up on plants at bargain prices and usually pop into the Tea Barn for a snack - it’s part of the Garden Centre. Quality and quantity have always been very good so we decided to treat ourselves to Sunday lunch. We had quite a wait but it was worth it - there was everything- meat of choice (beef, pork, turkey even vegan sausage), roast and mashed potatoes, turnip, carrots, cauliflower, broccoli, cabbage, sprouts, peas - yes, 9 veggies - Yorkshire pud and lashings of gravy. Everything was nicely cooked and portions were far bigger than massive - neither of us could finish - brilliant!Note to managers - might be less wastage if you reduce quantity and increased sales if you reduced the price

This is a lovely garden nursery cafe, with great choice and good quality food. And should get 4 - 5 stars. However I am gluten intolerant and so ordered the gluten free panini - it arrived complete with salad and salad dressing all on the same plate - when I asked if it was gluten free the waitress went to check - it wasn’t. Not great on any level - I noticed it so was ok, and avoided 3 - 4 days of being ill.

The food is very nice, cakes and pastry very good. Staff attentive and helpful. Not your average garden centre food. There was plenty of seating when we arrived Also lovely plant nursery good prices and quality plants, not over comercialised plants grown and looked after on site.

Love it here! The Homemade food is always amazing. Lovely place with lovely staff! Especially in the cold months lovely to sit with a coffee in front of the fire.

Visited with friends on our journey to a weekend away. This is a fantastic find and will certainly be back with the family. Everyone in the party commented on how lovely this place was and spoke highly on the quality of the food. Very busy place and it is clear why! Next time I will have to try some sweet treats as they looked amazing.

My husband and I visited this charming tea room.it's Not just for tea but does lunches. Good variety and delicious. Sweet treats as well as salads. Dogs welcome which was cute. Everyone was so happy,the staff and the customers. We will be returning.

As we have a large garden we visit Pity Me garden centre quite often for plants at rock bottom prices. The Tea Barn, which is part of the garden centre, offers a limited choice menu but quality and quantity is high and prices very reasonable; for these reasons it is deservingly popular and can get very busy at lunch time but we’ve never failed to get a seat nor wait too long to be served.

Arrived at 4.00pm after looking at the website that said it closed at 5.00pm.6 of us from work. We were told last orders at 4.00pm so we quickly started to order.Coffee machine had been switched off, so no coffee. Girl on till said we had to order for our last guest because they were tidying away.We grabbed a table and had our tea and cake served begrudgingly by the staff.Within minutes they started to stack the chairs onto the tables loudly making us feel very uncomfortable.At 4.35 they were sweeping the floor around our table - we had to cover our tea because of the dust. They couldn't wait to get rid of us so they could clock off.The website shouldn't state that the tea rooms close at 5.00pm!!! They clearly close at 4.00pmWe all felt so uncomfortable - never again!!

We go to the Tea Barn nearly every day with our two old Labs for lunch. The food is always good but today there are two new salads on the menuChicken Cesar with smoked bacon garlic croutons little gem lettuce etcWell I can honestly say the best Cesar Salad ever including some of the finest restaurants in the word. Deep flavour Shavings of Parmesan cheese Unbelievable You guys could teach the other fine restaurants a thing or two. So next salad for me will be the HaloumiSo please Thanks for going the extra mile and such great value

The tea barn here is great fresh food which is cooked to perfection especially for breakfast. It can get quite full so I would recommend getting here early as it is worth it

We had heard the tea barn was worth a visit and every time we have attended it has been extremely busy but attended a few days ago and it was relatively quiet and we managed to get a table. So pleased we did. The food was gorgeous and very quick. The interior is lovely and I can imagine in the winter with the wood burner going it is perfect to sit and have a coffee and cake. Fudge cake slice was huge and worth £3.50! Pot of tea can easier serve 2 people and very reasonable in price. We will definitely be back.

Called on our way to Arniston Centre. All seating areas busy, but found a table that had actually been cleared lots had dirty crockery on. Girl on ordering very quick and pleasant drinks arrived quickly but longer wait for hot food as busy. My scone looked lovely on outside different matter when cut into very dry. Hubby's hot beef bap not very hot and lost taste due to overload of onions. Won't rush back. Was much nicer before huge extension.

I have been here twice now. The service was fast the food was good. My daughter and husband both had cheese ham toasties, hers was overfull with cheese little ham, his was the opposite, a dearth of cheese. My scone was very good. Previously I had a quiche, sadly for me the wrong choice as the caramelised sweet onion was too sweet for my taste and spoil the flavour of the quiche. My daughters hot beef sandwich could nave been better with a little gravy.

I visited this establishment with friends. The food was very mediocre and poorly presented. The floor was dirty and chairs were sticky. I could of had a better time at McDonald’s. Will never visit again

I went into this place hoping for a lovely environment but sadly I was totally wrong first I walked into what I would class as choas no where to sit and even when I did get my seat through the mountains of dogs the table was dirty and I waited ages to be served at the till after this my food turned up cold and I never got a check back so, people I recommend never going here the staff are unfriendly and the place is a mess

The time you have to wait to get your food is ridiculous, I waited 20 minutes in a queue to order my food then another 40 minutes to get my order. There are signs up telling customers that the food is made to order, but the cafe serves sandwiches etc not full meals. I think my time to wait for a lunchtime sandwich was unacceptable

Arrived around 1.30pm to a rather packed cafe. Ordered no problem at all. There was a but of a wait for food, but it was so worth it!

What a place! We visited to source some garden shrubs and took the opportunity to enjoy a full English breakfast.

Met with a friend for coffee and fruit scone, scones looked good with plenty of fruit and 2 butters provided / scone however the tasteless cheap single sachet of soft jelly posing as strawberry jam spoilt the overall scone enjoyment.

Staying at the nearby Premier Inn needed somewhere local for breakfast for a group of eight.

We have called here many times before and enjoyed the food and refreshments in a lovely setting, today the food was once again fantastic ham and egg pie with salad and a pot of tea, Lovely!!!

Have been to the garden centre many times but always after work so missed the tea barn, made a determined effort on Saturday with my parents and so glad I did. Mum & dad appreciate good customer service & it was here in abundance, the hot pork sandwich was very tasty with plenty of meat, as was dad’s ham, cheese & chutney, the lattes were delicious, some of the nicest we’ve ever had.

We went here on a Saturday morning for a late breakfast.

Myself, my husband and my niece popped in today for a nice cup of coffee and cake. Was quick to get served at the till got told to take a seat so we did, waited 30 minutes for our drinks, after another 10 minutes of our cake not arriving I had to go ask about it to see where it was. It was our first visit here and most certainly the last. Staff were walking around not smiling apart from 1 lady. I also went into the garden centre to get a hanging basket and a worker barged past my husband all he had to say was excuse me and he would have moved just thought he was rude I know it's a busy time but manners cost nothing.

Been here so many times! Such a cute little cafe in the garden centre, great for a lunch! Always have a lovely display of cakes, scones and pies. The only problem is it is always really busy and we often struggle to find a table!

Parked easily. Walked in to a warm, pleasant restaurant. Staff quickly took our order. Lovely home made cakes and scones soon arrived with mugs of coffee. Tables are spread around but aren’t too close together. Dogs are welcome too.

met friends for lunch 4 adults and a baby, had a lovely meal absolutely packed,then we bought some plants will be returning quickly I should think, prompt service couldn`t fault anything

I visit with my husband and friends many times over the years. It has got very busy and u have to accept u will have to wait for your food and drink, but food is very good, I like the seating in the extension as the tables r more spread out.

From the roadside it doesn't look like it'll be much. However I now understand why there's always so many cars! Very busy and popular. However staff although looked to be busy, did not appear stressed by it. The tables were all taken and people were waiting at times. Food was all great, and the portions were huge. Cornflake cake was absolutely amazing! Although a slice half the size would have been enough. But they boxed it up for me to take home and enjoy again!

Thought I would give this other try as haven’t been for a few weeks , party off 4 , really don’t know we’re to start . Young girl on till was very polite & cheerful nice smile, couple of the older staff seemed very busy doing all sorts , as 4 dark haired girls were to busy laughing & messing around very loudly, even the young children were looking at them,so we moved to the new area which I must say is beautifully done out . Drinks came about 20 minuets later & cheese scone if that’s what you call it !!! More like a big flat cheese sponge very stodgy in middle definitely not cooked disgusting, another 25 minuets late before the rest off the food came that was after I asked one of the older lady’s to check up on it , the lady that brought the food very apologetic for the wait & clearly felt embarrassed as I was not happy 45 minuets wait , for 2 hot sandwich’s & 1 cold .the lady came back & offered us fresh drinks or cake , which we did receive cake for our teen children, maybe if all your staff worked as a team it wouldn’t be such a wait , sorry but to much messing around like a youth club , where has that lovely relaxing tea room gone definitely driving people away , sorry I don’t think I will return such a shame used to love this place but the last year & a half has gone down hill...

Extremely busy and very good service. Good food and coffee. Roast lunch and sandwiches between us, all very tasty.

Will never visit here ever again.

Came here for a food with my girlfriend and dog & everything was going well until a rude grumpy looking staff “lady” told us to move our dogs head from off the table, he’s taller than the table it’s physically not possibly unless we sit without a table, she said that loud enough for everyone around us to hear so we felt uncomfortable from that point for her then to say it again but louder 5 minutes later was awful, we felt so uncomfortable and unwanted. We were gonna get desserts but after being spoken to like that twice from someone who clearly needs to work on her HORRENDOUS customer service skills we decided to leave our food and drinks and leave. We will not be returning in at all. Says dog friendly but heavily advise dog owners to go else where as you get treated like a second class citizen and get horrible service.

ok so ive been a couple of times now and thought it was review time, its part of pityme nursery just off the main road and it always seems to be busy

It is easy to see why the Tea Barn is now such a popular coffee and lunch haunt on the outskirts of Durham. With easy access and ample parking, a warm and enticing atmosphere awaits, with log fires and a delicious array of snacks and light bites.

This place gets really busy around lunchtime so get there early! Food is decent enough, lovely quiche and pies, although the salad that accompanies most food could be a little more interesting. Nice coffee, great selection of cakes and friendly staff.

The Tea Barn has a large selection of quiches and other warm foods. The cheese and chutney one is lovely. There are many cakes and hot and cold drinks from which to choose from after. In the chilly weather there are numerous wood burning stoves to sit next to, and afterward, venture out to see and smell the lovely plants and marvel at the giant cacti! Finally, wonderful and friendly staff are there to bring the food to your table!

Terribly slow service. Cold beans on toast. Won`t be back and wouldn`t recommend. Coffee was hot though (when it arrived).

We love this place because it's local and independent. However, they must improve their service. We waited 30 minutes for two coffees, which arrived after the food, which took 25 minutes to arrive, and they forgot our cutlery! Bacon was overcooked and hard. Come on, folks! Don't let yourselves down!

As a new dog owner I visited the Tea Barn with my 13 week old puppy as they claim to be dog friendly.....but won't be going back with or without my dog !!! I respected the signs saying dogs are not allowed near the tables or cutlery which I totally understand, however what I don't understand is why I wasn't allowed to have my dog (which incidentally is cleaner than several of the clientele) on my knee. so I didn't eat or drink and won't be ever again. In my humble opinion establishments are either dog friendly or not....this one clearly isn't but pretends it is !!

We have visited here before and found both the garden centre and cafe both to be very good.

I visited along with 3 friends and we ordered drinks and food-drinks arrived in reasonable time but we then were left for 45mins and no food-so after speaking to a member of staff-we were told the order had been marked as completed!? We then waited another 15mins or so before food arrived! Very little in way of apologies-then as soon as one person was finished eating, staff member whipped her plate away even though others were still eating! There was a table of 2 near us that also had the same problem! Really not impressed.

I have visited many times and was so disappointed with the food and service on this occasion as we waited approximately 20 minutes for scrambled eggs with toast and a bacon sandwich. The waitress virtually threw down two plates of toast as I shouted after her that this was not my order she processed to ask what we had in fact ordered. The bacon sandwich was quickly bought (charged 75p for one tiny mushroom) the scrambled eggs and toast appeared swimming in butter as three butters were melting on the plate with the heat from the eggs. I returned to the desk with my plate and the waitress appeared at the table enquiring if I in fact wanted fresh eggs. The wait continued and my husband was in fact finished his breakfast when I started. There was no apology given at any stage so my return visit is unlikely.

Clearly a thriving business, the dining area is sizeable with a pleasant atmosphere & decor that isn't quite what I expected from the look of the building viewed from the road or the car park.

Just returned from a trip to the tea barn with our two very small Yorkshire terrier crosses. We have gone there many years and they used to welcome dogs. As their popularity has grown so have the amount of signs about dogs. Understandably they are not allowed on tables or to eat from plates. Their latest rule are all dogs including puppies to stay on floor they must not sit on your knee.Our dogs being yorkie crosses are well behaved but nervous , they do sit quietly on our knee though and feel happier when they can see what is going on and not just a lot of feet. We sat in a corner and my husband had his chair at right angle to the table. Our oldest dog wanted to see what was going on so she jumped on his knee, we were quickly told to put her on the floor by one of the ladies cleaning the tables as it annoyed other customers to see dogs on knees. They are not hotties, labs or alsatians they are toy yorkie crosses. We are annoyed by screeching twisty children but I bet they will not make rules for them!! Yes we have children 4 in fact and 3 grandchildren but we would never expect them to behave the way some do. So dogs are not welcome at the tea barn they are tolerated.....only just ,as can be seen by the multitude of signs. We have gone there as I said for many years but today was our last as their new rule is just one step too far!

Lovely atmosphere, friendly staff, also dog friendly, good choice of food, thoroughly recommend the scones. Very impressed that they had nativity seen over Christmas. very good nursery, healthy plants at reasonable Prices

Called today for coffee and food.

We used to be regulars here and have really noticed how terrible the Tea Barn now is. So bad in fact we got a refund and walked out after our latest and last visit.

We have been visiting the Tea Barn at least once a month since it first opened, so I feel well qualified to supply a review after all this time.

I visited with my father to treat him to lunch. The cafe has an extension on since my last visit so we sat next to the log fire. It is very well decorated and the food was brilliant; very generous portions. I would highly recommend it and the staff are really friendly.

The food was ok but it’s basically a garden shed with expensive food. The food was no better than Greg’s at 5 times the price.

As the name says, a cozy tea barn with lovely wooden style. Not the best coffee but still taste good. A unique experience in Durham and would recommend to give it a visit.

We must visit at least twice a week really lovely place, the staff are great and it’s one of the few places that Offer gluten free cakes and sandwiches etc.

Cosy, comfortable; friendly, helpful, competent staff. Good tea and coffee. Scones a bit heavy but nice. Wonderfully welcoming on the cold wet miserable day we visited - but the same weather meant we had to walk off the road in the mud to get in, and the same on the way back to the car in the dark as we left. The road in isn't wide enough for cars and pedestrians so guess who gets pushed off the road onto the muddy verges. Not good enough when you're helping someone with walking problems. They need proper pavements to accommodate their customers from the car park to the buildings.

Finbar's has a lovely atmosphere. There is a pleasant bar and seating area to chat with friends before a meal, and the staff are very friendly and helpful, but the chief attraction at Finbar's is the food! There is a wide and varied menu, with daily specials and a lunchtime menu offering three courses for £20 (a bargain!). The food is beautifully cooked and presented and is delicious. It is not a standard menu by any means, with unusual dishes and combinations of ingredients which blend harmoniously together. I have eaten at Finbar's on a number of occasions, with different friends, and none of us has ever been disappointed.

Experience was wonderful, took a look around the garden centre then used the restaurant (The Tea Barn) for coffee, and sampled their massive mince pies (available with and without whisky version). Great atmosphere and staff, busy place and large restaurant extended into about four large sections so one can select from piped music, quieter sections, lovely heated log stove, all dog friendly, all buzzing with activity although not oppressively so, easy to park prices reasonable and so far all great as a visit BUT after I left it just got better on the re-visit because stupidly I left my lap top by my seat as I walked out with my visitor and simply forgot it was there. By the time I realised they were closed so I drove 1.5 hours early the next (Saturday) morning hoping it would be there, arrived 15 minutes or so before opening but a helpful man in the garden centre part told me simply to go in anyway and ask, which I did, it was there and when I asked who had handed it in was told that a member of staff had found it. I accept that this was the correct thing to do but in this sometimes depressing world we live in it is always a true pleasure to find that people can be this honest with something that is worth some £400 -I was delighted, asked to speak to the Manager and asked her to pass on my real pleasure at this deed. Having read a few moans from visitors to the place because they arrived after closing and thought it wring that they were told so, I feel the real Tea Barn experience needs to be told so I take my hat off to you all at the Tea Barn for your great customer experience in my case, and your kindness and honesty - World class and thanks.

A real surprise for me , it’s been open for a while but this was my first visit. It is comfortable and warm with a real wood burning fire. Dogs are allowed in and it was lovely to see them all very well behaved. The food on offer was all homemade, deep quiches, jacket potatoes and so much more. The cakes are all homemade too and they change daily, too many to name them. I would recommend this place to anyone , it’s also a garden centre and lots of free parking.

Second visit to this lovely hidden gem about 4wk ago I first had a scone & coffee was very nice light fluffy plenty of cheese & a very nice earl gray , young dark haired who severed me was lovely & polite , & same again when they brought my order, lovely cosy big room with log burners was a delight, just wish the second time was the same a brought a friend this time & I must say I was a little disappointed the dark haired lady who brought our food was wasn’t very polite just put the plates down as she seemed out of breath & just walked away ( slightly untidy in her dressing maybe a longer top would cover up more)not like the other young girls .so I’m taking it she’s new , apart from that the food was lovely & a nice selection of plants ..

I have visited here a few times. The portions of such as pie and cakes are huge, homemade,delights and the barn is pretty and nicely decorated. On this last visit I have to agree with other comments about customer service- I did feel the girl on the till didn't have the most welcoming manner. Not quite rude, but a bit 'yes, yes, get on with it and next person please' type manner. Appreciate it is very busy but doesn't mean staff have to be so blatant at rushing you through the till and making you feel you are an inconvenience,rather than a customer. The wait wasn't too bad for food to arrive at table- 15 or so minutes I'd say. There is a good selection of hot drinks and food. Although dog friendly there isn't loads of space between tables. Your dog is expected to stay down on the floor so bare that in mind if you are taking your furry one.