The Derwent Arms in County Durham

Had a great lunch here, Fishy Friday homecooked fish chips and peas all for a great value price of £9.95. Both had a dessert and a drink. Oh, my two dogs shared fish bites from the doggie menu. Great service from the very friendly staff. Definitely will return to this gem of a Pub.

We visited this amazing place a few times during our visit to Edmundbyers this weekend, we really enjoyed our meals and hospitality . The staff were brilliant, the food was excellent. We also opted for a nice last morning breakfast, which was stunning. We all loved this place and the energy of the landlady, so friendly and attenuative. We are planning to return next year and will most certainly be returning to this establishment. 10/10

The last time we visited the Derwent Arms was when the last owners had just closed the door on history by stopping us calling it The Punch Bowl so it’s a while ago. They had also set out on a journey to pretend the place was something it wasn’t by over charging for very average food that had been prepared by a chef who thought he was better than he actually was. Anyway, fast forward to May 2025 and I am delighted to report that those days are gone, the place appears to be under new ownership or management at least, the food is absolutely great and it all seems to be going really well. After the last debacle, we had decided never to return but it just goes to show, things do change and believe me, we will be going back. The only point to note really is they’ve got the “background” music completely wrong. Too loud, completely inappropriate and lets the place down badly. Get rid of the Bluetooth device that squawks on the bar, use a playlist that’s more suited to a lovely country pub where customers want to relax and enjoy the whole experience rather than a booming eighties mishmash and you with then have completely transformed the place back into something really special. Other than that, a five star review, a very happy family and see you again!

Called for Sundsy lunch. Ordered I beef dinner and 1 lamb. Excellent dinners. Plenty of meat plus a extra jug of gravy. We have been calling here often and have never been disappointed.

Average at best. This place used to have the most incredible Sunday lunches but I wonder if it’s changed hands - as today was not good at all. We’ve just been for Mother’s Day lunch and my lamb was literally like shoe leather both in texture and colour. I don’t think I’ve ever eaten worse lamb. My partner had “The Vegetarian Roast” which although was nearly the same price as the meat option turned up and literally was just the vegetables that we were served with our meat with no main bit to it at all (used to come with vegetarian type but roast). When questioned if they had forgotten the rest of the meal we were told in a very sharp fashion that that’s all there was to it and no mistake???? When I asked the waitress for salt and pepper and then later asked if I could have some mint sauce she very sarcastically asked “anything else you want more”???? Not a pleasant experience at all and I would avoid at all cost. My daughter had the beef which was also grey and tough as old boots. I didn’t want to cause as scene as it was Mother’s Day and was meant to be a treat but it did ruin the day. We didn’t want to risk having the pudding and wasting anymore money so we left after the mains.

A beautiful cosy pub in lovely surroundings. We stayed one night for a wedding nearby. The new owners could not have been more welcoming and friendly. A really reasonable room rate and a delicious cooked breakfast all included. Lovely comfortable bed and tasteful decor. Thank you Sarah and team- highly recommended.

Recently taken over and as a local, this has improved vastly since. We have dined here twice since the new owners and have had a great experience both times. The atmosphere is that of a proper local pub - friendly and accommodating and the service is excellent. Long may it continue.

Me and my family came to the Derwent Arms for Sunday dinner and it was amazing! It has just been taken over by a new couple and they are doing a great job! Very friendly staff, great service and fabulous food! We will definitely be back!

No warm welcome, no friendly hello. “Hello there, we’ve booked a table”, I said. “Wait a minute I’ve only just got in”! Coldest day of the year in winter, no fire lit and dirty hearth. “Might the fire be lit?” “I don’t know - maybe later when we get round to it”. Literally nobody else in, not surprisingly. Used to be busy and such a cosy pub with the friendly welcome you expect from a country pub. “May I see the menu please?” “In a minute.” “Can I order please?” “What do you want?” ”Wait a minute” was snapped at me. One vegetarian meal on the whole menu including starters. Used to be such a nice friendly pub but now part of a chain and ruined by current general manager. Sadly won’t be returning.

We stopped by late Sunday afternoon with our 1 year old child and dog after a walk at the reservoir. We were made to feel very welcome by the staff. Our Sunday dinners were beautiful. Feather blade beef and rump beef dinners with Yorkshire puddings and trimmings. Plus a side of honey mustard pigs in blankets which were delicious. Thank you so much for accommodating our little family. We look forward to returning.

What an absolute gem of a place! Stayed for one night on a Sunday so took the opportunity to have Sunday Lunch... WOW! Best Sunday Lunch I've ever had! Excellent quality and so much of it. They gave me a doggie bag and I had it for my lunch on Monday! The room was large, beautifully appointed and so clean. Staff are all so friendly and welcoming too. Breakfast was amazing too. Will 100% be going back. Highly recommend!

Fantastic little gem in the countryside. Stayed in the apartment for the second time, cosy, clean and quiet with family of four and small dog. Food was lovely and staff very very helpful and welcoming. Will be back.

We had a delightful stay on overnight on our C2C bike ride. Arrived soaking wet and were offered a dryer for our wet clothes. Enjoyed tea and fresh scones in the pub. Wonderful staff and comfortable accommodations.

A group of 4 stayed over night whilst on the leg of C2C. The accommodation and food was exactly what we needed. Great food at a great price, comfy bed and friendly staff who couldn't have been more helpful. To top it off we had a breakfast to die for. In summary a great find not to be missed when in this neck of the woods, could not fault it, thanks to all at the pub.

Found the staff to be very friendly and attentive, good selection of drinks and all seemed fairly priced, food was excellent we opted for the pie and steak, area is beautiful and most folk in the pub seemed very friendly room was cosy and clean and had everything required, breakfast was excellent and this place is very dog friendly, great walks nearby, well done keep up the good work

We visited the Derwent Arms for lunch we were going to sit in the beer garden with the dog but the bar is dog friendly so went inside instead. Nice decor, clean with friendly helpful staff. We had feather blade of beef and handmade burger both meals were excellent and couldn’t fault them. Staff kindly brought some water for the dog. Very enjoyable time would highly recommend based on our experience.

Food was very disappointing, ordered mince and dumplings. It arrived in a soup dish with no additional vegetables or gravy, the dumplings were hard and very dry. Dessert was one soup of sorbet. Definitely one to strike off the list

6 of us booked in for 18.30pm sat 20th July. We all arrived on time. Drinks arrived within 15 min which is acceptable. 5 of us ordered starters. These were served to us after 90 mins of waiting . Not acceptable. Our mains arrived at approximately 20.30. 2.5 hours after we arrived . Our friend who did not order a starter was without food for 2.5 hrs . Not acceptable at all. On querying this we were informed that they were minus 1 chef. Not acceptable due to the 2.5 hrs wait. My wife’s steak was really tough and hard to cut, the chips were like they had been thrown on the plate with the remnants of the chip fryer. My wife questioned if there should be peas etc. The waitress read the menu to my wife and answered “ No “ . She offered to cook some veg which my wife politely declined . The plate was so bland no colour not inviting at all. My belly pork was the worst I have ever been served . Just basically a slop of pure fat that mingled with the mash . One of our friends ordered the chicken burger. This was served between 2 pieces of normal loaf bread ! Of which she had to remove them and attempt rather bravely to try cut into the chicken burger itself. Also I do think that £9.95 is an awful lot to charge for a large glass of Pino. However we travelled through this abyss of awful terrible service & food to try and make our evening as pleasurable as we could. After all we were 6 friends meeting up for what we thought would be a “LOVELY “ evening. Oh plus … we were never asked if we would like a dessert… ahem not that we would have dared to accept. Very very very disappointed with this place . When it first opened it was truly amazing ! We recommended it to everyone we know . Not now . I don’t know what’s happened but we will never ever forget the awful evening we had there on the 20th July .

Great choice of exciting dishes with some nice twists. The Bakewell tart was very light .breakfast Excellent choice of cold and hot food plenty of coffee on tap.

Stopped off here after going for a walk to the Derwent Reservoir, had Sunday lunch and I can honestly say it was the best Sunday lunch I’ve ever had! We had a chocolate brownie to finish and even that was mouthwatering! The pub is clean and a proper country pub! The staff were friendly and had a laugh with us! Bonus points it’s also dog friendly! 10/10

Visit for Sunday Lunch absolutely superb. Lovely fresh veg great yorkie pud, and the beef tasted wonderful. Great staff , great food and lovely location.

Speaking as a spectator of a diner...The lady paid her bill by card and walked away The bar person had to call her back twice.eventually the lady responded.we were waiting to pay our bill....it was obvious there was a problem with the card.after the second attempt she was asked if she would like to insert the card....this worked ...at which the lady verbally abused the bar person accusing her of being rude shouting and letting everyone know her buisness,Quoting(loudly)that the cauliflower cheese was awfulll,,, .NOW THAT WAS RUDE.She was apparently some chairperson in the area..Well done to the professionalism of the staff.