Are the bathrooms in the rooms equipped with en-suite facilities?
15 February 2024
Yes, if a room is booked with a double and private bathroom, it implies an en-suite facility.
45 photos
The Ancient Unicorn, Barnard Castle
131US$
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Key details
About the Hotel
The Street, Bowes,
Barnard Castle,
United Kingdom,
DL12 9HL,
Durham
- Close to Bowes Medieval Castle
Great
8.3
8.7
3.8
4.5
Loved by The Ancient Unicorn Hotel guests
"The pub/hotel has evolved from a traditional coaching inn which has being doing basically the same job for over 400 years."
"Fab stay in the Charles Dickens little cottage at The Ancient Unicorn."
"Cosy,once we shut the door it felt like home."
4-star traditional coaching inn in Bowes, Teesdale
Location
The Ancient Unicorn is situated in the picturesque
Accommodations
The Ancient Unicorn provides a variety of newly refurbished rooms and cottages, including
Dining and Bar
The hotel's
Activities and Exploration
The Ancient Unicorn is a gateway to scenic walks along the
Family-Friendly Options
The variety of room configurations at The Ancient Unicorn includes family-oriented accommodations, such as the
Highlights
Location: Picturesque village of Bowes
Accommodations: Variety of newly refurbished rooms
Dining: Bar with TNT Sports and Sky Sports
Activities: Access to Pennine Way and local history
“This hotel, a coaching inn with a 400-year history, is a notable base for exploring Barnard Castle. While some past guests have reported cleanliness issues, its character and location near attractions like the Bowes Museum are definite advantages. The customizable meal options are a thoughtful touch.”
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Facilities
The Ancient Unicorn Hotel offers amenities for your comfortable stay and unforgettable experiences
General
- Non-smoking property
- Free internet access
- Pets allowed
Guest Parking
- Electric kettle
- Cookware/ Kitchen utensils
Dining
- Restaurant
- Bar/ Lounge area
Room features
- Free Wi-Fi in rooms
- Sitting area
- Tea and coffee facilities
- Dining table
- Ironing facilities
Bathroom
- Free toiletries
Self-catering
- Electric kettle
- Cookware/ Kitchen utensils
Room decor
- Carpeted floor
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The Ancient Unicorn Hotel Location
The Street, Bowes,
Barnard Castle,
United Kingdom,
DL12 9HL,
Durham
Map view
The Street, Bowes,
Barnard Castle,
United Kingdom,
DL12 9HL,
Durham
City landmarks
Farm
Cross Lanes Organic Farm
3.3
mi
Landmark
Barnard Castle
3.8
mi
Museum
The Bowes Museum
4.1
mi
Landmark
Egglestone Abbey
4.3
mi
Church
Saint Mary's Church
3.9
mi
Landmark
The Witham
3.9
mi
Landmark
The Sandra Parker Studio
3.9
mi
Landmark
St Nicholas Church
3.9
mi
Nearby
The St
Bowes Castle
1200 ft
4 Low Road Bowes Barnard Castle
Church of St Giles
400 ft
Restaurants
The Ancient Unicorn Inn Restaurant
300 ft
The Street Bowes
Explore Barnard Castle
Local Highlights
Getting around
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Property information and rules
Check-in
from 15:00-23:59
Check-out
until 10 am
Guest Parking
Private parking is possible on site for free.
Internet
Wireless internet is available in the hotel rooms for free.
Breakfast
At the hotel The Ancient Unicorn guests are invited to a full breakfast served for free.
Children & extra beds
There are no cots provided in a room.
Pets
Pets are allowed on request.
Number of rooms:
16
Reviews and Ratings
Feedback about The Ancient Unicorn Hotel from previous guests about their experience.
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Pros
Comfortable bed
Clean room
Friendly staff
Good breakfast
Convenient location
Cons
Draughty door
Unmanned premises
Noisy bar
Guest reviewsbased on 479 reviews
Hugh from United Kingdom
Single
Small Double Room
3 nights in November 2025
|
Reviewed: January 14, 2026
6/10
easy locationsmall roomodd service
the location was easy enough to find, i guess. i didn't get lost, anyway.
The room was smaller than i anticipated. i nearly tripped over my own suitcase just trying to get to the bed. also, the breakfast service was a bit off. Milk and juice disappeared right at 9:30 a.m., and i had to hunt someone down just to ask where it went.
0 Helpful
ella from united kingdom
Couple
small double room
3 nights in November 2025
|
Reviewed: January 02, 2026
6/10
small roomdisappointing breakfast
I was so annoyed. the room was seriously small. I felt cramped. breakfast was a huge letdown too. i expected more for the price i paid. it seemed like they were skimping, and i left feeling frustrated and definitely still hungry!!!
0 Helpful
Christina from Germany
Family with children
Deluxe Double Room
3 nights in November 2025
|
Reviewed: December 27, 2025
9.3/10
lovely stay with attentive staff
helpful staffgreat foodclean place
The staff proved helpful and friendly. they had a great food choice, and they catered well for my mum's dietary needs. the place felt very clean and tidy, a definite plus. breakfast was very tasty too. I especially liked the full english.
Location
9/10
the hotel offered good parking, conveniently located close to the room door, a definite advantage when bringing luggage. i found the location perfect for my visit to the surrounding areas and nearby attractions. it suited my travel plans well.
Service
10/10
the staff created a very cute atmosphere, proving friendly and efficient. any request i had received prompt attention and resolution, and all team members were really helpful. they seemed committed to ensure a pleasant experience.
Dining
9/10
a steak and ale pie was also on the menu, a traditional dish. the breakfast was very tasty too with multiple choices.
0 Helpful
|
Molly from United States
Single
Standard Twin Room
1 night in November 2025
|
Reviewed: November 29, 2025
6/10
Underwhelming Stay
useful locationdog hairdirty floor
The location proved useful as a stopover during my travels.
The room was not clean. Dog hair covered the floor, a detail I certainly noticed. Clearly, the room requires both maintenance and a thorough cleaning regimen.
0 Helpful
Layla from United Kingdom
Family with children
Standard Twin Room
3 nights in November 2025
|
Reviewed: November 25, 2025
7/10
great locationfriendly staffdelicious breakfastthick cobwebsdust accumulationmould issue
the location was great for exploring i found the staff very friendly the breakfast was delicious and it included various options
i noticed cobwebs in windows there was dust the room wasn't thoroughly cleaned i also noticed mould in some areas of the bathroom
0 Helpful
Justin from Canada
Budget Double Room
3 nights in October 2025
|
Reviewed: November 18, 2025
6/10
Uneven Stay. some issues.
small breakfastunlabeled containers
i got to say, the breakfast really wasn't GOOD. a single sausage, a piece of bacon, one egg. i mean, c'mon. The lack of labeled containers at breakfast made it impossible to know what cereal i was chowing down on too. A GOOD clean would do wonders to the room, there was dust and cobwebs all over.
0 Helpful
Victor from United Kingdom
Single
Standard Twin Room
3 nights in June 2025
|
Reviewed: July 21, 2025
9/10
easy parkinggood shower
I found easy parking right outside the room door. The food at both dinner and breakfast were good and reasonably priced. It was a very clean room. The bathroom had a good shower.
The Wi-Fi signal was somewhat weak at times and would disconnect occasionally.
0 Helpful
Questions of the users
About The Ancient Unicorn
Can I bring my dog with me to dine in the restaurant areas?
23 March 2024
Dogs are welcome in the snug and bar area where meals are served, provided they are kept on a lead.
Are there shopping and dining options nearby?
5 April 2024
The nearest shops and restaurants can be found in Barnard Castle, located approximately 6.4 kilometers away.
Is parking available on-site, and what is the latest time for check-in?
10 May 2024
There is a car park available for guests, and the latest check-in time is 21:30.
What is the pet policy at this accommodation, and is there an additional charge?
12 June 2024
Dogs are permitted at the property with a charge of £10 per dog per night.
Do you offer early check-in options for guests?
28 June 2024
Early check-ins are subject to availability and specific room types may also influence this option.
Is breakfast included in the booking, and what type is provided?
14 July 2024
Breakfast is included in the rate, currently served through a local bistro as the property undergoes refurbishment.
Are there any rooms suitable for guests with mobility limitations?
1 August 2024
Unfortunately, most rooms are not designed for those with disabilities, as the property features steps being an old coaching inn.
Will there be options for dining beyond breakfast during my stay?
18 September 2024
Yes, meals are served outside of breakfast hours every evening from 17:00 on weekdays and throughout the day during weekends.
Is there a means of public transport available to visit Barnard Castle from this location?
22 October 2024
Yes, there is a bus service operating into Barnard Castle nearby, typically running on weekdays at 09:45.Next best alternative
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