The BEST and WORST Wetherspoons in County Durham according to TripAdvisor

Wetherspoon, which has eleven pubs across County Durham and Darlington, continues to be a popular choice for many.

On TripAdvisor, thousands of people have been sharing their opinions on the highs and lows of their 'Spoons' visit.

A mix of reviews based on food, service, value and atmosphere make for some interesting reading from one of the UKs biggest pub chains. 

Here's the best and worst Wetherspoons across the county - based on percentage of 'excellent' and 'very good' reviews.

For complete fairness we've included both positive and negative reviews for each of the venues listed below.

The Five Quarter, Peterlee

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The Five Quarter gets 4 out of 5 and this is based on 89 reviews - with the majority of reviews falling in the excellent and good categories.

- 73 per cent of customers rated the pub as excellent or very good.

'Very fast service'

One customer said: "What can I say. I've never had a bad meal and the staff are so friendly. Very fast service too. Prices are real good as would expect being what it is. We go here quite a lot whilst out shopping as very handy when hungry. Always hits the spot."

'Lucky if you get 15 beans'

But an unhappy customer left this review: "Have eaten here a number of times now food is barely warm, orders not correct, portions are small. The portion of beans you get on breakfast I think is counted out as per bean now lucky if you get 15 beans. Going to stop going now.

The Hat and Feathers, Seaham

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This Wetherspoon pub has a rating of 4 out of 5 based on 232 reviews.

- 69 per cent of customers rated the pub as excellent or very good.

'Food good enough for Gordon Ramsey'

One person said: "What a lovely spoons, all staff were lovely, so pleasant - made some lovely berverarginos! Food was good enough for lord Gordon Ramsey’s taste receptors. 10/10 recommend for people wanting a late evening lash or an evening meal. Top quality."

'I will not be going back'

But another said: "We ordered our meal sat behind log fire very nice and warm. Our order came twenty minutes later,it was very dry, cold chips and veg was microwaved. Very nice cheap pint but full off all day coffee drinkers . It's a pity we haven't got any where else in Seaham to go but I will not be going back for anything to eat again. Drinks are spot on."

The Horse Shoe Inn, Crook 

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This Crook pub gets 3.5 out of 5 from 99 reviews on TripAdvisor with the majority of customers giving it high ratings for service and value.

- 67 per cent of customers rated the pub as excellent or very good.

'Nice place for a pint'

A customer said: "Just a good Wetherspoons and probs the best pub in Crook. Have often had breakfasts here in the last year or so -hard to beat ! nice place for a pint on a weekend afternoon too or a meal in the eve. People are snooty re Spoons but when they are as good as this place you cannot argue."

'Completely inedible'

But this customer was left disappointed: "Had what was named Steak and Kidney pudding, it was completely inedible, dehydrated and tasteless. Meagre filling. Never again."

The Bishops' Mill, Durham 

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With the majority of review, The Bishops' Mill in Durham has been rated 3.5 out of 5 by 576 people.

- 66 per cent of customers rated the pub as excellent or very good.

'Will visit again' 

One reviewer said: "Went here a couple of times while visiting Durham. The cleanest Wetherspoons I have ever been to. Not usually a fan of food at this chain but the eggs benedict were lovely. Added bonus..downstairs toilets!!! Renowned for a mountain hike in their other pubs, this was a pleasant change! Will visit again when next in Durham."

'Cheap but soulless'

However another said: "Called in for a bar meal pre theatre visit, went to bar was told to queue up then basically treated like a schoolboy, it’s cheap but soulless if you can avoid.."

The Wicket Gate, Chester-le-Street

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The Wicket Gate scored 4 out of 5 based on 268 reviews and the majority of reviews say the pub is 'excellent.' 

- 64 per cent of customers rated the pub as excellent or very good.

'It is spotless'

One reviewer said: "As Wetherspoons go this is a fine example of the chain. It is spotless, prompt service and the food was hot. As with most it's somewhat souless but unlike some other pubs in the chain, standards appear to be high here. It's in a good location at the top of the high street hard by the hospital and this is a safe bet if you need food or a quick drink."

'Tables not cleaned'

Another said: "Drink service excellent as all Spoons I visit. However food wise and management poor in comparison to other spoons. Ordered a pizza which came undercooked and as I write this two and half hours later, table not cleaned - nor has anyone asked if food ok. Have ordered drinks and delivered perfect but do not want to engage staff that are not trained or supervised."

The Grand Electric Hall, Spennymoor

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The Grand Electric Hall in Spennymoor has been reviewed by 189 people and has been scored 3.5 out of 5.

- 59 per cent of customers rated the pub as excellent or very good.

'Staff are so friendly'

Leaving a good review, one said: "A pleasant return after being away for a while, always a welcoming comfortable atmosphere. As usual a piping hot veggie breakfast and delightful coffee. Staff are so friendly and inviting. Thanks again."

'Full of unruly kids'

But another review said: "Usually go for a quick cheap lunch or breakfast at least once a week but every single time it is full of unruly kids screaming. Absolutely sick of it so we just avoid it now and go into Durham for something nicer. 
No other Wetherspoon has ‘clientele’ as bad as this; it’s just a joke."

The Tanner's Hall, Darlington

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The Tanner's Hall has been reviewed by 149 people and has been given a score of 3.5 out of 5. The majority of reviews fall under the very good category.

- 57 per cent of customers rated the pub as excellent or very good.

'Good location may

A reviewer said: "Good location Good menu choices. Great pub grub at cheap prices Great prices for alcohol, especially the Gins, good selection to choose from Busy place Love a Wetherspoons."

'Colleague sweeping up cigarettes'

But it was a difference experience for this customer who said: "Yet again you have to brave second had smoke just to get into the bar. And when you have a colleague sweeping up cigarette buts and asking people to move their feet that's speaking volumes about this Wetherspoons and management don't care less."

The Company Row, Consett 

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The Company Row in Consett gets 3.5 out of 5 based on a total of 154 reviews.

- 57 per cent of customers rated the pub as excellent or very good.

'Staff very welcoming'

A happy reviewer said: "My partner and I had our first visit yesterday morning. What amazing value for what was a very good breakfast and coffee!! Staff were very welcoming and helpful re the coffee machines. The place was very busy and had a great buzz about the place - good atmosphere and friendly customers too. Will definitely return. Thank you."

'Toilets are disgusting'

But less than impressed with its facilities, another said: "With very few exceptions staff are rude and unpleasant....tables left uncleared more than an hour after meal is finished - toilets are disgusting."

The Water House, Durham

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The North Road pub has been given its rating after 181 reviewers left their feedback on TripAdvisor. It got 3.5 out of 5.

- 55 per cent of customers rated the pub as excellent or very good.

'A very nice visit'

Leaving positive feedback, one said: "My wife and I called in for a lunchtime snack of loaded chips which we shared over a pint of real ale. The beer was very good and the chips were very hot and very tasty. All in all it was a very nice visit."

'Swearing at the top of their voices'

But others were less than impressed: "My partner & I stopped for a late breakfast. In front of the bar was a group talking, and swearing at the top of their voices. I complained to the barmaid and she said that she had told them & also the manager but it didn't seem much difference. I thought that Wetherspoons were stopping all that."

The William Stead, Darlington

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With almost double the number of reviews, The William Stead also gets 3.5 out of 5.

- 53 per cent of customers rated the pub as excellent or very good.

'Keep up the good work'

Full of praise from this reviewer: "Whist visiting Darlington for 2 nights we stopped for our tea here. Friendly staff lovely setting and generous portions. We keep going back to Wetherspoon as it fit our budget and quality never fails. Keep up the good work."

'Walked off' 

One customer had this to say: "Accidentally spilt ice on the table so moved tables for the bar man to come over and fling blue roll and a cloth over us telling us to go clean it, bar maid come past we stopped her to ask a question and she said you're stood here wasting my time and walked off. Manager then come over and was being lovely explaining his situation which was appreciated."

The Stanley Jefferson, Bishop Auckland 

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The Stanley Jefferson gets an overall 3 out of 5 based on 234 reviews.

- 47 per cent of customers rated the pub as excellent or very good.

'It hit the spot'

One visitor said: "We stopped in here on way to museum as we were celebrating a birthday. We both ordered the large mixed grill and weren't disappointed with what arrived. The portion sizes and quality of what was presented was right on the money and really hit the spot. A great place to eat that produces dishes of consistent quality and pocket friendly too."

'Hot food on cold plates'

But calling it 'dismal,' one said: "Just another cr*ppy spoons. Cold tasteless food. Hot food on cold plates. Was better here when it was a bank. Same old stuff on menu - what a waste of a pub."