Best and worst Wetherspoons: Durham, Yorkshire and Teesside

Wetherspoons has many pubs across all regions - some that span town and city centres and those that are in more of a village setting. 

Across the UK, the popular pub chain is known for keeping its costs low - but does that translate to cleanliness, quality, and great service? We find out.

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

A guide to Wetherspoons in Durham, Darlington, North Yorkshire and Teesside - ranked from best to worst:

The Angel Hotel

1 New Quay Road, Whitby

Rating: 4.5/5

Situated on the harbourside, this is a long-standing local landmark. In 1893, it was an ‘old established commercial inn’. In 1823, it was ‘a posting and commercial house’. The Royal Mail coach to York left the inn every Sunday, Tuesday and Thursday. The service had operated from The Angel since its inception in 1795. The Diligence coach (to Scarborough) and the Union coach (to Sunderland) also operated from the inn.

The best Wetherspoons on the list - with a 4.5 rating, the amount of excellent reviews given is staggering. 

People were complimentary about the hotel and about the restaurant.

One person who enjoyed their stay said: "Really comfortable harbour-facing room. Very quiet. Efficient heating system. Very clean. Room serviced daily with refills of tea, coffee, biscuits, etc. Also complimentary water. Staff all very pleasant and helpful."

However, one of the 73 terrible reviews was from a diner, who said: "We didn't stay here but called in for breakfast. It was the worst breakfast, it was cold, and the black pudding was so overcooked it was crunchy, I asked if they could do some more black pudding, and they took my breakfast away, then brought it back to me so I could eat it whilst waiting for them to cook the black pudding."

The Five Quarter, Peterlee

Tripadvisor rating: 4

Out of 98 review ratings, The Five Quarter in Peterlee came out with four out of five stars, from 98 reviews. Not only coming out highly for a Wetherspoons pub, it is ranked two out of four in pubs for Peterlee on TripAdvisor, while also finding itself six out of 18 restaurant venues. 

In the reviews, one diner praised The Five Quarter by saying: "What can I say? I've never had a bad meal and the staff are so friendly. Very fast service too. Prices are really 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." 

However, not everyone had the same enthusiasm for the venue, with one person reviewing it by saying: "Came for a curry at on Thursday night at the actual ‘curry club’ only to be told on ordering (at 4pm!) that there were no naan breads. We were offered chips instead so fair enough. I then ordered a chicken jalfrezi to be told again, surprise surprise that they didn’t have any!!! Then the food turned up and there were only 13 chips on the plate."

The Unicorn Hotel

Market Place East, Ripon

Rating: 4/5

It is also possible that the Unicorn Inn was named in the early 17th century, during the reign of James I (who visited Ripon in 1617), when the mythical horned beast was added to the royal coat of arms.

These premises were refurbished in J D Wetherspoon in April 2011.

This Wetherspoons, which also boasts rooms above the pub, has one of the best ratings from any on the list - having garnered 464 excellent reviews along the way. 

One impressed diner said on TripAdvisor: "Friendly staff, great service and always terrific value.
Never had a bad pint in here ever. Fast at getting orders out to your table."

However, one person didn't share those views and said: "The room I stayed in was room 101 a small double. The bedroom windows were in for repair and the whole room felt a bit grubby. The bed was awful as sheets did not fit."

The Swatters Carr

228 Linthorpe Road, Middlesbrough

Rating: 4/5

This has been a public house for more than a century. Mostly, the three-storey building (which extends along Victoria Road) was the Empire (not to be confused with the nearby Empire Theatre – now a nightclub). The Empire was originally named the Empire Hotel. The building is recorded in the 1891 census as the Swatters Carr Hotel Public House – Swatters (or Swathers) Carr after the isolated farmhouse, first recorded on a map dated 1618.

Receiving a rating of four stars out of five, this is one of the higher-rated Wetherspoons on the list. 

And on TripAdvisor, that is shown.

With only 14 terrible reviews, the pub also had 87 excellent reviews.

One diner who visited praised the pub and said: "I have been here numerous times for breakfast and Swatters and their brilliant staff always deliver. Nearby parking is free on Saturdays and Sundays."

Meanwhile, one not-so-complimentary diner added: "Had lunch, chose steak and kidney pudding with mash, peas and gravy - The mash was so solid and thick it could have been used to build a foundation for a house."

The Three Tuns

54 Market Place, Thirsk

Rating: 4/5

Around 1740, the Dower House, in the Market Place, was adapted for use as a coaching inn. At that time, it was Thirsk’s only coaching inn and had the monopoly for many years. The London, Edinburgh, Newcastle, Leeds and Darlington coaches all used the Three Tuns Hotel for bed and breakfast. The original mangers, stalls and hay lofts for the horses may still be seen at the yard, behind the pub.

Another top-rated Wetherspoons, with the majority of its 600 reviews on TripAdvisor coming out at excellent and good.

While it's top-rated, it hasn't avoided negative reviews, with one person saying: "Appalling. Purchased an American Cheese Burger. Came out as a sad flat cold thing that looked like it had been stood on."

However, another review that rated the pub excellent said: "Have enjoyed a family meal at the Three Tuns Great staff and relaxed atmosphere. The curry tasted great and the children enjoyed their pasta and pizza."

The Winter Gardens

Unit 4, Royal Baths, Parliament Street, Harrogate

Rating: 4/5

Harrogate’s former Royal Baths included the Winter Gardens – built so that visitors could relax and stroll in any weather. Its name lives on in this Wetherspoon pub. During the 1920s, people could relax here, amid potted palms, listening to music from a grand piano. In the 1930s, the Municipal Orchestra played every morning throughout the year, with free admission for the patients of the baths.

This is the most reviewed Wetherspoons on the list, with a massive 2300 reviews racked up on TripAdvisor.

One person loved the architecture, saying: "Visited Harrogate last week and went here twice in 2 days. Fantastic value and great service as usual but what a place! The Winter Gardens is well worth a visit just to admire the architecture."

However, another criticised the food, saying: "Terrible, staff don't care just backchat. Went there for a bite to eat food was ready within 3 minutes, which should not happen which says to me not made fresh. being an establishment serving food should be made fresh each day."

The Ironstone Miner

88 Westgate, Guisborough

Rating: 3.5/5

Behind the former register office is Guisborough Library, on the site of the Quaker meeting house. Erected in 1815, it was demolished in 1964/5. In front of the meeting house was an open area with cottages at the front, facing onto Westgate. They were demolished in c1965 to make way for the former register office. In the late 1800s and early 1900s, the cottages here were the homes of the ironstone miners. Ironstone mining had begun around Guisborough in the 1860s.

The land was then converted into a Wetherspoons in 2017.

In the rankings, it finds itself at a 3.5-star review - which turns out is average for a Wetherspoons pub.

On one side of the reviews, one diner was disgusted with their visit, saying: "Went against our better judgement to meet family for breakfast and it will be the last time. I would be ashamed to serve anyone what we got."

However, another diner loved it, saying: "A busy eatery with a huge menu with various prices. We always choose something different each time we visit."

The Plimsoll Line

138–142 High Street East, Redcar

Rating: 3.5/5

The name of this pub recalls the pioneering efforts of Samuel Plimsoll, who lived for a while in High Street. His observations on how boats rose and sank according to their payload led to the Plimsoll line on ships, saving many lives.

Located a street away from the sea in Redcar, it's a classic coastal spot. 

But it seems as though customers are divided judging from their reviews. 

With 66 excellent reviews, the Redcar pub also has 28 terrible reviews listed.

On one comment, one diner said: "Consistency is what you get with Wetherspoon and food & drinks were exactly good as usual," while a less than impressed reviewer said: "We visited Redcar with our dog and having visited loads of other spoons naturally went to this one, turns out no spoons allows dogs, I deleted the app right away."

The Ralph Fitz Randal

6 Queens Road, Richmond

Rating: 3.5/5

This former post office faces Friary Gardens which recall the friary founded by Ralph Fitz Randall in the late 13th century. After his death, Fitz Randall’s heart was buried at the friary in a silver casket.

While the reviews are generally good in this Wetherspoons, people were critical of the food, with one person saying: "Called in for quick pint and snack with friends, omg the food here is terrible, overcooked dry burger, some shocking pizza that was dressed with cress instead of rocket, just awful, never again."

However, the majority found the pub excellent or good, with one diner saying: "Lovely Weatherspoon. Very clean and has a nice atmosphere. Had the Thursday curry club, food was fresh and piping hot."

The Hat and Feathers, Seaham

Tripadvisor rating: 3.5

Rated a little less than The Five Quarter in Peterlee, The Hat and Feathers still appears as the seventh best place in Seaham for 'quick bites' and has managed to garner 253 reviews. 

One reviewer loved the venue, saying: This was our second visit and I wanted to write a review mainly to compliment the staff. They were so helpful and efficient, they all seemed happy to serve you. The food was as expected, hot, good quality and served quickly. The prices are cheap."

Meanwhile, it wasn't all good news for the pub, with one reviewer saying: "I have eaten in several Wetherspoon pubs around the country but never before have I seen a place as dirty as this. Every knife and fork had particles of food on them, what does it take to wash cutlery . The food was disgusting and the atmosphere was something between a greasy spoon cafe and a soup kitchen for down and outs."

The Bishops’ Mill, Durham

Tripadvisor rating: 3.5

While this pub comes third on our Tripadvisor list, it is a popular branch with 68 per cent of reviews rated as excellent or very good. 

Despite over 400 people reviewing it as excellent or very good, The Bishops' Mill has one of the worst rated, with 114 calling the venue 'terrible'. 

The good part

One diner said: "When we go out we always look for a JD Wetherspoons as its rare we get disappointed. Today was no exception. Good hot food. Clean pub. Exceptionally nice and polite staff. What more can you say. This is one I would definitely recommend."

The bad part

One disappointed diner said: So many items on the menu are not available as advertised. No sauces for the desserts were available but didn't let us know when ordering, and offered no compensation. Dry cookie dough with ice cream, no sauce at all even though advertised. Extremely unhelpful staff. Won't go again.

The Lord Rosebery

85–87 Westborough, Scarborough

Rating: 3.5/5

Originally the Liberal Club, this pub was officially opened in October 1895 by the Liberal politician Lord Rosebery, who had been prime minister until earlier that year.

Yet another seaside pub and the rating is an average 3.5 stars out of five. 

One diner was very complimentary about staff, saying: "Excellent venue, excellent range of real ales, and above all excellent service from many of the staff. Too many to mention by name, but well done and thanks to all of you."

But another wasn't too impressed - adding: "Couldn't rate this zero because there is no facility to do this. Rude staff, very very poor food and disgusting toilets. Avoid at all costs. If you complain the staff are rude and dismissive."

The Horse Shoe Inn, Crook

Tripadvisor rating: 3.5

Noted as a 3.5/5 stars venue, The Horse Shoes Inn is ranked as number four out of five in Crook for light bites on TripAdvisor.

Despite online having 3.5 stars, the pub has 68 ratings of excellent or very good, out of a total 108 reviews. 

In recent reviews, one diner seemed to love the venue, saying: "We visited here today and everything was spot on.

"All procedures were carried out by friendly welcoming staff. Our waitress Rachael was very attentive to our needs of food and drinks. We all had the breakfast brunch which was very tasty and hot.

"We also had hot drinks later, again served to us at the table. Rachael said if we requested more just get her attention. The interior of the pub is very attractive and of Wetherspoons standard of history."

However, another dissatisfied customer, said: "had what was named steak and kidney pudding. It was completely inedible. dehydrated and tasteless. meagre filling. never again."

The Wicket Gate, Chester-Le-Street

Tripadvisor rating: 3.5

63 per cent of customers leave excellent or very good reviews for The Wicket Gate on social media.

The pub has been ranked #2 of 10 Quick Bites in Chester-le-Street.

As you would expect from a 3.5 star rated venue, it divided opinion from members of the public.

While one diner seemed to hate the venue, by saying: "Nicely done out but pity about service takes ages to get served loads of people waiting for drinks very bad system plenty staff doing very little," while one who seemed to enjoy their visit added: "I've been here many times over the years and the food and drink has been excellent. The prices are as good as any other spoons and depending on the time you go the food service is decent too."

The Grand Electric Hall, Spennymoor

Tripadvisor rating: 3.5

With more than half of their customers happy, the Grand Electric Hall has excellent or very good reviews 58 per cent of the time.

A recent reviewer didn't seem to enjoy their visit, with them saying: "We are great fans of Wetherspoons pubs. The last twice we have been in here it was absolutely disgustingly filthy. Tables were pilled high with dirty dishes, customers had to move them to get a clear table. All the furniture in here has seen better days as has the carpet. The self-serve drinks machines were a health hazard when they have drinks in them."

However, it's not all bad news for The Grand Electric Hall, with one impressed person saying: "Amazing staff, couldn't be more helpful. Food is very reasonable and good value. Look forward to our next visit."

The Company Row, Consett

Tripadvisor rating: 3.5

Out of all the Tripadvisor reviews, 57 per cent are rated excellent or very good at The Company Row.

However, with 26 terrible reviews, it puts this Wetherspoons venue at 3.5 stars. 

One diner who ranked the place terrible said: "Quite a feat to serve a stone cold full English in mid-summer. Get a plate warmer. On the plus side the food quality was good."

In contrast, though, another that rated The Company Row highly 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 regarding the coffee machines."

The Stanley Jefferson, Bishop Auckland

Tripadvisor rating: 3

While this pub may fall in ninth place, 46 per cent of customers have shared excellent or very good experiences on Tripadvisor.

One customer recently handed out a five star review.

He said: "Popped in for lunch with my mam after work! Sat in the area which was app only as we love the app! Very quick service and lovely food. We got a main meal each with extra sides and drinks!"

It's the quality of food taking the hit on Tripadvisor's review section.

'Thinnest fish ever'

One customer said: "Breakfast looked great but baked beans stone cold, everything else [luke]warm."

Another said: "It's Friday, so of course fish n chips, ok you only get what you pay for, but this was well below par, half the fish was the thinnest fish ever with rock hard batter, so essentially a small fish, chips were undercooked and a tad hard."

There was harsh criticism from another customer who described the pub's offering as "dismal".

He told Tripadvisor: "Cold tasteless food. Hot food on cold plates. Was better here when it was a bank."

The Buck Inn

237–238 High Street​, Northallerton

Rating: 2.5/5

The former Buck Inn is part of a row of long-standing properties at the north end of High Street, close to the grade I listed parish church. On the 1894 OS map, the site of this old inn is marked as a public house, but unnamed. However, The Buck Inn is recorded in trade directories of 1893 and 1890, when Mrs Elizabeth Brockhill was the licensee. 

The worst Wetherspoons on the list. 

Despite only having 52 reviews, it has received 18 terrible ratings and only seven excellent ones. 

Here's what people had to say: 

One impressed diner said: "Just what we wanted. Good beer and soft drinks, light lunch. Just the job without spending too much. You know what you're getting with Wetherspoons and it's usually decent food & drink and great value for money."

But another disagreed and said: "The table was filthy. Asked for it to be cleaned. Didn't happen. 6 bar staff. Ordered the gourmet sirloin, it was not sirloin it had the texture of battered out veal."