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The Ancient Unicorn

2.0 star property
Barnard Castle guesthouse with bar/lounge

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Photo gallery for The Ancient Unicorn

Classic Twin Room, Ensuite | Lounge
Classic Double Room, Ensuite
Classic Twin Room, Ensuite | Private kitchen
Comfort Double Room, Ensuite | Bathroom
Bar (on property)
At The Ancient Unicorn, you'll find a warm and inviting atmosphere with free WiFi in public areas. Enjoy easy parking and a smoke-free environment that lets you focus on your stay.

Reviews

9.0 out of 10
Wonderful

Popular amenities

  • Bar
  • Pet friendly
  • Non-smoking
  • Free parking
  • Free WiFi

Main amenities (2)

  • Weekly housekeeping
  • Bar/lounge
$117 nightly
The total price is $140
Jun 5 - Jun 6
Total includes taxes and fees

Room options

Available filters for rooms
Showing 9 of 9 rooms

View all photos for Deluxe Double Room, Ensuite

Deluxe Double Room, Ensuite

Deluxe Double Room, Ensuite

Highlights

Heating
Premium bedding
Separate bedroom
Hair dryer
Private bathroom
Coffee/tea maker
Electric kettle
Digital channels
  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 Double Bed

View all photos for Classic Twin Room, Ensuite

Classic Twin Room, Ensuite

Classic Twin Room, Ensuite

Highlights

Heating
Refrigerator
Premium bedding
Separate bedroom
Microwave
Stovetop
Oven
Coffee/tea maker
  • Sleeps 2
  • 2 Twin Beds

View all photos for Basic Triple Room, Shared Bathroom, Courtyard View (Mini Unicorn)

Basic Triple Room, Shared Bathroom, Courtyard View (Mini Unicorn)

Basic Triple Room, Shared Bathroom, Courtyard View (Mini Unicorn)

Highlights

Heating
Premium bedding
Blackout drapes/curtains
Separate bedroom
Digital channels
Pet friendly
  • 194 sq ft
  • Sleeps 3
  • 1 Twin Bed and 1 Double Bed

View all photos for Family Triple Room, Ensuite

Family Triple Room, Ensuite

Family Triple Room, Ensuite

Highlights

Heating
Premium bedding
Separate bedroom
Hair dryer
Private bathroom
Coffee/tea maker
Electric kettle
Digital channels
  • Sleeps 3
  • 1 Double Bed and 1 Twin Bed

View all photos for Comfort Cottage, Ensuite, Courtyard View (Charles Dickens Cottage)

Comfort Cottage, Ensuite, Courtyard View (Charles Dickens Cottage) | Lounge

Comfort Cottage, Ensuite, Courtyard View (Charles Dickens Cottage)

Highlights

Separate dining area
Heating
Kitchen
Refrigerator
Blackout drapes/curtains
Separate bedroom
Hair dryer
Private bathroom
  • Sleeps 4
  • 1 Double Bed and 1 Double Sofa Bed

View all photos for Classic Double Room, Ensuite

Classic Double Room, Ensuite

Classic Double Room, Ensuite

Highlights

Heating
Premium bedding
Separate bedroom
Hair dryer
Private bathroom
Coffee/tea maker
Electric kettle
  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 Double Bed

View all photos for Comfort Double Room, Ensuite

Comfort Double Room, Ensuite

Comfort Double Room, Ensuite

Highlights

Heating
Premium bedding
Separate bedroom
Hair dryer
Private bathroom
Coffee/tea maker
Electric kettle
  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 Double Bed

View all photos for Basic Twin Room, Shared Bathroom

Basic Twin Room, Shared Bathroom

Basic Twin Room, Shared Bathroom

Highlights

Heating
Premium bedding
Separate bedroom
Coffee/tea maker
Electric kettle
Digital channels
  • Sleeps 2
  • 2 Twin Beds

View all photos for Basic Double Room, Shared Bathroom

Basic Double Room, Shared Bathroom

Basic Double Room, Shared Bathroom

Highlights

Heating
Premium bedding
Separate bedroom
Coffee/tea maker
Electric kettle
  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 Double Bed

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8.2 out of 10, Very Good, 157 reviews
The price is $125
$104 nightly
$125 total
Total includes taxes and fees
May 28 - May 29
The Old Well Inn
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About the neighborhood

Map
The St, Bowes,, The Street, Barnard Castle, England, DL12 9HL

What's nearby

  • Barnard Castle - 6 min drive - 7.7 km
  • Bowes Museum - 7 min drive - 8.7 km
  • The Garage Spa - 8 min drive - 11.8 km
  • Yorkshire Dales National Park - 21 min drive - 31.7 km
  • High Force - 31 min drive - 29.2 km

Getting around

  • Durham (MME-Teesside Intl.) - 42 min drive
  • Kirkby Stephen Station - 21 min drive
  • Bishop Auckland Station - 26 min drive
  • Darlington Station - 27 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪Babul’s - ‬7 min drive
  • ‪Coach & Horses - ‬7 min drive
  • ‪Redwell Inn - ‬9 min drive
  • ‪Golden Lion - ‬6 min drive
  • ‪Costa Coffee - ‬7 min drive

About this property

The Ancient Unicorn

When visiting Barnard Castle, The Ancient Unicorn is a great choice to consider. Freebies like breakfast and self parking are added perks, and guests looking to stay active can check out the nearby hiking/biking trails.

Languages

English

At a glance

DONE

Hotel size

    • 17 rooms
DONE

Arriving/Leaving

    • Check-in start time: 3:00 PM; Check-in end time: anytime
    • Contactless check-in available
    • Minimum check-in age: 18
    • Check-out time is 10:00 AM
    • Contactless check-out available
DONE

Special check-in instructions

    • Guests will receive lockbox information
DONE

Required at check-in

    • Credit card, debit card, or cash deposit required for incidental charges
    • Government-issued photo ID may be required
    • Minimum check-in age is 18
DONE

Pets

    • Pets allowed (dogs only)
    • Service animals welcome
WIFI

Internet

    • Free WiFi in public areas
LOCAL_PARKING

Parking

    • Free onsite self parking
DONE

Other information

    • Smoke-free property
    • No stag/bachelor or hen/bachelorette parties

Property amenities

Food and drink

  • Free breakfast
  • Bar/lounge

What to do

  • Hiking/biking trails nearby

Room amenities

More

  • Weekly housekeeping

Fees & policies

Policies

This property's policy is to refuse certain bookings for the purpose of group events or parties, including pre-wedding stag/bachelor and hen/bachelorette parties.
This property does not have elevators.
Guests can rest easy knowing there's a carbon monoxide detector, a fire extinguisher, a smoke detector, a security system, a first aid kit, and outdoor lighting on site.
This property accepts credit/debit cards.
Credit cards accepted: Visa, Mastercard
This property is professionally cleaned.

Also known as

Ancient Unicorn Inn Barnard Castle
Ancient Unicorn Barnard Castle
Ancient Unicorn
Ancient Unicorn Barnard
Ancient Unicorn Inn
The Ancient Unicorn Guesthouse
The Ancient Unicorn Barnard Castle
The Ancient Unicorn Guesthouse Barnard Castle

Frequently asked questions

Are pets allowed at The Ancient Unicorn?

Yes, dogs are welcome.

Is parking offered on site at The Ancient Unicorn?

Yes, there's free self parking.

What are the check-in and check-out times at The Ancient Unicorn?

Check-in start time: 3:00 PM; Check-in end time: anytime. Check-out time is 10:00 AM. Contactless check-in and check-out are available.

What is there to do at The Ancient Unicorn and nearby?

Have fun during the warmer months with activities nearby such as hiking.

What's the area around The Ancient Unicorn like?

The Ancient Unicorn is located a short 16-minute walk from North Pennines.

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The Ancient Unicorn Reviews

Reviews

9.0

Wonderful

9.0/10

Cleanliness

9.0/10

Staff & service

8.2/10

Amenities

8.8/10

Property conditions & facilities

8.4/10

Eco-friendliness

Popular mentions

Room
Food
Service staff
Bar
Pub
Restaurant
Breakfast
Ambience
Accomodation Type
Bed

What guests liked

  • Breakfast was consistently praised for its quality, variety, and delicious options, including vegetarian and gluten-free choices. (9 reviews)
  • Breakfast was nice with various options and evening meals were also good. (3 reviews)
From real guest reviews summarized by AI.

Reviews

10/10

Such a lovely stay property was lovely very clean inviting and cosy and great for our dogs too. The staff were so lovely friendly helpful and made us feel very welcome. I am coeliac and they were fantastic with the food for me would highly recommend loved it
2-night trip

10/10

Lovely rooms , comfy bed & comfy pillows , great shower. Service & hospitality was fantastic ! Would highly reccomend.
2-night trip

10/10

Lovely stay Very cosy
1-night trip

10/10

We only were there for 1 night but it was a very comfy and enjoyable one. We had dinner there and it was very good also breakfast next morning was cooked as you ordered and a very good choice of cold items we had room 5 and it was a beautiful room with tea and coffee making facilities
1-night trip

10/10

Lovely stay with lovely hosts. If you’re gluten free, the landlord is coeliac so you get a fabulous breakfast!
1-night trip

10/10

We had a fabulous stay in the Ancient Unicorn. We were a family of 4 and also had our dog with us. We stayed in the Charles Dickens Cottage and it was outstanding. When we arrived, the cottage was warm and welcoming. The kitchen was well-equipped. The breakfast was delicious and the staff were super friendly. The location is great for exploring the area. We look forward to coming back in the future.
3-night trip

8/10

Charming olde world inn. Beautiful room and nice original features. Very friendly staff. Superb breakfast (even did me porridge as can't manage a full english). Lovely views from our second floor room which was very spacious. Evening meal disappointed. Steak was too well-done - no pink in the middle/ sticky toffee pudding was very dry.
2-night trip

10/10

Very friendly, helpful staff.
1-night trip

10/10

Loved our first experience at the ancient unicorn wonderful staff beautiful food I would highly recommend anyone to stay or visit you won’t be disappointed A****
1-night trip

10/10

We loved our stay. The staff were lovely and the whole place was cute and friendly
1-night trip

10/10

Fabulous room . Helpful, friendly staff . Lovely food .
1-night trip

8/10

Charles Dickens cottage was great for a family of 4 on a short break. Comfortable and convenient location just off A66 without braking the bank. Great to have a fully equipped kitchen as well if you have kids to feed.
2-night trip

8/10

Lovely historical property and good value for money. Quiet location, great stop off for travelling on the A66, with Barnard Castle just a short drive. Easy check into cosy courtyard cottage. Nicely decorated and furnished, though the bed would benefit from a better quality mattress. Friendly staff and good breakfast. Evening pub menu satisfactory but not exceptional.
2-night trip

10/10

Friendly, helpful staff. Modern, very clean en-suite room with comfortable bed. Evening meal and breakfast good. Great to meet Gus the dog!
1-night trip

8/10

Nice stay in an historic inn, with clean room, good pub food and a hearty breakfast. Reasonable price too - what's not to like?
2-night trip

10/10

The pub/hotel has evolved from a traditional coaching inn which has being doing basically the same job for over 400 years. Our room was basic, but had character (window seats) and the main facilities were fine (good bed, plenty of heating and lots of hot water). There is parking in the old cobbled coaching yard and the town of Bowes is quiet, but conveniently close to the A66.
2-night trip

10/10

It was in a quiet wee village but if you have a car you can go to town I upgraded to a cottage and it had a microwave and kettle also a hob was very clean and there’s parking the breakfast and food was lovely would go again
2-night trip

10/10

We were delighted by this place, we had a very warm welcome and very well appointed, spotlessly clean rooms; which were very comfortable. The food was good and the atmosphere very relaxing. Cheerful friendly staff made it a good place to stopover on our travels.
1-night trip

10/10

Landlady was amazing. I arrived in a sorry state coming off the Pennine way. An hour later showered and fed I was on my way into BC in a taxi she organised. Room was clean and the whole place had been been repainted and felt looked after.
1-night trip

10/10

Booked the Deluxe double as a stop over, and had a lovely night's sleep.
1-night trip

10/10

Rooms feel very comfy and the colour style was lovely
1-night trip

10/10

I stayed with 2 female friends in a small but comfy courtyard room. We stayed for tea on the night and it was gorgeous, the staff were friendly and accommodating swapping the meal to suit our needs. Next morning breakfast was included so we all had a large full English, veg option available. We will definitely be back. Small issue re damp smell in bathroom but loved the place.
1-night trip

10/10

We loved the quaintness of the hotel - it was beautiful too. The area is perfect for walking/rambling and was very quiet. The staff we encountered were lovely, kind, helpful and polite. And we particularly loved Gus, the resident doggie. Checking in was easy when we realised it was a staff-free experience and had to use codes and lock boxes to get the keys - simple and effective.
1-night trip

10/10

Lovely Hotel full of character. It was comfortable, clean and the service was excellent. It was was very clean and well maintained throughout. Food was very good too.
1-night trip

8/10

A very convenient overnight stop on our drive north to Scotland. Lovely old building in the heart of the village. We arrived late but had been provided with codes that gave us access to our 3-person room, which was very comfortable and fine for an overnight stay but might be a bit small if you were staying longer. Very comfortable beds but rather a lot of noise from the adjacent room. Very good value for money - we would certainly consider returning to use the Ancient Unicorn as a base for exploring the local area.
1-night trip