3-star Barnard Castle guest house with coffee shop/cafe
Along with a bar/lounge, this smoke-free guesthouse has a coffee shop/cafe and coffee/tea in a common area. Free WiFi in public areas, free self parking, and a free manager's reception are also provided. Other amenities include a garden and free breakfast. Weekly housekeeping is available.
The Ancient Unicorn offers 15 accommodations. Housekeeping is provided weekly.
The recreational activities listed below are available either on site or nearby; fees may apply.
The guesthouse offers a coffee shop/cafe. A bar/lounge is on site where guests can unwind with a drink. A complimentary breakfast and manager's reception are offered (may not be available daily). Wireless Internet access is complimentary.
This Barnard Castle guesthouse also offers a garden and coffee/tea in a common area. Complimentary self parking is available on site.
The Ancient Unicorn is a smoke-free property.
A complimentary breakfast is offered. A complimentary manager's reception is offered each day.
Property amenities
Internet
Available in some public areas: Free WiFi
Parking and transportation
Free self parking on site
Food and drink
Free breakfast available
A bar/lounge
A coffee shop/cafe
Coffee and tea in common areas
Free daily manager's reception
Guest services
Housekeeping (weekly)
Outdoors
Garden
Outdoor furniture
Accessibility
No elevator
More
Smoking not allowed
Policies
Check-in
Check-in start time: 3:00 PM; Check-in end time: anytime
Contactless check-in available
Minimum check-in age: 18
Check-out
Check-out before 10:00 AM
Contactless check-out available
Special check-in instructions
Guests will receive lockbox information
Renovations and closures
The following facilities are closed on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday:
Bar/lounge
Dining venue(s)
Access methods
Lockbox
Pets
Pets allowed for an extra charge of GBP 10.00 per pet, per stay
Service animals are welcome, and are exempt from fees
Welcoming dogs only
Children and extra beds
Children are welcome
Property payment types
Important information
Optional extras
Pet fee: GBP 10.00 per pet, per stay
Service animals are exempt from fees
The above list may not be comprehensive. Fees and deposits may not include tax and are subject to change.
You need to know
Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card, or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
This property accepts credit/debit cards
Safety features at this property include a carbon monoxide detector, a fire extinguisher, a smoke detector, a security system, a first aid kit, and outdoor lighting
This property is professionally cleaned
We should mention
This property does not have elevators
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
Property is 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
Reviews
The Ancient Unicorn Reviews
9.0
Wonderful
All reviews shown are from real guest experiences. Only travelers who have booked a stay with us can submit a review. We verify reviews according to our guidelines and publish all reviews, positive or negative.
Room was lovely with a very comfy bed. Please add a reading light as the main light was very 'soft'. However the food was NOT good. I'm pretty sure our evening meal choices of scampi+chips and sausage+mash were both microwaved ready meals, not freshly prepared. The scampi+mushy peas were hard/overdone but the chips soggy & limp. The sausage+mash meal fared better but the sausages were really poor quality meat and not tasty. Overall, we would happily sleep there another night if we're in the area but it's not somewhere we want to eat again.
Two night stay in the small village of Bowes. Double room was comfortable with en suite. Tasty English breakfast included. We used the pub for our evening meal on both nights - there is no other option nearby for dinner without a short drive. Bar food was cooked really well. The bar itself was functional but lacking a bit of character.
didn't like the price differential between booking direct with the hotel to booking with you.
George
Stayed 1 night in May 2025
10/10 Excellent
paula
Apr 4, 2025
Wonderful trip away
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
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.
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
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.
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.
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.