Honest Lawyer Hotel Durham Exterior photo

Honest Lawyer Hotel Durham Interior photo

Key details

About the Hotel

Croxdale Bridge, Durham, DH1 3SP

Close to Durham Cathedral

Very good

7.5

8.3

/10

4.0

"Great that we could park outside the room and have our dog with us."

Tina from United Kingdom

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"The room was spotless, having the sleeping accommodation, a comfortable chair, desk/table with a lamp on."

Lodger55 from United Kingdom

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"LIKED that I could park right outside my ground floor room."

Philip from United States

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3-star family-friendly hotel near Durham City Centre

Location

Honest Lawyer Hotel is situated less than 5 km from Durham City Centre, close to the banks of the River Wear. The hotel offers easy access to the scenic highlights of County Durham, with attractions like The Auckland Project nearby. Guests can use ample free parking with space for over 100 cars.

Rooms

The hotel consists of 51 individual bedrooms, including Four Poster rooms and Courtyard rooms with private entrances. Room types accommodate single, double, twin, and family occupancy, alongside accessible rooms equipped for disabled guests. Spacious combinations like Room 42/43 provide separate sleeping areas with en suite facilities.

Pet-Friendly Amenities

The Honest Lawyer Hotel welcomes pets in designated Courtyard Rooms for a fee of £7.50 per dog per night. Well-behaved dogs may accompany owners in the Bar and Atrium area. Dog bowls are available upon request.

Highlights

Location: Less than 5 km from Durham City Centre

Rooms: 51 individual bedrooms, including accessible options

Dining: Full English breakfast and locally sourced dishes

Pet-Friendly: Courtyard rooms available for pets

Activities: Stargazing access with Dark Sky maps

Location: Great

8.4/10Review score

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Highlights from guests

DiningSunday Scrumptious!

The Sunday chicken dinner was huge! The beef was succulent and very tasty, completed with mash and Yorkshire puddings.

Elizabeth from England

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Guest ParkingConvenient Parking

Parking was easy and very close to my room. So convenient, especially when travelling with luggage!

David from Wales

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BathroomSpotless Bathroom

The bathroom was large and super clean. The warm shower over the bath was excellent. I really enjoyed it.

Aisha from Scotland

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Room FeaturesAmazing view!

My courtyard room had a lovely view of the fields and woods. Very comfortable and quiet; I slept really well.

Robert from Canada

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Select your room type

The hotel provides a selection of rooms—doubles, family rooms, and suites—with perks like free cancellation, breakfast options, and great value deals

Four Poster Room
2 persons
240 sq. feet
1 Double bed
Bathtub
Heating
room details
Family Room
2 persons
345 sq. feet
1 Double bed and 1 Single bed
Bathtub
Heating
room details
Double Room
2 persons
175 sq. feet
1 Double bed
Bathtub
Heating
room details

Show all rooms

Room rates & availability calendar

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Amenities & services

Real traveler stories and honest reviews—no glossy ads, just authentic feedback to guide your booking

Facilities: Very good

7.6/10Review score

General

No smoking on site
Wi-Fi
Parking
24-hour reception
VIP check-in/ -out
Express check-in/ -out
Pets allowed
Rooms/ Facilities for disabled
24-hour security
Luggage storage
Coffee shop
Smoke detectors
Fire extinguishers

Sports & Fitness

Hiking
Cycling
Golf course
Fishing

Services

Pet amenities available
Room service
Car hire
Welcome drink

Dining

In-room breakfast
Restaurant
Snack bar
Bar/ Lounge area
Dinner
Packed lunches
Special diet menus

Business

Meeting/ Banquet facilities
Fax/Photocopying

Children

Cots
Board games
Children's menu
Children's play area

Spa & Leisure

Live entertainment
Sun terrace
Leisure/ TV room

Room features

Heating
Sitting area
Terrace
Garden furniture
Ironing facilities

Bathroom

Free toiletries
Sink

Self-catering

Electric kettle

Media

Flat-screen TV

Room decor

Carpeted floor

Dining Onsite

At Honest Lawyer Hotel, guests can savor thoughtfully prepared British cuisine at Baileys Restaurant, which offers a family-friendly atmosphere perfect for any occasion. With a commitment to locally sourced ingredients, the seasonal menus provide an authentic taste of County Durham's rich culinary heritage.

Honest Lawyer Hotel Durham Restaurant photo

Baileys Restaurant

Traditional British

Ambiance

Family friendly with a welcoming, traditional vibe.

Key Offerings

Enjoy a variety of delectable starters, main courses, vegetarian and vegan options, plus house favorites alongside locally sourced steak, all paired with a fine selection from the world wine list.

Reservation

Recommended for dinner.

Monday to Friday: 07:00 - 21:00; Saturday: 08:00 - 21:00; Sunday: 08:00 - 19:00.

Honest Lawyer Hotel Location

Croxdale Bridge, Durham, DH1 3SP

Map view

City landmarks

Church

Durham Cathedral

2.5 mi

Museum

Oriental Museum

1.9 mi

Landmark

Croxdale Hall

2300 ft

Landmark

Croxdale church

2500 ft

Landmark

Willow Arbour

2200 ft

Castle

Tunstall Chapel

2.7 mi

Landmark

Willow Miner's Wife

2200 ft

Park

Durham University Botanic Garden

1.8 mi

Landmark

Stepping Stones

2700 ft

Landmark

Moated Site at Low Butterby Farm

5200 ft

Landmark

Church of St Bartholomew

1.1 mi

Landmark

Mount Oswald Golf Club

1.7 mi

Landmark

Willow Tunnel

5000 ft

Landmark

Willow Miner

5300 ft

Landmark

Low Burnhall

1.2 mi

Landmark

Stone Spiral

1.1 mi

Nearby

Plant for the Future

1200 ft

Restaurants

The Honest Lawyer Restaurant

100 ft

Restaurant

Explore Durham

Explore Croxdale

Croxdale Hall

10 minutes' walk

A historic site featuring stunning architecture and landscaped gardens, ideal for photography and history enthusiasts.

Durham University Botanic Garden

30 minutes' walk

Home to diverse plant collections and tranquility, offering picturesque walks and educational events year-round.

Oriental Museum

35 minutes' walk

Features a rich collection of artifacts from Asia, with occasional free admission days and guided tours.

Willow Arbour

8 minutes' walk

A serene park area perfect for relaxation and family picnics, showcasing beautiful willow trees and green spaces.

Golfing at Mount Oswald Golf Club

30 minutes' walk

A scenic 18-hole golf course providing a challenging experience, with rental services available for equipment.

Relaxing at Poplar Tree Garden Centre & Coffee Shop

10 minutes' drive

A tranquil garden center featuring a café and shop, ideal for leisurely afternoons with homemade treats.

The Honest Lawyer Restaurant

1 minute' walk

Offers classic British cuisine in a cozy setting, featuring seasonal dishes and locally sourced ingredients.

Willow Miner's Wife

10 minutes' walk

A delightful pub serving hearty meals, known for its friendly atmosphere and signature fish and chips.

Durham City Golf Club

35 minutes' walk

A vibrant venue known for social events and meet-ups, suitable for golf enthusiasts and casual visitors.

Prince Bishops Shopping Centre

50 minutes' walk

Offers shopping, dining, and occasional entertainment events, perfect for families and shoppers alike.

Getting around town

City Centre
Durham 7 min · 2.7 mi
Airports
Durham Tees Valley (MME) 51 min · 20.9 mi
Newcastle (NCL) 65 min · 26.9 mi
Train
Durham Train Station 8 min · 3.0 mi
Bus
Bus stop 7 min · 2.8 mi

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Property information and rules

Check-in

from 15:00-22:00

Check-out

until 11 am

Internet

Wireless internet is available in the entire hotel for free.

Breakfast

You can start your day with a full breakfast, which costs GBP 12.5 per person.

Children & extra beds

There are no extra beds provided in a room.

Pets

Pets are allowed on request.

Year renovated:

2008

Number of rooms:

Former name

BEST WESTERN Honest Lawyer Hotel

Reviews and Ratings

What past guests shared about their stay

Review score

Based on 6 verified reviews

8.9 /10

Great

100%

Recommend

Cleanliness

7.9/10

Comfort

7.8/10

Facilities

7.6/10

Free Wi-Fi

8.4/10

Location

8.4/10

Staff

8.6/10

Value for money

7.7/10

Riley from Australia

Family with children

Family Room

3 nights in November 2025

Reviewed: February 04, 2026

8.3/10

Very Satisfactory Stay

delicious food asian dishes convenient proximity easy walk

The breakfast offered sufficient options and the food tasted delicious. The bistro restaurant offered a good selection, including Asian dishes, it was not crowded. Proximity to the bus service for city access was convenient. I enjoyed the easy walk to the beach at Porobello.

The sink had a small crack, though this did not affect its functionality.

Facilities

8/10

The hotel includes a bar and restaurant within the main building, these areas showed recent refurbishment efforts. A car park provides direct access to motel-style rooms. I found this convenient. Open garden spaces offer opportunities to enjoy fresh air.

Location

9/10

The hotel is situated on a main road. This facilitates bus routes into the city. Rooms at the rear faced a field backed by woodland. I found the location offered convenient access to transport links, though not secluded.

Rooms

8/10

The room was adequately equipped. It featured two chairs, multiple sockets, and mirrors. A warm shower over the bath provided reliable hot water. I appreciated the functional setup of the room, though some aspects was somewhat worn

0 Helpful

harper from canada

Family with children

family room

3 nights in November 2025

Reviewed: February 03, 2026

9.0/10

amazing stay! highly recommend!!!

comfortable bed generous room easy tv

The beds were comfortable! the room size was generous, great for moving around. the tv was a great size and very easy to use!!! the bathroom and shower were also a fantastic size. dinner was good. I found the atmosphere friendly and the food wonderful.

the decor is a little dated.

Dining

9/10

I enjoyed a wonderful dinner with a friendly atmosphere. The food was delicious! the selection of meals was varied, i found the presentation to be elegant, and the service was attentive! drinks were available quickly.

Location

8/10

the hotel's proximity to the university provided easy access. a nearby river bridge offered a scenic view. a short drive leads to the city center. it's a convenient spot for various destinations.

Rooms

9/10

our family room was a generous size, perfect for our needs. the tv size was great and easy to operate. the bathroom featured good space, very helpful for accessibility. the beds were comfortable for restful nights.

Service

10/10

the staff at the front desk were very helpful and cute, addressing our needs quickly. the wait staff were polite, our dining experience was enjoyable. every staff member went out of their way, it felt appreciated.

0 Helpful

Scarlett from Ireland

Couple

Double Room

3 nights in November 2025

Reviewed: February 01, 2026

9.0/10

A Tranquil Retreat, Celebrating Moments

attentive staff delicious dinner serene escape

I found the staff attentive and amicable. They made every effort to ensure I was comfortable. My Sunday dinner featured a lovely selection of vegetables and proved delicious. The trail near the river provided a serene escape after a lengthy drive, offering moments of quiet reflection among beautiful scenery.

The bathroom decor felt a little worn, though it was functional

Dining

9/10

The Sunday dinner included an excellent variety of vegetables. Its selection enhanced the main course. The restaurant offers a pleasant atmosphere for enjoying meals.

Rooms

8/10

My room provided a view of the fields behind the hotel. The room also included all necessary amenities for a comfortable visit. It offered a relaxing space.

Facilities

9/10

Parking was convenient, with spaces available near the rooms. A nearby trail offers a scenic walk. It is perfect for peaceful moments. These facilities added to the pleasant experience.

Location

10/10

The location is near a bus stop. This enabled easy travel to the city. Taxis are readily available for shorter trips. The hotel provides simple access to attractions.

0 Helpful

Penelope from United Kingdom

Single

Twin Room

3 nights in November 2025

Reviewed: December 31, 2025

9/10

a comfortable stay with accessible parking

accessible parking powerful shower generous portions

the room setup allowed parking directly outside. the shower had a powerful stream. the meals featured generous portions and the bus stop to the city centre was a short walk away (about 2 minutes).

0 Helpful

Molly from United Kingdom

Single

twin room

3 nights in November 2025

Reviewed: December 01, 2025

9/10

easy parking farmland view friendly staff

I appreciated the easy parking right near the room door. the view from the window overlooked farmland. It helped me forget the nearby road (quite a treat, really). the staff were friendly and helpful throughout my stay.

the menu choice in the evening felt slightly limited.

0 Helpful

Rosie from Australia

Family with children

family room

3 nights in August 2026

Reviewed: November 03, 2025

9.0/10

convenient stay

easy unloading dog walk varied breakfast

motel style rooms allowed driving directly to the door for easy unloading. this was helpful with luggage. a dog walk verge sat just outside the entrance. footpaths were also accessible. breakfast had a great variety.

the bar was the only option for dining one evening, not the hotel's restaurant.

Facilities

8/10

the hotel includes a bar and restaurant. there are meeting rooms available for events. gardens offer outdoor space for relaxation. reception operates 24 hours a day.

Rooms

9/10

the room provided faced a field. this made it quiet. the room design was nice. i noted no road noise even with a main road nearby.

Service

10/10

staff assisted when i checked in. they were friendly. water was given with ice while staff answered a question. i appreciated this extra attention to detail.

Location

9/10

a bus stop is located directly outside the hotel. the bus makes accessing the city simple. leaving my car in the parking lot was permitted. this allowed me to use the bus.

Dining

9/10

the restaurant served large portions. the food tasted good and was well cooked. prices seemed reasonable for what was offered. the restaurant staff was also attentive.

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