The Ancient Unicorn

The Street, Bowes, Barnard Castle, DL12 9HL, United Kingdom – Great location - show map

After booking, all of the property’s details, including telephone and address, are provided in your booking confirmation and your account.
Scored 8
8.0
Rated very good
Very good
584 reviews
a trophy deer head next to a lamp on a table at The Ancient Unicorn in Barnard Castle
a large bathroom with a tub and a sink at The Ancient Unicorn in Barnard Castle
a living room with a couch and a stone fireplace at The Ancient Unicorn in Barnard Castle
a bedroom with a large bed and a blue wall at The Ancient Unicorn in Barnard Castle
+31 photos

The Ancient Unicorn

Lock in a great price for The Ancient Unicorn - rated 8 by recent guests.

to get started.

Lock in a great price for The Ancient Unicorn - rated 8 by recent guests. to get started.

Situated in Barnard Castle, 7.9 km from Bowes Museum, The Ancient Unicorn features accommodation with free WiFi and free private parking. The property is around 19 km from Raby Castle, 22 km from Brough Castle and 27 km from Richmond Castle. Locomotion: The National Railway Museum is 33 km from the guest house and Forbidden Corner is 48 km away. There is also a well-fitted kitchen in some of the units equipped with an oven, a microwave, and a toaster. All units have bed linen. A Full English/Irish breakfast is available each morning at the guest house. Guests at The Ancient Unicorn will be able to enjoy activities in and around Barnard Castle, like hiking. Teesside International Airport is 47 km from the property.

Couples particularly like the location — they rated it 8.7 for a two-person trip.

Distance in property description is calculated using © OpenStreetMap

Most popular facilities
  • Free parking
  • Free WiFi
  • Non-smoking rooms
  • Breakfast

Property highlights

Top location: Highly rated by recent guests (8.7)

Want a great night's sleep? This property was highly rated for its very comfy beds.

Breakfast info

Full English/Irish

Free private parking available on-site

Availability

Select dates to see this property's availability and prices

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Room type
Number of guests
 
1 double bed
1 double bed
2 single beds
1 double bed
2 single beds
1 single bed
and
1 double bed
1 double bed
Bedroom :
1 double bed
Living room:
1 sofa bed
1 single bed
and
1 double bed
1 double bed
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Guest reviews

Categories:

Staff
8.8
Facilities
8.0
Cleanliness
8.7
Comfort
8.6
Value for money
8.4
Location
8.7
Free WiFi
6.9
Low score for Barnard Castle
Select topics to read reviews:

Guests who stayed here loved

  • Kevin
    United Kingdom United Kingdom
    “Great location, only a short distance by car to Barnard Castle. Friendly and welcoming staff. Good value for money. Atmosphere in lounge was great. ‘Madness’ Tribute Band were excellent, I bopped the night away. Good food. Would recommend.”
  • Christine
    United Kingdom United Kingdom
    “Lovely friendly staff, comfortable room, great band”
  • Yoda559
    United Kingdom United Kingdom
    “This is a fantastic little place. Well off the beaten track yet also BBC a stones throw from the main east west arterial route. Fantastic food and drink and the best staff you could ask for”
  • Derek
    United Kingdom United Kingdom
    “Great historic Inn with clean and tidy accomadation, helpful friendly staff and great well cooked evening food and excellent breakfast. super friendly bar staff and locals in the bar of an evening. If I was in the area again I would book another...”
  • Jeremy
    Australia Australia
    “Breakfast was great, juice, tea cereal, all you wanted in a good breakfast. The only issue for us was internet connection in the old part of the building and our room was nonexistent. we had to go down into the bar each morning to connect. was not...”
  • Ruth
    United Kingdom United Kingdom
    “We were pleasantly surprised by the cleanliness and comfort of the room. Very good breakfast, too. Amazingly good value!”
  • Clare
    United Kingdom United Kingdom
    “Beautifully decorated room, very comfy bed and well stocked refreshments”
  • Melissa
    United Kingdom United Kingdom
    “Friendly and helpful staff good location stayed bonfire night and they have a village bonfire hosted at the venue. Welcoming to attended. Very popular pub, good food. Sold out of the pie (which looked yummy sadly couldn’t have)”
  • David
    United Kingdom United Kingdom
    “staff fantastic and food excellent rooms perfect and clean would defo stop there again”
  • Sophie
    United Kingdom United Kingdom
    “From start to finish the staff couldn't be anymore helpful. Outstanding customer service ans hospitality. Would highly recommend and return to The Ancient Unicorn.”

Managed by The Ancient Unicorn

Company review score: 8.5Based on 760 reviews from 2 properties
2 managed properties

Company information

********PLEASE NOTE********** Winter hours are now in effect Monday closed for food and bar service Tuesday/ Wednesday/ Thursday/Friday 5pm opening Saturday and Sunday 12PM OPENING TILL CLOSE

Property information

This historic building is full of character and warmth, to ensure our guests have a cosy and comfortable environment to enjoy and relax in. The building is steeped in history – Charles Dickens was a guest in days gone by and based some of his writing on the places he discovered whilst visiting. Another famous visitor was the artist William Turner, who painted some landscapes in the local area. When you stay at the Ancient Unicorn there is plenty to explore and do! The surrounding countryside is stunning – changing with the seasons and you can walk for miles and see no-one. The Pennine Way passes through Bowes so you can take in part of this historic route, exploring the ruined castle in the village. Travelling just a bit further, the 3.5 miles into Barnard Castle, this historic, quaint market town with its massive ruined castle is set alongside the River Tees. So whether you're just passing through or stopping for a week there is plenty to keep you occupied right on our doorstep! ********PLEASE NOTE********** Winter hours are now in effect Monday closed for food and bar service Tuesday/ Wednesday/ Thursday/Friday 5pm opening Saturday and Sunday 12PM OPENING TILL CLOSE

Neighbourhood information

When you stay at the Ancient Unicorn there is plenty to explore. The countryside is stunning – changing with the seasons and you can walk for miles and see no-one. The Pennine Way passes through Bowes so you can take in part of this historic route, exploring the ruined castle in the village. Travelling just a bit further, the 3.5 miles into Barnard Castle, this historic, quaint market town with its massive ruined castle is set alongside the river Tees.

Language spoken

English

Property surroundings

Facilities of The Ancient Unicorn
Great facilities! Review score, 8

Most popular facilities
  • Free parking
  • Free WiFi
  • Non-smoking rooms
  • Breakfast
Bedroom
  • Linen
Pets
Pets are allowed on request. Charges may be applicable.
Activities
  • Hiking
    Off-site
Internet
WiFi is available in the rooms and is free of charge.
Parking
Free private parking is possible on site (reservation is not possible).
    Services
    • Express check-in/check-out
    Reception services
    • Invoice provided
    Safety & security
    • CCTV outside property
    • CCTV in common areas
    General
    • Non-smoking throughout
    • Heating
    • Non-smoking rooms
    Languages spoken
    • English

    House rules
    The Ancient Unicorn takes special requests - add in the next step!

    Check-in
    From 15:00
    Check-out
    Until 10:00
    Cancellation/ prepayment
    Cancellation and prepayment policies vary according to accommodation type. Please enter the dates of your stay and check the conditions of your required option.
    Children and beds

    Child policies

    Children of any age are welcome.

    To see correct prices and occupancy information, please add the number of children in your group and their ages to your search.

    Cot and extra bed policies

    Cots and extra beds are not available at this property.

    Age restriction
    The minimum age for check-in is 18
    Pets
    Pets are allowed on request. Charges may be applicable.
    Cards accepted at this property
    VisaMastercard Cash is not accepted
    Smoking
    Smoking is not allowed.
    Parties
    Parties/events are not allowed
    Quiet hours
    Guests must be quiet between 00:00 and 06:00.

    The fine print
    Need-to-know information for guests at this property

    Please note pets can only be accommodated in certain rooms. Please inform the property in advance.

    This property will not accommodate hen, stag or similar parties.

    Quiet hours are between 00:00:00 and 06:00:00.

    FAQs about The Ancient Unicorn

    • Room options at The Ancient Unicorn include:

      • Double
      • Twin
      • Triple
      • Bungalow

    • Guests staying at The Ancient Unicorn can enjoy a highly-rated breakfast during their stay (guest review score: 6.6).

      Breakfast option(s) include:

      • Full English/Irish

    • The Ancient Unicorn offers the following activities / services (charges may apply):

      • Hiking

    • The prices at The Ancient Unicorn may vary depending on your stay (e.g. dates you select, hotel's policy etc.). See the prices by entering your dates.

    • The Ancient Unicorn is 3.7 miles from the centre of Barnard Castle. All distances are measured in straight lines. Actual travel distances may vary.

    • Check-in at The Ancient Unicorn is from 15:00, and check-out is until 10:00.