Tasty Home Cooked Food

Dickens Bar & Bistro

A Classic Country Pub In County Durham

The bar is open 7 days a week offering coffee and drinks daily to enjoy in our garden or inside if you prefer.

About The Dickens Bar At The Morritt

The Dickens Bar and Bistro is a classic country pub within a four star country house hotel and it offers that feel of escaping all of the urban hubbub. The famous mural depicting the scene of locals within the bar enjoying the frivolity and camaraderie of any locals drinking hole. The name has come from The Morritt Hotels link back through history with Charles Dickens. It is thought when writing his novel Nickolas Nickleby he stayed at The Morritt whilst gathering inspiration from the surroundings and the local boys school with the mural based on that era to really does tie the theme in. New murals were commissioned in the bistro to celebrate Dickens’ 200th birthday in 2012.

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History of The Dickens Bar & Bistro

In 1838, a young Charles Dickens travelled north to research his third classic, Nicholas Nickleby. At that time, Teesdale was at the centre of a scandal – the home of the notorious Yorkshire schools, severe residential academies that subjected inmates to inhuman regimes. It is thought that Dickens stayed at The Morritt during his travels and it’s certainly something that’s taken to heart – the bar has huge murals depicting Dickensian scenes. Hand-painted by the famous Northumbrian artist John Gilroy, they’re one-of-a-kind. New murals were commissioned in the bistro to celebrate Dickens’ 200th birthday, on February 7th, 2012. Food is freshly prepared, with the menu updated weekly. Some staples remain, however, such as The Morritt burger – we needn’t reinvent a classic.

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Our Delighted Clientele

Staff were lovely, hotel was lovely, food was brilliant and the beds were unbelievably comfy. Wouldn’t have got up other than the breakfast being perfect every morning. Will definitely be staying again.

Joe Jones

Nice old building that is easily accessible. Well appointed with properly trained staff. Been eating there for many years and always had a good experience. Interesting how some restaurants can produce a Sunday Lunch and some cannot. This is one of the can does. Splendid choice of starters and mains to match. Give it a try. You won’t regret it.

Howard Walker

The garage spa is cute and compact and the staff were very welcoming and friendly. The treatments my group indulged in were gorgeous and we enjoyed the hot tubs, steam and salt rooms. Thoroughly relaxing and topped off with a yummy afternoon tea over at the hotel to end the day.

Karen Gair