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The Ancient Unicorn

3.0 star property
Enjoy the free parking at this 3-star Barnard Castle guest house

Choose dates to view prices

Photo gallery for The Ancient Unicorn

Classic Twin Room, Ensuite | Lounge
Classic Twin Room, Ensuite | Private kitchen
Classic Double Room, Ensuite
Bar (on property)
Bar (on property)

Reviews

9.0 out of 10
Wonderful

Popular amenities

  • Pet friendly
  • Parking included
  • Free WiFi
  • Bar

Explore the area

View in a map
The St, Bowes,, The Street, Barnard Castle, England, DL12 9HL
  • Place, North Pennines
    ‪16 min walk‬
  • Place, Barnard Castle
    ‪6 min drive‬
  • Place, Yorkshire Dales National Park
    ‪20 min drive‬
  • Airport, Durham (MME-Teesside Intl.)
    ‪39 min drive‬

Room options

View all photos for Classic Twin Room, Ensuite

Classic Twin Room, Ensuite

Classic Twin Room, Ensuite

9.0 out of 10
Wonderful
(2 reviews)
  • 1 bedroom
  • Sleeps 2
  • 2 Twin Beds

View all photos for Deluxe Double Room, Ensuite

Deluxe Double Room, Ensuite

Deluxe Double Room, Ensuite

  • 1 bedroom
  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 Double Bed

View all photos for Basic Double Room, Shared Bathroom

Basic Double Room, Shared Bathroom

Basic Double Room, Shared Bathroom

  • 1 bedroom
  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 Double Bed

View all photos for Basic Twin Room, Shared Bathroom

Basic Twin Room, Shared Bathroom

Basic Twin Room, Shared Bathroom

  • 1 bedroom
  • Sleeps 2
  • 2 Twin Beds

View all photos for Comfort Double Room, Ensuite

Comfort Double Room, Ensuite

Comfort Double Room, Ensuite

8.8 out of 10
Excellent
(3 reviews)
  • 1 bedroom
  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 Double Bed

View all photos for Classic Double Room, Ensuite

Classic Double Room, Ensuite

Classic Double Room, Ensuite

8.0 out of 10
Very good
(1 review)
  • 1 bedroom
  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 Double Bed

View all photos for Family Triple Room, Ensuite

Family Triple Room, Ensuite

Family Triple Room, Ensuite

  • 1 bedroom
  • 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)

10.0 out of 10
Exceptional
(1 review)
  • 1 bedroom
  • Sleeps 4
  • 1 Double Bed and 1 Double Sofa Bed

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)

  • 194 sq ft
  • 1 bedroom
  • Sleeps 3
  • 1 Twin Bed and 1 Double Bed

About the neighborhood

Barnard Castle

In Barnard Castle .You'll be within 2 miles (3 km) of North Pennines and 6 miles (10 km) of Barnard Castle with a stay here. Bowes Museum is within 6 miles (10 km) and The Garage Spa is within 9 miles (15 km).
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What's nearby

  • North Pennines - 16 min walk - 0.9 miles
  • Barnard Castle - 6 min drive - 4.8 miles
  • Yorkshire Dales National Park - 20 min drive - 19.7 miles
  • Durham University - 42 min drive - 33.4 miles
  • Durham Cathedral - 44 min drive - 34.6 miles

Getting around

  • Kirkby Stephen Station - 21 min drive
  • Durham (MME-Teesside Intl.) - 42 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪Cross Lanes Organic Restaurant - ‬4 min drive
  • ‪The Cricketers Arms - ‬7 min drive
  • ‪Ancient Unicorn Inn - ‬1 min walk
  • ‪The Milbank Arms - ‬10 min drive
  • ‪Coach & Horses - ‬7 min drive

About this property

The Ancient Unicorn

Enjoy the free parking at this 3-star Barnard Castle guest house
There's a coffee shop/cafe on site. You can enjoy a drink at the bar/lounge. Free breakfast is served, and guests can also enjoy a free manager's reception. Public spaces have free WiFi.

The Ancient Unicorn also features a garden and coffee/tea in a common area. Free self parking is available.

This 3-star Barnard Castle guesthouse is smoke free.

  • 15 guestrooms or units
  • Breakfast available (free)
  • Manager's reception (free)
  • Coffee in lobby
  • Garden
  • No smoking on site
  • Bar or lounge
The Ancient Unicorn offers 15 accommodations. Housekeeping is provided weekly.

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The price is $113
Jan 1 - Jan 2, 2026
Total with taxes and fees
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Property amenities

Internet

  • Available in some public areas: Free WiFi

Parking and transportation

  • Free self parking on site
  • Limited onsite self parking

Food and drink

  • Free breakfast available
  • A bar/lounge
  • A coffee shop/cafe
  • Coffee and tea in common areas
  • Free daily manager's reception

Accessibility

  • No elevator

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
Information provided by the property may be translated using automated translation tools

Renovations and closures

The following facilities are closed on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday:
  • Bar/lounge
  • Dining venue(s)

Access methods

Lockbox

Pets

  • Pets: GBP 10.00 per pet, per stay
  • Only dogs are allowed
  • Service animals are exempt from fees

Children and extra beds

  • Children are welcome.

Property payment types

Important information

Optional extras

The fees and deposits listed below will be charged at the time of service, check-in, or check-out.

  • Pet fee: GBP 10.00 per pet, per stay
  • Service animals are exempt from fees

This may not be a comprehensive list. Fees and deposits are subject to change and might not include tax.

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
Charges for extra guests may apply and vary according to property policy.
A cash deposit, credit card, or debit card for incidental charges and government-issued photo identification may be required upon check-in.
Special requests are subject to availability at the time of check-in. Special requests can't be guaranteed and may incur additional charges.
    This property accepts credit or debit cards, Visa, and Mastercard. For guests' safety, the property includes a carbon monoxide detector, a fire extinguisher, a smoke detector, a security system, a first aid kit, and outdoor lighting in each accommodation. The property is professionally cleaned.

We should mention

  • Please note that this property can refuse certain bookings for the purpose of group events or parties, which include 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

Frequently asked questions

How close is The Ancient Unicorn to the airport?

The Ancient Unicorn is 29.4 mi (42-min drive) away from the Durham (MME-Teesside Intl.) airport, the closest popular airport to the property.

Does The Ancient Unicorn have an airport shuttle?

Airport shuttle services are not available at The Ancient Unicorn.

Does The Ancient Unicorn offer free breakfast?

Yes, The Ancient Unicorn offers free breakfast.

Is there a casino at The Ancient Unicorn?

No, there is no casino at this guesthouse.

What time is check-in at The Ancient Unicorn?

Check-in start time: 3:00 PM; Check-in end time: anytime.

Is there free parking at The Ancient Unicorn?

This guesthouse offers free self parking.

Does The Ancient Unicorn have a pool?

The Ancient Unicorn does not have a pool.

Does The Ancient Unicorn have a spa?

There are no spa services available at this guesthouse.

How close is The Ancient Unicorn to downtown Barnard Castle?

The Ancient Unicorn is 3.1 mi away from Bowes.

The Ancient Unicorn Reviews

Reviews

9.0

Wonderful

Rating 10 - Excellent. 83 out of 138 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 39 out of 138 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 7 out of 138 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 8 out of 138 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 1 out of 138 reviews

9.0/10

Cleanliness

9.0/10

Staff & service

8.0/10

Amenities

8.8/10

Property conditions & facilities

8.2/10

Eco-friendliness

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

Sarah

Traveled with group
Liked: Amenities
Very friendly establishment. Great service and good dinner menu and breakfast. The cottage could of done with a deep clean as there was loads of spiders and cobwebs. Would definitely stay there again but maybe in the pub next time
Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2025

10/10 Excellent

Timothy

Traveled with group, Traveled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
.
Stayed 1 night in Sep 2025

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveler

Liked: Cleanliness, property conditions & facilities, room comfort

Northern Break

It was the perfect place for a stopover. The room was lovely, the food was good, and the service was good too.
Stayed 1 night in Aug 2025

8/10 Good

Carolyne

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Lovely overnight stay, comfortable accommodation and facilities. Food lovely breast and evening meal. Great parking for motorcycles
Stayed 1 night in Jul 2025

6/10 Okay

Alison

Traveled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
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.
Stayed 1 night in Jul 2025

10/10 Excellent

Louisa

Traveled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities
A little basic but comfy, very quiet, delicious breakfast and friendly and accommodating staff.
Stayed 1 night in Jul 2025

4/10 Poor

Andy

Stayed 1 night in Jun 2025

8/10 Good

Julian

Traveled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, property conditions & facilities
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.
Stayed 2 nights in Jun 2025

4/10 Poor

Aydan

Disliked: Staff & service
Stayed 1 night in Jun 2025

10/10 Excellent

Anna

Stayed 1 night in Jun 2025

10/10 Excellent

Jane

Liked: Property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Stayed 1 night in May 2025

10/10 Excellent

George

Traveled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
didn't like the price differential between booking direct with the hotel to booking with you.
Stayed 1 night in May 2025

10/10 Excellent

paula

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
Stayed 2 nights in Mar 2025

8/10 Good

Sue

Traveled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort

Quality accommodation/ disappointing dinner.

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.
Stayed 2 nights in Apr 2025

8/10 Good

Matthew

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Stayed 1 night in Mar 2025

10/10 Excellent

Hayley

Traveled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Excellent staff and well positioned for a stop over.
Stayed 1 night in Mar 2025

10/10 Excellent

Deirdre

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort

Overnight Stay in Room 5 The Ancient Unicorn

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
Stayed 1 night in Mar 2025

10/10 Excellent

Markus

Traveled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort

Fantastic place

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.
Stayed 3 nights in Feb 2025

10/10 Excellent

Irene

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Stayed 1 night in Feb 2025

10/10 Excellent

Nicole

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Stayed 1 night in Feb 2025

8/10 Good

Michael

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort

Stop-over

Stayed 1 night in Feb 2025

10/10 Excellent

Lilly

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort

Great Stay !

Lovely rooms , comfy bed & comfy pillows , great shower. Service & hospitality was fantastic ! Would highly reccomend.
Stayed 2 nights in Jan 2025

10/10 Excellent

Ruth

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort

Lovely and GF breakfast

Lovely stay with lovely hosts. If you’re gluten free, the landlord is coeliac so you get a fabulous breakfast!
Stayed 1 night in Dec 2024

10/10 Excellent

Tracy

Traveled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Lovely stay Very cosy
Stayed 1 night in Dec 2024

8/10 Good

Lorna

Traveled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
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.
Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2024