This website is currently in beta. If you wish to go back to the current site please click here. To provide feedback or find out more about this site, please click here.

Pubs & Clubs
Events
Beers & Breweries
Pubs & Clubs
Events
Beers & Breweries
Join Us
Heritage Pub

Dun Cow, Durham

37 Old Elvet, Durham, DH1 3HN (View on Google Map)
No website available
Improve This Listing

A Grade II listed pub, parts of which date back to the 15th century. In 995AD, Lindisfarne monks searching for a resting place for the body of St Cuthbert came across a milkmaid looking for her lost cow. She directed them to Dun Holm (Durham), and the pub is named after the historic animal. There is a small front snug with a larger lounge to the rear. An occasional guest beer is available.

Information for this venue is provided by the Durham Branch of CAMRA
Previous Names
Local Authority
Last updated
09/03/2024
Last surveyed
22/10/2022
Pub ID
DUR/40
Asset of Community Value

One star - A pub interior of special national historic interest

Listed status: II

From the front door of this 18th-century pub, a passage runs down the left-hand side and a sliding door leads into the small front bar. Old fittings here include a fine Tudor Revival four-sectioned bar back with mirrored panels, a panelled bar counter and a carved wood surround fireplace. Of similar vintage are the full-height wall-panelling, match-boarded ceiling and baffles by the door. Further down the passage is the door to the lounge, which is evidently an amalgamation of two rooms. Near the servery is an old plasterwork ceiling with a decorative frieze. Everthing else, though, is relatively modern.

General information about historic pub interiors

Early 18th century pub with mock timbering on the first floor. A passage runs down the left hand side of the pub from the front door to the rear and a sliding door leads into the small front bar with fittings dating back to the late 19th century. These include the fine Tudor Revival four sectioned bar-back, where the second one is access for staff to the rear lounge, and it has mirrored panels. There is also a Victorian panelled bar counter which has a top dating from 2005 and an old carved wood surround fireplace with Tudor shaped interior, that has been bricked up, which may well be early twentieth century. Other old fittings are the floor to ceiling wall panelling, a match-boarded ceiling, and a pair of baffles by the door but the benches attached to the walls are difficult to date.

Further down the passage is the door to the lounge in an older part of the building which is clearly an amalgamation of a couple of rooms. The ceiling nearest the servery has an old sectioned plasterwork ceiling with a decorative plaster frieze. The bar fittings here are all modern as is the fireplace and fixed seating. The gents toilets at the rear are still 'outside' but the ladies has a covered walkway. The pub boasts the highest sales of Castle Eden Ale (now brewed at Camerons) in the whole of the north east.

General information about historic pub interiors
Seen some incorrect or missing details? let us know.
Opening
Food
Monday
Noon - Midnight
12:30am - 12:30am
Tuesday
Noon - Midnight
12:30am - 12:30am
Wednesday
Noon - Midnight
12:30am - 12:30am
Thursday
Noon - Midnight
12:30am - 12:30am
Friday
Noon - Midnight
12:30am - 12:30am
Saturday
Noon - Midnight
12:30am - 12:30am
Sunday
Noon - Midnight
12:30am - 12:30am
Spotted an error with the opening times? Let us know

Current beers

This Pub serves 1 changing beer and 2 regular beers.

Regular and recently seen

Dun Cow, Durham

Add it to our list and share what's currently being served!.
Are you a CAMRA member? Contribute by submitting a beer score
Spot a Beer
Submit beer score
Changing

Fourth pump not always in use as a guest beer

Changing beers typically include: Castle Eden - Blond , Moorhouse's - White Witch

Source: National

Do you know what Regular beers or changing beers this Pub serves? Let us know
Your scores
Join CAMRA to access beer scoring and view scores for other pubs.
Become a member.
Retrieving scores
You have no beer scores submitted.

Facilities
Family Friendly Family Friendly
Dog Friendly Dog Friendly
Games Games
Dominoes, Sove Hapenny
Newspapers Newspapers
Real Fire Real Fire
Separate Bar Separate Bar
Smoking Smoking
Rear terrace with heaters
Wi Fi Wi Fi
Features
Real Ale Real Ale
Real Heritage Pub Real Heritage Pub
LocAle LocAle
Cask Marque Cask Marque
Quiet Quiet
Transport
Close to bus routes (200m)
Arriva: 6, X12
Nearby Station (940m)
Durham
Are these pub facilities or features correct? Let us know

Nearby

View All
Durham Masonic Hall
Club
0.0 miles - 36 Old Elvet, Durham, DH1 3HN
Dunelm Club
Club
0.1 miles - 55 Old Elvet, Durham, DH1 3HN
(Pub, Bar, Key). Published on 01-01-1970
Cast Iron Terrace Bar
Pub
0.1 miles - Durham Marriott Hotel Royal County, Old Elvet, Durham, DH1 3JN
(Bar, Key). Published on 01-01-1970
Brooks Bar
Club
0.1 miles - Brooks House. Old Elvet, Durham, DH1 3JP
(Pub, External, Key). Published on 01-01-1970
City
Real Ale Available
Pub
0.1 miles - 84 New Elvet, Durham, DH1 3AQ
Heritage Pub
Drawing by Adele Shallow. (Pub, External, Key). Published on 07-05-2021
Half Moon Inn
Real Ale Available
Pub
0.1 miles - 86 New Elvet, Durham, DH1 3AQ
(Pub, External, Key). Published on 13-04-2018
Boat Club
Pub
0.2 miles - Elvet Riverside, Durham, DH1 3AF
Heritage Pub
Adele Shallow drawing. (Pub, External, Key). Published on 03-05-2021
Victoria Inn
Real Ale Available
Pub
0.2 miles - 86 Hallgarth Street, Durham, DH1 3AS
(Pub, External, Key). Published on 01-01-1970
Library
Real Ale Available
Pub
0.2 miles - 46 Saddler Street, Durham, DH1 3NU
(Bar, Key). Published on 12-08-2013
Osbournes
Pub
0.2 miles - 21A Elvet Bridge, Durham, DH1 3AA
Home
© Campaign for Real Ale 2023 - 2024