Visited yesterday for Sunday Lunch and was left very disappointed. We've been here loads of times before and the food and service is always great, however this time was very different. When we arrived they had sat someone else in the table we booked in the restaurant area (we arrived 10 minutes early so it wasn't due to our lateness) so we had to wait while they made us another table up in the orangery which was so hot. We then waited 30 minutes before anyone came over to take our drinks order, I then had to go to the bar to ask where the drinks were and they hadn't even started making them. (This is no fault of the girl who took our drinks order, she was working tirelessly, doing multiple jobs). 15 minutes after that our food arrived, however they got my sons order wrong, bearing in mind, he's a 3 year old and had already been waiting 45 minutes for food, he then had to wait longer while they corrected the order which they again got wrong, at this point I was sick. I had the 3 meat Sunday lunch, and normally this is outstanding but the beef was dry and so were the roast potatoes. Again, no one came over to ask if the food was okay or if we needed any more drinks, it was very very poor, upon paying I told the gentleman all of this and he kindly reduced our bill and informed us that 3 staff hadn't turned up that day. While talking to him, I did notice to of the other female staff standing at the bar not doing very much, which really is not fair on the other who were working hard. I really like this place and we will go back, but yesterday was such a shame, we had recommended this place to our parents who we brought with us, but we feel really let down by the experience. Even if the staff had of managed our expectations on arrival and just said they were short staffed so service might have been a bit slower that would have made a difference. Anyway, I put this down to an off day but it really makes a difference letting your customers know what to expect on the day. Thank you for the gesture of the reduced bill, not many places are willing to do that these days so it is appreciated.

Booked a table, arrived 10 minutes early and was told there was a 30 minute wait for food, no problem. Tried to order starters and were told the only way we could have starters was if we agreed to have them be served at the same time as mains, no problem we just ordered mains. Mains arrived 90 minutes later, chips cold. Clearly over booked themselves and couldn't manage. Stunning setting with beautiful views over the Durham countryside.