The Duke Of Wellington

You'll find this Ember Inn doing exactly what a good local should: serving up decent grub without any faffing about. The menu won't win awards for innovation, but when you're after a proper Sunday roast or fish and chips that doesn't disappoint, it delivers consistently. The beer garden's a proper sun trap when Durham's weather cooperates, and inside strikes that sweet spot between family-friendly and somewhere you'd actually want to meet mates for a pint. What sets it apart from other chain pubs is the genuine local feel – probably helped by its spot on Darlington Road rather than being stuck in the tourist trap around the cathedral. Staff know their regulars, the ales are kept well, and you won't feel rushed through your meal. It's the sort of place that reminds you why the British pub, when done properly, remains unbeatable.