Ye Old Elm Tree

Head down Crossgate towards St Margarets Garth and you'll find yourself in one of Durham's most unpretentious corners. The Elm Tree is the kind of place where regulars nurse pints at the bar and the staff know what you're having before you order. It's small, genuinely atmospheric, and completely unbothered by trends—think dark wood, creaky floors, and the sort of welcome that makes you want to come back immediately. The ales are proper, the crowds are mixed, and there's a real sense this pub's been doing its thing for years without needing to shout about it.