Black Bull Hotel

We stayed here for 1 night as other nearby places were booked up. The hotel looks nice from the outside but is a bit dark & dated inside. We were welcomed straight away & shown to our room but this was the last time we saw a member of staff. The room was a decent size but again was quite dated, it was clean but not spotless and the milk sachets provided were out of date. A full English breakfast is advertised as being included in the price and menus and breakfast order forms were provided in our room however we were informed by other guests that no food was available at all, we should have really been told this by the staff on arrival. Had an ok night's sleep but not great, if you're after a quiet night then it's probably not the place for you. No staff were to be seen in the morning and the pub was all locked up so we just left room keys on the side and left via the back door. We went to the Pennine Inn just down the road for our breakfast - would highly recommend this and book earlier for a room there in future. The Black Bull was adequate for a night but I wouldn't stay again, definitely not worth £100 plus, horrendously overpriced for what we got. Hopefully the new owners can turn it around as the Kirkby Stephen area itself is lovely and worth a visit.

Visited for lunch and can honestly say this was the worst experience we have had. Beer was awful. Wine was awful. They should be reported to Trading Standards. Menu stated sandwiches were on toasted farmhouse bloomer bread. What we actually received was cheap, supermarket, thin sliced, soggy white bread. There was no tartare sauce on the fish finger sandwich, as described on the menu. We struggled to find the fish inside lots of batter. The chips were lukewarm and inedible. The steak sandwich had no onions, again as described on the menu, and was so soggy it just collapsed. We would advise anyone in the area to look elsewhere for a meal.

Unfortunately we decided to eat here. The food was terrible. Cold nachos with cold cheese sauce. Cold wings which were smothered in cold bbq sauce. The prawns were ok as they were evidently deep fried and pre bought. We are a group of 6 eating here with a bill totalling £80+ My friends meals were equally terrible with child sized portions and food served not as described on the menu. When asked if everything was ok we explained our dissatisfaction and were met with a non plus response which was almost argumentative and defensive. Almost as if they did not care.

Another honest review. So we stayed 2 night over the New Year 2023 as we wanted to get away from the city hustle and bustle and it’s exactly what we got. Room was fine and had a huge bath with a good hot shower . The staff we met were all great, happy and would answer any questions, breakfast was good too. I’d deffo come back.

Called in for a drink . Barmaid had no social skills turned so many people away as too busy ? Serving people then ignoring them and talking to people walking in . Had a table of 9 and 4 . Only pub open so expected this pub to be thriving . Maybe need more staff as she seemed extremely stressed out. Pub didn’t seem clean, food all over tables and salt and pepper Don’t think we will return

Had a great experience at this hotel in Kirkby Stephen recently. Very easy booking in by the young lady behind the bar, went above and beyond to make us feel welcome. Pub in general gad a good atmosphere. Rooms were a good size, clean, tidy and warm. Would definitely stay again without doubt.

Stopped on way to barrow in Furness for lunch. Dreadful food. Steak sandwich was lumps of steak with lots of mushrooms. Halloumi wrap was tasteless and seemed to have fried lettuce in. Certainly no sweet chilli sauce. Frozen fried chips. Not worth £9 each. Place looks grubby and menu holder was stuck to table with grime. Now in a gorgeous hotel and had to cancel evening meal as stomach upset.

Stopped by for lunch on a quiet wet Thursday. Welcoming fire in the grate and the best steaks we have had in a long time. The stilton sauce was particularly moreish. Very enjoyable meal and we will definitely be paying a return visit.