The Chequers Inn

Excellent historical inn. Service is 100% from owners to staff made to feel very welcome. Food is outstanding had breakfast and evening meal 100% recommend. It was welcoming everyone spoke you. We had our dog who was also made to feel welcome will definitely be returning .

Great little gem of a place to eat, just off the A167 a little way south of Darlington. Sundays are very busy for lunches so be sure to book. Meals during the week are really good aswell. Staff are always polite and helpful. Portion sizes are really good as well.

Came for Sunday lunch and wasn't overly impressed. To begin, we all hadn't managed to even get sat down at the table before being asked what drinks we wanted. Food was enjoyable; however, I imaged the chicken would have been cut from whole rather than served as a breast. Personally, I would have preferred vegetables on the plate rather than self served (or at least with more than one spoon/in two bowls). Condiment ramekins would have also been useful with small spoons. The actual service was completely lacking. The many waitresses stood about leaning against walls, arms folded and looking very bored staring into the abyss. Not one person checked if anything was satisfactory throughout the meal. Eton mess, was not an Eton mess. We did mention this to the waitress, who raised it to kitchen staff (to note, we saw the lady with hair bunches in the kitchen shake their head and walk off - very professional). Went to pay and wasn't allowed to see the breakdown of bill until I'd paid which felt odd. Luckily everything was correct. To conclude, I wouldn't return for Sunday lunch but I'd potentially give a second chance for a weekday meal.