Heading north to Durham and Darlington as William The Conqueror’s army and many others did, the traveller passes through Great Smeaton and the hub of the village, the Black Bull Inn.  Centuries old, the Black Bull was a half way house for armies all those years ago, although today’s traveller has the advantage of driving along the A167 and stopping off at the Black Bull to enjoy real ales, hot food, a heated beer garden, a game of pool or just to watch some television in the comfortable bar. A far cry from William’s time when a shower and a good night’s sleep in one of the Black Bull’s bed and breakfast rooms would have proved to be irresistible!

With a minimum of two real ales available at any one time the Black Bull has an extremely well stocked bar with a pool table and television. There are two talented dominoes teams and one darts team and plenty of space and an equal amount of good reason for the visitor to park in one of the two car parks and venture inside. Food is served daily between Wednesday and Sunday, the latter being a popular roast lunch day and locally sourced produce, including meats, is used throughout the imaginative menu.  Meals are served either in the dining room, the public bar area or outside in the beer garden where heated units take the edge off any chill. Unusually, the passing traveller can obtain hot take away food throughout the day at the Black Bull Inn.

The Black Bull Inn is popular with motorsport enthusiasts and many visiting the nearby Croft Circuit take advantage of the bed and breakfast facilities on offer at the Black Bull; rooms being centrally heated with colour television and beverage making facilities. Returning to enjoy a hearty meal at the Black Bull after hours consisting of perhaps go karting, quad bikes, clay pigeon shooting and archery concludes a perfect day for many.

Continuing with the theme of motor sports, the Black Bull is a meeting venue for the Woolly Backs Scooter Club and proves to be a racing certainty for both local residents and travellers.

Food served lunchtime and evening
Beer Garden (heated)
All day hot food take away
Comfortable bed + breakfast accommodation
Real ales
Car parks x2
Croft circuit nearby
The Black Bull, a racing certainty!