With the Bank Holiday here - it's time to make plans with your friends and family - and what's better than having a Sunday roast, whether it's hot or cold weather outside?

County Durham is graced with so many venues for a great Sunday dinner, using TripAdvisor and customer reviews, we have pieced together five of the best pubs and restaurants in the region for a Sunday dinner. 

Five places for Sunday dinner in County Durham:

The Shepherd & Shepherdess Inn

Entrance Gate, Beamish, Stanley

A traditional pub near Stanley, The Shepherd & Shepherdess Inn is a great pick for the Bank Holiday and boasts great reviews for its Sunday roasts. 

This place has got many reviews from people who are impressed with the Sunday dinner they have had here.

One person who enjoyed their visit said on TripAdvisor: "Situated just before the entrance to Beamish, this is a lovely gem of a pub. It is a traditional, no nonsense country pub with wholesome home cooked, delicious food."

The Three Horseshoes Inn

Running Waters, Durham

One venue that usually makes it into the Northern Echo top five for roasts list, The Three Horseshoes is just a great place for a meal.

And it seems as though reviewers feel the same - with 1,400 excellent reviews and an average score on TripAdvisor of 4.7 stars out of five. 

This cosy countryside pub with rooms is four miles from Durham Castle, Durham University Botanic Garden and Durham Cathedral.

One person who has visited said: "Relaxed and pleasant atmosphere, friendly staff and excellent food, everything you need for a meal with friends and family. The view out of the back window across open fields and sheep pasture is beautiful, there's plenty of parking spaces as well."

The Travellers Rest

Front Street, Witton Gilbert, Durham

Based in Witton Gilbert, this pub can be classed as a hidden gem of sorts - but that many people have reviewed it as excellent, it has to be included in the best list. 

A traditional pub in County Durham, The Travellers Rest serves Sunday roasts and traditional pub grub.

One reviewer who enjoyed their visit said: "One of the best Sunday dinners we have ever had. Definitely our new favourite. Staff are very friendly too."

The Duke of York Inn

Fir Tree, Crook

Over the last nine years, the pub has built up a reputation for homecooked food, great service and quality - which is why it has earned a place on the list.  

And with a score on TripAdvisor of 4.6 stars out of five, people who have reviewed it agree too.

One person who ranked it highly said: "Lovely Sunday dinner in a very friendly atmosphere."

South Causey Inn

South Causey Inn is a family-owned hotel with a ‘country feel’ family pub, restaurant, and cocktail bar and is recognised for its great service.

The hotel has 55 unique bedrooms and suites with private parking, luxury hot tubs, plush interiors, waterfall showers, private gardens, copper baths, and more.

Most read

Don't miss out on the latest news and stories. Subscribe to the Northern Echo, for just £3 for 3 months click here.

The hotel is perfectly positioned between Durham and Newcastle, whilst also embracing Northern history, with the world-famous Beamish Museum, and Tanfield Railway just a stone's throw away. 

But alongside its facilities, it boasts a great Sunday roast, with plenty on TripAdvisor agreeing. 

One reviewer on the platform said: " can't wait to return! The meal was one of the best I've had for a while. They're back serving large portions again and the quality is wonderful. Loads of attentive staff. It's a quirky place to eat, with a real fire in the pub. Definitely going back with extended family."