What is Travelers’ Choice?
Tripadvisor gives a Travelers’ Choice award to accommodations, attractions and restaurants that consistently earn great reviews from travelers and are ranked within the top 10% of properties on Tripadvisor.
Tollemache Arms
Review
About
Travelers' Choice
2024
Features
CUISINES
Bar, British, Pub
Meal types
Lunch, Dinner, Brunch
Special Diets
Vegetarian friendly, Vegan options, Gluten free options
FEATURES
Accepts Credit Cards
Buffet
Free off-street parking
Full Bar
Highchairs Available
Mastercard
Outdoor Seating
Parking Available
Reservations
Seating
Serves Alcohol
Table Service
Takeout
Validated Parking
Visa
Wheelchair Accessible
Wine and Beer
Location
Free off-street parking, Parking Available, Validated Parking
Menu
Is this restaurant good for breakfast?
Save this restaurant
Hours
Closed now
• Opens at 12:00 PM
Sunday
12:00 PM - 7:00 PM
Monday
Closed
Tuesday
Closed
Wednesday
12:00 PM - 3:00 PM5:00 PM - 11:00 PM
Thursday
12:00 PM - 3:00 PM5:00 PM - 11:00 PM
Friday
12:00 PM - 3:00 PM5:00 PM - 11:00 PM
Saturday
12:00 PM - 11:00 PM
Contribute
4.2
996 reviews
Excellent
582
Very good
193
Average
109
Poor
66
Terrible
46
Mark Bennett
Northampton598 contributions
Dec 2024 • friends
Six of us booked an inpromtu visit on a saturday lunchtime and the place was full. Having never been to the Tolly before I was looking forward to seeing if the good things I'd been told about the food and service lived up to the hype. Im pleased to report it did, with exceptional service from the minute we walked in and took a drink in the bar area. Once at our table the service continued to impress whilst we perused the menu. Myself and two others opted for the beef bourguignon pie that came with broccoli and added a side of chips. Others had a burger and the Seabass. The food arrived and was delicious with the pie bursting with beef and flavour. I had a sticky toffee pudding with ice cream for dessert which was nice and we all agreed the meal was excellant. Although the prices are on the high side of average at the Tolly it's well worth it given the quality of food and service. We look forward to returning.
Written December 9, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Gail S
1 contribution
Dec 2023 • friends
This beautiful pub in the village of Harrington is a great find for us. We live in Cambridgeshire and have friends who live in the Cotswold, so the Tollemache Arms is an ideal mid-way meet up destination for us.
From our very first visit we have been totally impressed with the warm, cosy, beautifully decorated and clean interior, the wide range of drinks to choose from, such friendly welcoming staff and most of all the superb quality of food. The staff are always very attentive throughout and nothing is too much trouble. The lunch menu offers a varied selection of meals to ensure something for everyone, and the food is always well presented and very tasty. In today's economic climate, the prices are very much in line with any other restaurant of this quality and I would thoroughly recommend anyone to pay them a visit and experience this for themselves. You will definitely want to go back and do it all over again !!
Written December 10, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
John W
1 contribution
Sep 2024 • family
Other pubs near and far should look and learn.
The Tollemache Arms knows how to do it .
No mediocrity here!
A smiling and knowledgeable team preparing and serving delicious food and drink in an environment that would be happy to spend time in and return.
Written September 21, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Joe Buckley
Hi John,
Thank you so much for your review. We just do the basics well, cook great ingredients, serve brilliant drinks and love doing it which just makes The Tolly, the best pub in the village x
Written September 22, 2024
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
LittleBeach12
Wellingborough35 contributions
Mar 2025 • friends
When I booked online for Sunday Lunch with friends, the options were 12:00 or 2:30 which made me think that the four of us would have the table for 2.5 hours, plenty of time to have the minimum 2 courses you'll get charged for. Well, my mistake for assuming that we had time..
When we arrived, the restaurant was heaving and our table wasn't quite ready, so we enjoyed a drink in the bar. 15 minutes later, we were shown to our table and immediately asked if we were ready to order. Unfortunately, they had run out of cauliflower cheese. The 4 roasts came out in record time, and both the pork and beef were nice enough, though nothing special and a bit light on vegs. We had to ask several times for a jug of water and never had the opportunity to order a bottle of red as staff were just too rushed. Within minutes of plates being cleared, we were asked if we would like desserts and it was only when we requested a little breather that we were told that they would need the table back at 4 pm. We were not happy. It then took a little while to get the attention of our lovely but rushed-off-her -feet waitress to order dessert. When the very average crumbles arrived we had 7 minutes to eat them...we would've liked a coffee, but nobody even bothered asking...what would've happened had we decided to have starters and make it a 3-course dining experience...in 1 hour and 15 minutes ? The Tolly really needs to review its time slots and should stop trying to set records for how many people they can serve in the shortest time possible.
We, however, won't be needing another slot again as there are better places in a far more relaxed setting to enjoy a laid-back lunch.
Written March 2, 2025
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Team Tolly
Thank you for taking the time to share your experience with us. We’re really sorry to hear that your visit didn’t meet your expectations, and we truly appreciate your honest feedback.
To clarify, when booking online, a confirmation email is sent that outlines the allocated time for the table, which helps us manage bookings efficiently, especially on busy Sundays. We always strive to provide a relaxed and enjoyable dining experience, and we’re sorry if this felt rushed. We completely understand that a leisurely lunch is an important part of the dining experience, and we’ll take your comments on board as we continue to review our time slots.
Regarding the service, we apologise for the delays in getting water and drinks to your table. Sundays are particularly busy, but that’s no excuse—we want every guest to feel well looked after. We also appreciate your feedback on the food and will pass your comments on to the kitchen team to ensure we maintain our high standards.
We’re truly sorry that we didn’t provide the experience you were hoping for, and while we regret that you won’t be returning, we do appreciate your visit and feedback. If you’d like to discuss your experience further, we’d love the opportunity to make things right.
Thank you again for your time
Written March 5, 2025
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
ScottyDee
Northampton1 contribution
Dec 2024 • couples
Reading other reviews and seeing that ‘The Tolly’ was voted pub of the year, expectations were reasonably high for our visit for Sunday lunch.
We were looking forward to a memorable meal and experience, one we’d be happy to share with friends and family.
Unfortunately those expectations were sadly missed after our disappointing experience and very average meal.
The pâté starter was great (but that’s made by someone else), but the main courses were very disappointing. The vegetables (the few that were on the plate) had clearly been over cooked as were the roast potatoes. I’m guessing they’d been prepared and cooked a lot earlier in the day. The sad looking plate of food was carefully hidden under a huge over cooked Yorkshire pudding.
The atmosphere is ‘cosy’, but that’s mainly because they’ve managed to pack as many tables into the restaurant space as possible. Obviously maximising the covers but also making you feel like a Sardine!
Clearly the number of covers they get through during a service is important here, from ordering to paying our bill took all of 50 minutes. It all felt a bit too rushed.
Looking at other reviews we could have just been unlucky with our experience, as ours didn’t mirror what the majority think of this place and the food served.
But I can’t help but feel that The Tolly is a bit over hyped and I’m not sure we’ll be back.
Written December 14, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jamie A
17 contributions
Oct 2024 • family
We visited today, all hype and very poor to be honest
Starters - sausage roll was as small as the ones you get in a frozen snack pack
Mains beef fatty, potatoes too hard, veg decent
Kids cheese burger wasn’t in a burger bun just some random segment of bread that was dry
Pork was over done
Waitress thought was £2 extra to make it gluten free but that’s was actually the price to have beef or pork
Didn’t bother with puddings for £9!
We’re pushed out of table unceremoniously and the bill was incorrect, very arrogant and rude fella in charge needs to remember remember repeat customer are key!
Written October 20, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
MrWinstonWolf
England69 contributions
Jul 2024 • couples
We visited the Tollemache Arms today for lunch. Although we’ve had good experiences here in the past, today was disappointing. We were given a menu to choose our lunch while we enjoyed our drinks. After about 10-15 minutes, the waiter came to take our order. However, he rudely told us, “wrong menu,” snatching away the one we had been given upon arrival. There was no apology, and his surly manner was entirely unnecessary, making it seem as if their mistake was our fault.
The replacement menu offered limited choices, and the prices were higher. We reluctantly chose something from the minimal menu after being bluntly informed that we couldn't order the King Prawns from the original menu. We selected a feta cheese starter, which was overly salted and would have benefitted from some bread. It was also disappointingly small. For mains, we had roast pork, which was rather fatty, and fish and chips. Both meals were average at best—not great, but not terrible either.
In the end, we had two subpar meals and a bad experience for over £60. While we were there, I overheard another customer complaining to the same surly waiter, who responded rudely once again. Sadly, this establishment has declined since our last visit, and the staff's disdain for their customers is disheartening. We won’t be returning. I recommend alternative pubs like The Red Lion in Cranford or the Snooty Fox in Lowick for great food and even better service.
Written July 14, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Paul D
Haversham4 contributions
Aug 2024 • couples
Firstly on a good note, the staff were excellent, very friendly and accommodating. The premises are lovely with a great garden space overlooking the countryside. The newly built outside eating space and TV a great addition. However the menu provided did not appear to match the advertised one on the website? The menu was very limited. Without going into too much detail, the food was at best average, and in our opinion expensive for what you actually get. Also items that you would expect with the high priced meal were extras! In conclusion, a great place for a drink albeit still a bit pricey in comparison to competitors. The actual menus online need to match what is actually on offer when you get there? Prices and quantity of food need to be addressed otherwise it could spell trouble. Having been to the Tolle on a number of occasions in the past few years, the total experience was better before.
Written August 2, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Duncantheger
Corby117 contributions
Jul 2024 • couples
Two couples booked for evening meal. The restaurant was very busy. Nice friendly welcome from the staff. The surroundings are very nice.
The steak pie came with a vegetable and gravy but no potatoes. Potatoes were extra. Asked if we could have mash and was offered what I think was described as new potatoes crushed with a masher or fork or something !
One of our party had the gammon steak, came with a small portion of chips and salad. For £22 I would expect an egg or pineapple as well.
Another guest had the hanging steak. Not a cut we had heard of. It was a very flat steak with again a small portion of chips. I had the rump steak at £24. It was nice
The drinks are expensive,. A pint of lager was between £6.50 and £6.90.
£22/24 in my opinion isn’t expensive for a nice beef or gammon steak with the trimmings. Steak pie and gravy should have mash or potatoes .The food at best for the prices charged is mediocre with small portions.
Our group opinion is that the Tollemache is a bit pretentious.
Won’t be returning
Written July 31, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
SHH
2 contributions
Jan 2025 • family
Extremely disappointed by the food, chicken was inedible, pale rubbery and tasteless! The pork was almost boiled , no flavour and no crispy crackling as described , the beef was good, the vegetables were terrible, 2 bits of brocolli, tasteless red cabbge. We ordered the allotment veg as extra and it was just more broccoli! The potatoes tasted as if they had been cooked refrigerated and then cooked again! Really not a pleasant experience
Written February 2, 2025
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Joe Buckley
We’re very sorry to hear that your experience with us was disappointing. We take great pride in the quality of our food, and it’s concerning to hear that it didn’t meet your expectations. Your feedback regarding your roasts has been noted, and we’ll be reviewing this with our kitchen team to ensure improvements are made.
We truly appreciate you bringing this to our attention, and we’d love the opportunity to make things right. If you’d be willing to discuss this further, please reach out to us at info@thetolly.co.uk.
We do hope to welcome you back for a much better experience in the future.
Thanks
Cameron
Written February 5, 2025
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Charles S
Northamptonshire1041 contributions
Mar 2023 • family
We have enjoyed our family visits to the Tollemache Arms. This attractive pub is situated on the corner of High Street and Church Lane in Harrington. Everything about the pub is quality, from the entrance to the dining comfort and experience to the attentive serving staff. The menu is excellent with prices more to top restaurant levels than to a public house, including starters circa £7, Burgers circa £15.50, Classic Favorites circa £16.50 and Grills circa £20.50. The highlight for us on each occasion was the serving staff, they are exceptionally friendly and attentive, constantly providing a top quality service to diners throughout from arrival to departure. The Tollemache Arms continues to win awards on a regular basis, a visit is absolutely essential and highly recommended to find out why!
Written July 19, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
CWhite1307
62 contributions
Jun 2024 • couples
We’ve been to the Tolly a few times now in the past and have always had a lovely meal. We recently took part in their Kickstart campaign to raise money to renovate the pub, in exchange for a banquet meal. We attended tonight and had a fantastic time. The service from the staff was absolute spot on, the 6 courses were all delicious and the drinks they were paired with went down a treat. The atmosphere was fabulous, well worth the money & a much better time had than going to other local food places to us for their tasting menu experience.
All in all, we’ll definitely return but if this was put on again as a special banquet, I’d 100% do it again!
Such a great night, thank you Joe & staff
Written June 28, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
2xJK
Peterborough1 contribution
Sep 2023 • couples
Very nice location with a well designed interior. The bar area was small and cosy and perfect for our pre-dinner drink. Having said that, £8 for a G&T seems steep even in these straitened times.
We opted for the chicken burger which my wife thoroughly enjoyed. I had the sea bass with crushed potatoes and a crab sauce. The fish was a little on the dry side and the speed of service suggested it had been pre-cooked before plating. The crab sauce, if tasted on its own was very delicate but, with the potatoes and the fish, it proved too delicate and was completely lost.
Service was friendly, attentive and exactly what you'd hope for.
One drawback, which really shouldn't happen, was that our tabletop was very sticky. Not dirty but, I suspect, the result of layers of cleaning product build-up not being properly removed.
It was good to see the manager coaching his staff in a calm and supportive manner whilst we were in the bar and that bodes well for the future.
All in all, though, it was a pretty decent meal for the money and somewhere we'd, likely, return to.
Written October 1, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Inspire733444
Loddington16 contributions
Nov 2024 • family
The best Sunday lunch I’ve had for a very long while.
The roast beef was exceptional, beautifully rare and the accompanying vegetables were delicious plus ….. a decent jug of gravy left on the table!
Starters and puddings were equally fab and the service was friendly and prompt
Overall excellent and will definitely return .
Written November 24, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Mrs S S
Northampton9 contributions
Dec 2023 • couples
I rarely take the time or the trouble to write reviews however praise where praise is due and the Tollemarche Arms certainly deserves my time and trouble.
We had the Christmas lunch today at the Tolly. Three excellent courses cooked to perfection. The chef even took the trouble to come to our table to check we were happy with our meals. The waiting staff were very attentive to our needs making our dining experience a most enjoyable event. Full marks! Keep up the good work.
Written December 18, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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