Harden's survey result
Summary
“Always a favourite”, this 17th-century country inn is a “lovely old” place – “at least in the bar and older parts” (there being a “less lovely modern bit on the back built to take advantage of the location with fine views over Rutland Water”). The “food is pretty much standard gastropub fare”, but makes for handy refuelling before a walk round the reservoir.
Summary
“A lovely old pub in the bar and more ancient parts (the newer additions are slightly less appealing – tip: avoid the dining room and stay in the original section if you can!)” – this characterful inn with its great Rutland Water setting put in a “less checkered” performance this year. That said, standards can still be “more ordinary than in the past – pleasant enough” and “readers are advised to be cautious in their expectations!”. “Beautiful walks for after a meal though!”
Summary
A “lovely old pub” in scenic Hambleton near Rutland Water that’s “at its best if one eats in the bar and older part of the building, in front of a log fire (the newer additions seem less appealing)”. Over many years, it’s provided “a classic ‘curate's egg’ experience. It has a great location and if all goes well it’s a great experience. But sadly service and quality can vary quite a lot. And, as is the case for many establishments today, they no longer wish to offer a simple single lunch dish – good for their profitability but less good for the casual diner”. At best, the food’s “interesting”. At worst “service is awful, and as to the view from the dining room… well, there is no view!”. Whatever your experience, “there are lovely walks from the pub to walk it off!”
Summary
In picturesque Hambleton, a seventeenth-century pub enjoying a “lovely location with views of Rutland Water from the terrace” and a “really nice old pub” feel in the original parts of the building (“modern additions are less successful”). The “interesting menus usually offer good cooking at fair prices for the quality”, but “the big letdown in recent times has been the service, which is very poor…hopefully this can be resolved as the place deserves better”.
For 33 years we've been curating reviews of the UK's most notable restaurant. In a typical year, diners submit over 50,000 reviews to create the most authoritative restaurant guide in the UK. Each year, the guide is re-written from scratch based on this survey (although for the 2021 edition, reviews are little changed from 2020 as no survey could run for that year).
Have you eaten at Finch’s Arms?
Oakham Rd, Hambleton, LE15 8TL
Restaurant details
Prices
| Availability | 2 courses | 3 courses |  |
 |
 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Always | £28.00 | £32.00 |  |
|
|
Traditional European menu
| Starter | Main | Pudding |
|---|---|---|
| £8.00 | £24.50 | £9.00 |
| Drinks |
|
|---|---|
| Wine per bottle | £23.95 |
| Filter Coffee | £0.00 |
| Extras |
|
|---|---|
| Service | 10.00% |
Oakham Rd, Hambleton, LE15 8TL
| Number of Diners: | |
| Required Time: | |
Opening hours
| Monday | 12 pm‑2:30 pm, 6 pm‑9 pm |
| Tuesday | 12 pm‑2:30 pm, 6 pm‑9 pm |
| Wednesday | 12 pm‑2:30 pm, 6 pm‑9 pm |
| Thursday | 12 pm‑2:30 pm, 6 pm‑9 pm |
| Friday | 12 pm‑2:30 pm, 6 pm‑9 pm |
| Saturday | 12 pm‑5 pm, 6 pm‑9 pm |
| Sunday | 12 pm‑7 pm |
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