Wellingborough Restaurant Guide

“A nice old thatched pub just off the A14 with a considerable history of offering fine food and drink to locals and travellers alike”. Most feedback is positive, but the odd “inconsistent” or “disappointing” report this year dragged down its ratings average – perhaps the arrival of new landlord Stevie Norman a couple of years ago will steady the ship: he first worked here as a 17-year-old catering college student before spending 20 years at the highly rated Old Bridge Hotel in Huntingdon.

“Far and away an outstanding pub/restaurant in this part of the world” – this atmospheric and much commented-on 15th-century inn is “pitch-perfect in every way” after 20 years under Martyn & Jayne Lee’s direction, with “assured cooking for every course” – “we hadn’t been for a while and I would say the cooking has actually gone up a level”. Top Menu Tip – “the soufflés are truly amazing”.

Stephen & Tracey Fitzpatrick’s “popular” 16th-century pub-with-rooms in a village just outside Market Harborough has a traditional bar and a more modern dining room offering a "very good standard of cooking”. There’s enough going on to attract a regular crowd, such as “Monday’s ‘auberge’ nights, three courses for £22, which is packed with locals” (and “can get very noisy”).