Northamptonshire has been brewing and serving beer for centuries. Pickering Phipps started in Towcester in 1801, the NBC brewery once dominated the Northampton skyline, and the county’s ironstone villages have sheltered pubs since before anyone thought to write them down. That heritage has not disappeared. It has evolved into a scene that now includes revived Victorian brewhouses, German-style lager specialists, experimental craft producers, and village pubs where the cask ale is kept as well as anywhere in England.
This guide covers the best pubs, taprooms, breweries and real ale destinations across the county, from CAMRA-listed institutions to recently opened brewery taps. We have organised them by area so you can build a pub trail through any part of Northamptonshire, whether you are after a proper pint in a thatched village local or a flight of sours at a modern taproom.
All details were accurate at time of research in March 2026. Opening hours and beer selections change frequently, so we recommend checking directly with each venue before visiting.
Northampton and Surrounding Villages
Northampton’s pub scene stretches from the old brewing quarter around Bridge Street to the independent cafes-turned-taprooms of the town centre, and out into a ring of villages where some of the county’s finest gastropubs and country locals are found. The town has been a brewing centre since the early nineteenth century, and that heritage is alive in the glass at Phipps NBC and the Malt Shovel Tavern.
Malt Shovel Tavern
Type: Historic pub
Grade II listed pub at 121 Bridge Street, directly opposite the site of the old Phipps brewery, now the Carlsberg plant
Serves up to eight cask ales at any time, most sourced from local and regional microbreweries
At least one dark beer is always available on handpump, alongside three real ciders
Also stocks Belgian draught and bottled beers for those wanting something continental
Multiple winner of Northamptonshire CAMRA Pub of the Year and East Midlands Regional Pub of the Year
Featured in the CAMRA Good Beer Guide for over a decade
Blues night on the first Wednesday of every month; regular quiz nights
A compact, no-frills pub where the focus is entirely on what comes out of the handpumps
Address: 121 Bridge Street, Northampton NN1 1QF
Website:https://maltshoveltavern.com/
How to book: Walk in; no reservations
The Malt Shovel Tavern is the pub that real ale enthusiasts in Northamptonshire measure others against. Its position on Bridge Street, opposite where the Phipps brewery once stood, gives it a direct line to the county’s brewing past, and the eight handpumps rotating through local and regional cask ales keep that connection alive. The Belgian beer selection adds an unexpected dimension, and the monthly blues night brings the small room to life. It is not trying to be anything other than a very good pub, and it succeeds completely.
Phipps NBC Albion Brewery Bar
Type: Brewery and bar
Restored Victorian brewhouse at 54 Kingswell Street, reviving the Phipps brewing name forty years after the original Bridge Street brewery closed
Returned to Northampton in 2014, brewing resumed in March of that year in the back-converted Albion Brewery
Eight handpumps serve home-brewed Phipps ales alongside Saxby’s real cider from Farndish
An oak and glass partition lets you watch the brewing process from your bar stool
The brewery’s history dates to 1801, when Pickering Phipps started brewing in Towcester
Live music most weekends; wholesome pub food served alongside the beer
Open Wednesday to Sunday; closed Monday and Tuesday
Brewery tours available by arrangement
Address: 54 Kingswell Street, Northampton NN1 1PR
Website:https://www.phipps-nbc.co.uk
How to book: Walk in for the bar; contact for brewery tours
Phipps is the brewery that came back from the dead. When Watney Mann demolished the Bridge Street site in the 1970s to build a Carlsberg lager plant, Northampton lost a brewing tradition that stretched back to the Regency era. The 2014 revival in the Albion Brewery brought it home, and the glass wall between bar and brewhouse is a genuine feature: you can see the copper vessels and smell the mash while you drink the results. The live music at weekends adds energy, but the beer is the real draw.
Maule Collective
Type: Craft beer bar
Brewery tap for Maule Brewing Company at 4 Derngate, in a former butcher’s shop facing the Guildhall
Opened in 2019 with Scandinavian industrial décor layered over original ceramic floors and tiled walls
Primarily serves Maule’s own craft beers: Lucky IPA, Wonder Pale Ale, Dark Maule Oatmeal Stout and rotating specials
Also stocks guest craft beers and a short cocktail list including Negronis and espresso martinis
DJs play vinyl records on weekend evenings, focused on soul, disco and boogie
Cans and mini kegs available to take away
Large glass frontage with views of the Guildhall
Open Wednesday to Sunday from late afternoon
Address: 4 Derngate, Northampton NN1 1UB
Website:http://maulebrewing.com/maule-collective-bar/
How to book: Walk in
Maule Collective occupies the intersection between craft brewery tap and neighbourhood bar. The former butcher’s shop has been thoughtfully converted, retaining the original tiling while adding the kind of clean-lined Scandinavian aesthetic that makes the room feel contemporary without trying too hard. The beer list leans towards the hoppy and the dark, with the Oatmeal Stout a particular standout, and the vinyl DJs at weekends keep the atmosphere interesting without overwhelming conversation.
The Hopping Hare
Type: Gastropub
Family-owned pub on Harlestone Road, where Northampton meets the countryside
Holds two AA Rosettes for its modern British cooking using seasonal, locally sourced ingredients
Head chef Grant Wentzel hand-picks his suppliers and knows how the meat is reared and the fish caught
Well-kept cask ales on handpump, including regularly rotating guest beers
Large garden with outdoor seating; dog-friendly in the bar area
Also offers boutique accommodation with individually designed rooms
Sunday roasts are particularly popular and book up in advance
A strong option for anyone who wants excellent food alongside their pint
Address: 18 Harlestone Road, Northampton NN5 6LH
Website:https://hoppinghare.com/
How to book: Via the website or phone
The Hopping Hare proves that a pub can serve two-Rosette food without losing its identity as a place to drink. The bar area retains the feel of a proper local, with handpumps and comfortable seating, while the dining room delivers dishes built on carefully sourced ingredients. The garden catches the afternoon sun and the rooms upstairs mean you do not need to worry about driving home. It bridges the gap between gastropub and country local better than most.
The Red Lion, East Haddon
Type: Village pub
Award-winning food-led pub in the quiet village of East Haddon, a few miles northwest of Northampton
Focuses on British cooking using local, seasonal produce from named Northamptonshire suppliers
Manicured gardens with valley views; intimate lounge with log fires in winter
Well-kept real ales alongside an extensive wine list
Open seven days a week from 10am to 11pm, serving breakfast through to dinner
Also offers boutique accommodation in well-appointed rooms
Sunday roasts draw visitors from across the county; book ahead
A destination pub that has put its village firmly on the food map
Address: Main Street, East Haddon, Northampton NN6 8DB
Website:https://redlioneasthaddon.co.uk/
How to book: Via the website, OpenTable, or phone
The Red Lion has made East Haddon a destination, and it has done it without losing the feel of a village pub. The garden is one of the finest in the county, the fires in winter make the lounge feel like a sitting room, and the kitchen takes its local sourcing seriously enough that the menu changes with the seasons in ways you can actually taste. The real ales are well kept and chosen with care, making this as good a drinking pub as it is a dining one.
Althorp Coaching Inn, Great Brington
Type: Coaching inn
Sixteenth-century golden-stone thatched coaching inn on the main street of Great Brington, close to the Althorp Estate
Reopened in October 2022 after a three-year closure and full refurbishment
Named in the Good Pub Guide for its architectural features, food and sheltered garden
Well-kept real ales on handpump from regional breweries
Dog-friendly with a warm, traditional interior featuring original beams and stone walls
Sheltered garden at the rear, usable for much of the year
Serves lunch and dinner; check current opening days seasonally
The building’s age and proximity to Althorp make it a draw for visitors and locals alike
Address: Main Street, Great Brington, Northampton NN7 4JA
Website:https://www.althorpcoachinginn.co.uk/
How to book: Phone or walk in
The Althorp Coaching Inn is the kind of building that earns the word “historic” without needing to try. The thatch, the stone, the low ceilings and the original features have survived five centuries, and the 2022 refurbishment has been handled with a respect for all of it. The ales are well kept, the food is solid, and the garden at the back gives you somewhere to sit on a long summer evening. Its position near the Althorp Estate makes it a natural stop, but it would be worth visiting even without the Spencer connection.
The Swan at Lamport
Type: Country pub
Eighteenth-century ironstone pub overlooking the valley, directly across the road from Lamport Hall
Recently refurbished with a cosy bar, snug, roaring fires and a traditional dining room
The terrace and garden offer some of the best sunset views in the county
Seasonal menu changes every six months, with a separate steak and grill menu
Real ales on handpump alongside wines and spirits
Sunday roasts are well-regarded and should be booked ahead
Also runs a 2 for £16.95 midweek value menu
A proper country pub with the views to match
Address: Harborough Road, Lamport, Northampton NN6 9EZ
Website:https://www.theswanatlamport.co.uk/
How to book: Via the website or phone
The Swan earns its reputation through position as much as anything else. The view from the terrace across the Northamptonshire countryside is the sort of thing you photograph and send to friends in cities, and the bar area with its log fire is exactly the room you want to land in after a cold walk. The kitchen runs a seasonal menu that covers both comfort food and more refined dishes, and the real ales are a reliable accompaniment. If you only visit one country pub in the area, this one makes a strong case.
The Brampton Halt, Chapel Brampton
Type: Country pub
Country pub on Pitsford Road in Chapel Brampton, close to Pitsford Reservoir
Serves home-cooked food using fresh, seasonal and locally sourced ingredients
Well-kept real ales on handpump alongside a considered wine list
Attractive garden for outdoor drinking in warmer months
Dog-friendly and welcoming to families
A natural stopping point for walkers and cyclists using the Brampton Valley Way or Pitsford Reservoir paths
Combines classic pub favourites with more refined seasonal dishes
Open for lunch and dinner; check current opening hours
Address: Pitsford Road, Chapel Brampton, Northampton NN6 8BA
Website:https://thebramptonhalt.co.uk/
How to book: Phone or walk in
The Brampton Halt benefits from its position at the point where Chapel Brampton gives way to the reservoir and the open countryside beyond. Walkers, cyclists and dog owners converge here, and the pub handles all three groups without making any of them feel like an afterthought. The real ales are properly kept, the food is honest and well made, and the garden catches enough sun to make it a genuine draw in summer.
Coach and Horses, Brixworth
Type: Village pub
Golden Northamptonshire stone country inn in Brixworth, dating back to the 1700s
Once renowned as having the fastest change of horses on the coaching route
Rated as one of the top ten real ale pubs in the UK by Tripadvisor
Serves Thwaites Wainwright and Wychwood Hobgoblin Gold as regular cask ales
Four-star bed and breakfast accommodation available
Food served Monday to Saturday noon to 2:30pm and 5pm to 8pm, Sunday noon to 7pm
Close to the Saxon church of All Saints, one of the most significant pre-Norman buildings in England
Dog-friendly with ample parking
Address: Harborough Road, Brixworth, Northampton NN6 9BX
Website:https://www.coachandhorsesbrixworth.co.uk/
How to book: Via the website or phone
Brixworth is worth visiting for the Saxon church alone, and the Coach and Horses gives you somewhere excellent to sit afterwards. The building has the warm golden stone that defines the best Northamptonshire village architecture, and the interior retains the character of an inn that has been serving travellers since horse-drawn coaches stopped to change their teams. The real ales are well kept and the food is reliable, making this a strong village pub for anyone touring the area north of Northampton.
The Four Pears, Little Houghton
Type: Village pub
Boutique pub and restaurant in the village of Little Houghton, east of Northampton
Set in a former farmhouse with a modern bar area and courtyard garden
Seasonal menu using locally sourced ingredients, with dishes ranging from bar snacks to full mains
Selection of cask ales, craft beers, wines and spirits
Child-friendly and dog-friendly throughout
The courtyard garden is sheltered and well maintained
Open for lunch and dinner; check current opening days
A polished village pub that balances quality food with a relaxed drinking atmosphere
Address: 4 Bedford Road, Little Houghton, Northampton NN7 1AB
Website:https://www.thefourpears.com/
How to book: Via the website or phone
The Four Pears has taken a former farmhouse in Little Houghton and turned it into a pub that works equally well for a quiet pint in the bar or a proper dinner in the restaurant. The courtyard is a strong asset in summer, and the seasonal menu shows a kitchen that takes its ingredients seriously without overcomplicating the cooking. It sits in the growing category of Northamptonshire village pubs where the quality of the food matches the quality of the beer.
North and East Northamptonshire
The Nene Valley corridor running from Wellingborough through Thrapston to Oundle is the richest stretch of pub and brewery country in Northamptonshire. The market town of Oundle alone has a working brewery, a waterside taproom and a historic hotel bar, while the villages between Kettering and Corby shelter some of the county’s most awarded gastropubs and country locals.
The Tollemache Arms, Harrington
Type: Gastropub
Award-winning thatched country pub on the High Street of Harrington, between Northampton and Market Harborough
Named Gastropub of the Year at the Weetabix Northamptonshire Food & Drink Awards 2023
Won East Midlands Pub and Bar of the Year at the National Pub & Bar Awards 2023
Winner of the Great British Pub Awards 2024
Serves casual dining British cuisine using locally sourced seasonal produce
Real ales on handpump alongside an extensive wine and spirits list
Open Tuesday to Sunday for lunch and dinner; closed Mondays
Booking recommended for Friday and Saturday evenings and Sunday lunch
Address: High Street, Harrington, Northampton NN6 9NU
Website:https://www.thetolly.co.uk/
How to book: Via the website or phone
The Tollemache Arms has swept through regional and national awards over the past three years with a consistency that suggests the kitchen and bar are operating at a genuinely high level. The thatched building has the charm you would expect from a Northamptonshire village pub, with real fires and low ceilings, and the food walks the line between comfort and ambition. The ales are well chosen and well kept, and the service is warm without being fussy. It is the kind of pub that justifies a twenty-minute drive from anywhere in the county.
The Snooty Fox, Lowick
Type: Gastropub
Sixteenth-century former manor house in the village of Lowick, styled as Northamptonshire’s answer to steak and seafood
Signature dish: the Snooty Fox Steak and Lobster, a 6oz fillet with lobster tail
Dry-aged steaks supplied by Aubrey Allen, holders of the Royal Warrant
Fresh, sustainably sourced fish and shellfish delivered regularly
A self-service beer wall lets you try multiple craft and cask beers without committing to a full pint
Won gold in the Booker Dining Venue of the Year category at the Weetabix Northamptonshire Food & Drink Awards
Open for lunch and dinner; booking essential at weekends
The building retains the low ceilings and stone walls of its manor house origins
Address: Main Street, Lowick, Kettering NN14 3BH
Website:https://thesnootyfoxlowick.co.uk/
How to book: Via the website or OpenTable
The Snooty Fox has carved out a specific niche and owns it completely. The steak and seafood focus gives the kitchen a clarity that more diffuse menus lack, and the sourcing, Aubrey Allen for the beef, fresh shellfish delivered regularly, backs up the promise. The beer wall is a clever addition that encourages exploration, and the sixteenth-century building provides the kind of atmosphere that modern venues spend fortunes trying to replicate. It is a pub that happens to serve restaurant-quality food, which is the right way around.
The Falcon Inn, Fotheringhay
Type: Village pub
Village pub in Fotheringhay, near Oundle, named Northamptonshire Dining Pub of the Year by the Good Pub Guide
Set in one of England’s most historically significant villages, next to the church associated with Mary Queen of Scots
Conservatory restaurant overlooking the garden towards the River Nene
Modern British food using seasonal, locally sourced ingredients; menu changes regularly
Well-kept real ales and a considered wine list
Also offers accommodation in well-appointed rooms
The village and surrounding Nene Valley walks make it a strong full-day destination
Booking recommended for dinner and Sunday lunch
Address: Main Street, Fotheringhay, Peterborough PE8 5HZ
Website:https://www.thefalcon-inn.co.uk
How to book: Via the website or phone
Fotheringhay carries the weight of English history more heavily than almost any village in the county, and The Falcon handles that setting with confidence. The food is modern British with enough seasonal variation to reward repeat visits, the ales are well kept, and the conservatory dining room extends the interior towards the garden and the river beyond. As a lunch stop on a walk along the Nene, or as a dinner destination reached by car, it earns its Good Pub Guide recognition.
Queens Head, Bulwick
Type: Village pub
Traditional stone-built village pub in Bulwick, between Corby and Oundle
Former Northamptonshire Dining Pub of the Year, with a longstanding reputation for quality food
Set in a quiet, unspoilt village with views across open countryside
Serves real ales alongside a wine list chosen to complement the food
The bar retains a proper pub atmosphere separate from the dining area
Garden seating available in warmer months
Open for lunch and dinner; check current opening days
A good stopping point on a drive between Corby and the Nene Valley
Address: Main Street, Bulwick, Corby NN17 3DY
Website:https://www.thequeensheadbulwick.co.uk
How to book: Via the website or phone
The Queens Head sits in one of the quieter corners of Northamptonshire, and the village of Bulwick has the kind of unassuming beauty that rewards the effort of finding it. The pub balances a proper drinking bar with a dining room that has earned serious recognition, and the setting, looking out over stone walls and fields, adds a sense of occasion that does not cost anything extra. It is worth the detour from the A43.
Kings Arms, Thrapston
Type: Historic pub
Seventeenth-century Grade II listed freehouse in the centre of Thrapston’s market town
Fully independent, family-run pub with no brewery ties
Major refurbishment completed in spring 2022 following a fire, restoring the building while adding modern comforts
Serves three changing cask ales alongside lagers, gins and cocktails
Freshly prepared homemade food served in a two-roomed interior on different levels
Live music and events throughout the year
Dog-friendly and welcoming atmosphere
Central location on the High Street with easy access from the A14
Address: High Street, Thrapston NN14 4JJ
Website:https://www.kingsarmsthrapston.com/
How to book: Via the website or phone
The Kings Arms has bounced back from a serious fire with a refurbishment that respects the seventeenth-century bones of the building while making the interior feel fresh and comfortable. The independence matters: as a freehouse, the bar team can choose ales on merit rather than obligation, and the rotating selection reflects that freedom. The food is homemade and honest, and the split-level layout gives the pub a sense of distinct spaces without feeling divided.
Tap & Kitchen at Oundle Wharf
Type: Brewery and bar
Waterside restaurant and bar at Oundle Wharf, run by Nene Valley Brewery
Previously awarded Best Restaurant at the Northamptonshire Food & Drink Awards
Makes almost everything on site: pasta, puddings, chutneys, sauces, home-cured bacon and smoked meats
Full bar with Nene Valley Brewery beers on tap alongside guest ales and wines
Open daily for coffee, lunch, bar food and dinner
The wharf setting alongside the River Nene gives it genuine character
Group dining and private bookings available
The natural companion to a visit to the brewery shop next door
Address: Oundle Wharf, Station Road, Oundle PE8 4DE
Website:https://www.tapandkitchen.com/
How to book: Via the website or phone
Tap & Kitchen is the restaurant arm of the Nene Valley Brewery operation at Oundle Wharf, and the combination of freshly brewed beer and a kitchen that makes everything from scratch creates something greater than the sum of its parts. The waterside setting adds genuine atmosphere, and the food, honest, well made and unpretentious, matches the beer perfectly. On a summer evening with a pint of something brewed next door and a plate of house-smoked meat, it is hard to think of a better pub-adjacent experience in the county.
Nene Valley Brewery, Oundle
Type: Brewery and bar
Independent craft brewery at Oundle Wharf producing cask, keg, canned and bottled ales
Brewery shop open Fridays 4pm to 7pm and Saturdays 10am to 6pm, with tastings available
Brews over a dozen beers including Nene Valley Bitter, Blond Session Ale and seasonal specials
Most beers produced to be gluten-free, regularly tested below 20ppm
Core range spans traditional bitters to hoppy pale ales and experimental seasonals
Beer garden and taproom area for on-site drinking
Cans, bottles and draught beer available to take away
Tours and events run throughout the year
Address: Oundle Wharf, Station Road, Oundle PE8 4DE
Website:https://nenevalleybrewery.com/
How to book: Walk in for the shop; check website for tours
Nene Valley Brewery has established itself as one of the most consistent producers in the region, with a range broad enough to include something for traditionalists and hopheads alike. The Saturday shop visits are the best way to experience the full range, with tastings that let you work through the lineup before committing to a purchase. The gluten-free credentials are genuine rather than token, and the beer garden overlooking the wharf is a fine place to spend an hour.
Three Hills Brewing, Thrapston
Type: Brewery and bar
Small-batch craft brewery established in 2016, named after ancient communal tombs on the outskirts of Woodford village
Main taproom, The Way Station, located at Cosy Nook in Thrapston with up to twenty taps
Also operates a taproom in Rushden town centre in the former post office building
Specialises in fruited sours, pastry stouts, IPAs and barrel-aged beers
London taproom on the Bermondsey Beer Mile gives the brewery national visibility
Regular events including DJ nights, food truck collaborations and seasonal beer launches
Beers available in cans to take away from both Northamptonshire taprooms
One of the most inventive producers in the East Midlands craft beer scene
Address: Cosy Nook, Thrapston, Northamptonshire
Website:https://www.threehillsbrewing.com/
How to book: Walk in; check social media for events
Three Hills has built a reputation that extends well beyond Northamptonshire, partly through its Bermondsey taproom and partly because the beers are genuinely inventive. The Way Station in Thrapston runs twenty taps through a rotating selection that can include anything from a tart fruited sour to a rich barrel-aged stout, and the street food vendors who pop up regularly add sustenance to the drinking. If you are serious about craft beer, Three Hills is one of the most interesting things happening in the East Midlands.
Braybrooke Beer Company
Type: Brewery and bar
Specialist lager brewery on a farm near Market Harborough, founded in 2017 by three friends inspired by German brewing
Consultant and mentor is Stephan Michel, owner of Mahr’s Brau of Bamberg, Germany, founded in 1670
Imports malt from Germany, sources hops from a renowned farm in Tettnang, and uses fresh Bavarian yeast
Employs traditional German techniques: decoction mash, low and slow fermentation, minimum 30 days lagering
Core range: Keller, Helles and Pilsner, plus seasonal specials and collaborations
On-site brewery tap opened in 2025, serving Braybrooke lagers, coffee, pastries and more
Head brewer Mario Canestrelli works directly with the German mentor
A genuinely distinctive Northamptonshire producer making world-class lager
Address: Braybrooke Farm, near Market Harborough, Northamptonshire
Website:https://braybrookebeer.co/
How to book: Walk in for the tap; check website for hours
Braybrooke is doing something no one else in Northamptonshire is attempting: making German-style lager to a standard that would pass muster in Franconia. The connection to Stephan Michel and Mahr’s Brau is not a marketing story; it shapes every decision in the brewery, from the imported malt and hops to the extended lagering period that gives the beers their clean, balanced character. The new brewery tap brings the experience directly to the farm, and the Keller in particular is a beer worth driving for.
The Talbot Hotel, Oundle
Type: Coaching inn
Historic hotel in the heart of Oundle, rebuilt in 1626 using stone from Fotheringhay Castle
Features an oak staircase reputedly descended by Mary Queen of Scots before her execution
Bar serves real ales and a good selection of wines and spirits
Restaurant uses locally sourced ingredients with a modern British menu
34 individually styled bedrooms blending period architecture with modern comforts
Also operates as a coffee house during the day
Hosts regular events including murder mystery evenings and themed dinners
The building itself is an attraction; the bar is a fine place to sit with a pint and absorb the history
Address: New Street, Oundle PE8 4EA
Website:https://talbothotel.co.uk/
How to book: Via the website or phone
The Talbot is the kind of pub where the building tells a story before you have ordered your first drink. The stone from Fotheringhay Castle, the reputed Mary Queen of Scots staircase, and the 400-year-old architecture create an atmosphere that no amount of interior design can replicate. The bar serves well-kept ales in a room that has been hosting drinkers since the seventeenth century, and the hotel rooms make it a natural base for anyone spending a weekend in Oundle.
South and West Northamptonshire
The southern and western reaches of the county take in the market town of Towcester, the canal villages around Stoke Bruerne, and the rolling countryside between Daventry and the Warwickshire border. The pubs here tend towards the historic, with coaching inns, canalside locals and thatched village houses complemented by two of the county’s most interesting small breweries.
Towcester Mill Brewery
Type: Brewery and bar
Small, independent award-winning brewery housed in a Grade II listed 200-year-old watermill on Chantry Lane in Towcester
Brewery tap opened in early 2014, serving six cask beers from the brewery at any time
Usually two guest ales on tap plus two real ciders, with four additional craft (keg) ales available
Large beer garden with views over the Towcester meadow, the Easton Neston estate, and the mill pond and race that run through the site
The mill building and its waterside setting give the taproom genuine character
Beers and ciders available from the on-site shop to take home
Regular events including beer festivals and live music
A short walk from Towcester town centre and the Saracens Head
Address: Chantry Lane, Towcester NN12 6AD
Website:https://towcestermillbrewery.co.uk/
How to book: Walk in
Towcester Mill Brewery has made something special out of its Grade II listed watermill. The building’s age and the water running through the site give the taproom an atmosphere that purpose-built brewpubs cannot replicate, and the beer garden overlooking the meadow is one of the best outdoor drinking spots in south Northamptonshire. The six brewery cask ales are supplemented by guests and ciders, and the quality is consistent enough to have earned CAMRA recognition. Combined with the Saracens Head up the road, it makes Towcester a viable beer destination.
The Saracens Head, Towcester
Type: Coaching inn
Centuries-old coaching inn on Watling Street in Towcester, featured in Charles Dickens’ The Pickwick Papers
Twenty-one traditional en-suite bedrooms in various configurations
Bar serves real ales, wines and spirits in a room with genuine period character
Restaurant offers pub classics, steaks, sharing platters and lighter options
Close to Towcester Racecourse, Whittlebury Park and Silverstone Circuit
The Dickens connection gives the building real literary heritage
A practical base for anyone attending events at Silverstone
Open daily for food and drink
Address: 219 Watling Street, Towcester NN12 6BX
Website:https://www.greeneking.co.uk/pubs/northamptonshire/saracens-head-hotel
How to book: Via the website or phone
The Saracens Head is a proper coaching inn in the traditional sense: a building that has been receiving travellers on Watling Street for centuries and has the architectural character to prove it. The Dickens connection is genuine, the rooms are comfortable, and the bar, while now part of a larger chain, retains enough of the original building’s atmosphere to make a pint feel like something more than a transaction. Its position on the A5 makes it a natural stop on a journey through south Northamptonshire.
The Countryman, Staverton
Type: Country pub
Traditional inn in the village of Staverton, near Daventry, with low beamed ceilings and a relaxed atmosphere
Holds one AA Rosette for its cooking; inspectors described “elevated pub-style favourites”
Serves quality home-cooked dishes using fresh, seasonal, locally sourced ingredients
Well-kept real ales on handpump alongside an accessible wine list
Tripadvisor Travellers’ Choice Award winner for 2025
Log fires and warm, friendly service in a genuinely characterful building
Booking recommended for weekend dining
Combines the feel of a village local with food that punches above the average
Address: Staverton, Daventry NN11 6JH
Website:https://www.thecountrymanstaverton.co.uk/
How to book: Via the website or phone
The Countryman does what the best village pubs do: it makes you feel at home while serving food that is significantly better than it needs to be. The AA Rosette is well earned, with dishes that start from good ingredients and are cooked with genuine care, and the beamed interior with its log fires provides the kind of atmosphere that makes you want to stay for a second pint. The Staverton location, just outside Daventry, puts it within easy reach of the A425 and the surrounding villages.
Olde Coach House, Ashby St Ledgers
Type: Coaching inn
Refurbished village pub in Ashby St Ledgers, a village famous for its connection to the Gunpowder Plot of 1605
Reopened in 2024 after a major refurbishment following a period of closure since 2021
Fifteen guest rooms surrounded by quintessential English countryside
Retains original features including flagstone floors, low oak beams and exposed brickwork
Smart restaurant and private dining area alongside a cosy traditional bar
Part of the Freespirit Pub Company, an award-winning operator across the Midlands
Family and dog-friendly with log fires and ample outdoor seating
Close to Daventry and the A361
Address: Main Street, Ashby St Ledgers, Rugby CV23 8UN
Website:https://coachhouseatashbystledgers.co.uk/
How to book: Via the website or phone
Ashby St Ledgers is one of those villages that feels like it belongs in a period drama, and the Coach House’s refurbishment has given it a pub to match. The flagstone floors, beams and brickwork are original, and the new owners have layered comfortable modern touches on top without stripping out the character. The fifteen rooms make it a genuine overnight destination, and the Gunpowder Plot history of the village adds a layer of intrigue that few pub locations can offer.
The Boat Inn, Stoke Bruerne
Type: Canalside pub
Independent freehouse beside the Grand Union Canal at Stoke Bruerne, owned by the Woodward family since 1877
Thatched canalside bars occupy the oldest part of the building, retaining original stone floors and open fires
Serves four regular cask ales and three changing guest beers; Cask Marque accredited
Bistro and Woodward’s Restaurant offer food from breakfasts to evening meals
Located next to a working lock system, the Canal Museum and the entrance to Blisworth Tunnel
Open daily from 9:30am to 10:30pm
Garden and canalside seating with views of narrowboats passing through the lock
One of the most photographed pubs in Northamptonshire
Address: Stoke Bruerne, Towcester NN12 7SB
Website:https://boatinn.co.uk/
How to book: Walk in or phone
The Boat Inn occupies one of the most picturesque pub locations in the county. The Grand Union Canal runs past the front door, the lock gates operate within view of the bar, and narrowboats pass through constantly during the boating season. The Woodward family has run the pub since 1877, and the continuity shows in a venue that feels rooted in its location rather than imposed on it. The thatched bars with their stone floors and open fires are the main draw, and the cask ales are properly kept. On a warm afternoon, watching the boats with a pint of something local, it is easy to lose track of time.
The Walnut Tree Inn, Blisworth
Type: Village pub
Nineteenth-century former station hotel in the village of Blisworth, 400 yards from Bridge 49 on the Grand Union Canal
Eleven individually styled en-suite bedrooms
Modern British cooking using fresh ingredients; bread and ice cream made on the premises
Live music every Saturday night from 9pm, with acoustic sessions on the first Thursday of the month
Licensed for civil weddings and events, with function rooms for 10 to 120 guests
Real ales available alongside wines and spirits
Under new ownership since July 2025
Close to the canal towpath and Blisworth Tunnel, making it a good base for waterway exploration
Address: Station Road, Blisworth, Northampton NN7 3DS
Website:https://www.walnut-tree.co.uk/
How to book: Via the website or phone
The Walnut Tree has reinvented itself several times over the years, and the latest iteration under new ownership is positioning it as both a village pub and an events venue. The eleven bedrooms make it practical for overnight stays, the kitchen takes its cooking seriously enough to bake its own bread and churn its own ice cream, and the Saturday live music adds a social dimension that many village pubs lack. Its proximity to the canal at Blisworth gives it a natural audience of boaters and towpath walkers.
Roman Way Brewery, Weedon Bec
Type: Brewery and bar
Experimental micro-brewery in Building 79 at the historic Royal Ordnance Depot in Weedon Bec
Named after nearby Watling Street, the first Roman road built in Britain
Established in 2019 with an extensive and growing list of beers
Shop and taproom typically open on Fridays and Saturdays
Regular outdoor events with street food vendors and local musicians in the depot grounds
The historic military setting adds genuine character to the drinking experience
Beers available to buy and take away
A short drive from Daventry and easily accessible from the A5
Address: Building 79, The Old Depot, Bridge Street, Weedon Bec NN7 4PS
Website:https://romanwaybrewery.co.uk/
How to book: Walk in; check website and social media for events
Roman Way has found a setting that most breweries would dream of. The Royal Ordnance Depot at Weedon Bec was built to supply the British military, and the industrial brick buildings create an atmosphere that is genuinely distinctive. The brewing operation is experimental and growing, with a list that keeps expanding, and the Friday and Saturday taproom sessions in the depot grounds have developed a loyal following. The street food pop-ups are worth timing your visit around.
The Pytchley, West Haddon
Type: Country pub
Independent country house hotel, pub and restaurant on the High Street of West Haddon
Run by Chef/Proprietor Jim Demetri for over 35 years
Eighteen en-suite rooms with modern facilities
Well-regarded for chargrilled steaks, grills and home-cooked British food
Two main dining rooms and a bar/diner area where the handpumps are located
Real ales on handpump alongside wines and spirits
Family-friendly with a welcoming atmosphere
Conveniently located just four miles from junction 18 of the M1
Address: 23 High Street, West Haddon NN6 7AP
Website:https://www.thepytchley.co.uk/
How to book: Via the website or phone
Thirty-five years under the same chef-proprietor gives The Pytchley a consistency that newer establishments have to earn over time. Jim Demetri has built a reputation around his chargrilled steaks and honest British cooking, and the pub retains the feel of a personal operation rather than a corporate one. The eighteen rooms make it a practical overnight stop for anyone using the M1, and the bar, with its handpumps and relaxed atmosphere, is a genuine pub rather than a hotel lobby with beer taps.
Northamptonshire’s Brewing Heritage
The county’s brewing story begins in earnest with Pickering Phipps, who started his operation in Towcester in 1801 before opening a second brewery on Bridge Street, Northampton in 1817. The Northampton Brewery Company (NBC) grew alongside Phipps, and by the time the two merged in 1957, they controlled over 1,100 tied houses between them. That merger created a county-wide network of pubs that shaped the character of Northamptonshire drinking for decades.
The decline came swiftly. Watney Mann acquired the combined company in 1960, and by the early 1970s, the Bridge Street site was being demolished to make way for a Carlsberg lager plant. Ale production ended on 26 May 1974, and for forty years, the Phipps name existed only in memory. The revival in 2014, when brewing resumed at the Albion Brewery on Kingswell Street, closed that gap and reconnected Northampton with a tradition that had been interrupted but never truly broken.
Today, the county’s brewing scene is broader and more inventive than it has ever been. Phipps represents the heritage, Three Hills pushes the experimental boundaries, Braybrooke brings German precision to English farmland, Nene Valley and Towcester Mill anchor their respective towns, and Roman Way is still growing from its military depot base. The pubs that serve these beers, from CAMRA-listed institutions like the Malt Shovel to village locals across the county, are the places where that brewing tradition meets the glass.
Seasonal Highlights
Spring (March to May): Beer gardens reopen across the county, with The Swan at Lamport, The Boat Inn at Stoke Bruerne and the Towcester Mill Brewery garden among the first to fill. Braybrooke releases spring seasonal lagers, and the lighter ales from Nene Valley and Three Hills come into their own.
Summer (June to August): Oundle Food Festival in June features local breweries alongside food producers. Canal traffic peaks at Stoke Bruerne, making The Boat Inn livelier than at any other time of year. Outdoor events at Roman Way Brewery and Three Hills’ Way Station run through the summer months. The Northamptonshire Beer Festival, run by CAMRA, typically takes place in the summer.
Autumn (September to November): Darker beers return to handpumps across the county, with porters and stouts from Phipps, Maule and Three Hills leading the way. The CAMRA Good Beer Guide is published in September, and Towcester Mill Brewery often runs an autumn beer festival. Pub fires are lit again in village locals.
Winter (December to February): Log fires at The Tollemache Arms, The Countryman and the Althorp Coaching Inn make them strong choices for cold-weather drinking. Christmas ale specials appear from most county breweries. The Malt Shovel Tavern’s winter dark beer selection is worth seeking out.
A Note From NorthantsLife
Northamptonshire’s pub and real ale scene is in better health than it has been for decades. The combination of heritage breweries, innovative newcomers and properly run village pubs gives the county a drinking landscape that rewards exploration.
If anything in this guide has changed since publication, or if we have missed a pub or brewery that deserves to be here, we would like to hear from you. Drop us a message through the NorthantsLife website and we will update the guide accordingly.
Before You Go
Brewery taproom hours vary significantly: Phipps NBC, Maule Collective and Towcester Mill are open multiple days per week, while Roman Way and Braybrooke may be limited to Fridays and Saturdays
Book ahead for food at The Tollemache Arms, The Snooty Fox, The Falcon Inn and The Hopping Hare, all of which fill their dining rooms at weekends
If planning a brewery trail, the Oundle Wharf cluster (Nene Valley Brewery plus Tap & Kitchen) and the Northampton town centre trio (Malt Shovel, Phipps NBC, Maule Collective) are natural groupings
Designated drivers can pick up cans and bottles from most brewery taprooms; Nene Valley, Three Hills, Maule and Towcester Mill all sell takeaway beer
CAMRA’s Good Beer Guide 2026 lists 45 Northamptonshire pubs; the full list is available through CAMRA’s website or the printed guide
Several pubs in this guide offer accommodation: The Red Lion (East Haddon), The Falcon Inn (Fotheringhay), The Talbot (Oundle), The Pytchley (West Haddon), The Walnut Tree (Blisworth) and the Olde Coach House (Ashby St Ledgers)
Dog-friendly pubs are noted in individual entries; policies may vary between bar and restaurant areas, so check on arrival
Real ale quality can vary day to day; if a pint does not taste right, a good pub will replace it without question
