The UK village with the country’s best pub – with a famous gin distillery and piglet racing
A VILLAGE in Northamptonshire full of historic attractions and home to a famous gin has now been put on the map for another reason.
Harrington is a small village situated on the River Ise surrounded by beautiful countryside.
Among the things it’s famous for is The Tollemache Arms pub, which has just been crowned Great British Pub of the Year and Best Country Pub in the 2024 Great British Pub Awards.
The 17th century pub describes itself as “quintessentially British”.
Nicknamed ‘The Tolly’ by the owners and locals, the pub has recently been refurbished and offers a tasty menu with everything from sharing platters to handmade pizzas within a cosy setting.
In the summer, customers can enjoy drinks in its spacious garden. In winter, there’s a log fire to get cosy next to.
One customer that visited the pub in June this year wrote on Tripadvisor: “Cannot rate this lovely place highly enough. Amazing from start to finish.
“The welcome we got was the best I have probably ever had in a small pub.”
Among the drinks on offer at The Tolly is Warner’s gin, which gin fans may be familiar with.
Available to buy from Waitrose online, the gin is made at the Warner’s Distillery just down the road.
It’s produced in a 200 year old barn by husband and wife team Tom and Tina.
There’s a farm shop at the distillery selling all Warner’s products, which includes rhubarb gin and apple and pear gin.
Customers can also immerse themselves in a tasting tour, which includes a drink on arrival, tasting of its gins, rums, and other spirits, and a walking tour of the farm.
Harrington is also famed for its historic sites, such as Harrington Aviation Museum.
The museum, also known as the Carpetbagger Aviation Museum, is a great place to visit for those interested in World War II aviation history.
Highlights include a rare look at the secret work of the British Special Operations Executive from their RAF base at Tempsford.
Just a 15 minute drive away, families can enjoy sheep and piglet racing at West Lodge Farm Park.
The racing takes place daily and is a favourite attraction for those who visit regularly.
Visitors are even invited to try their hand at pig herding.
There are also a variety of beautiful walks and trails to enjoy around the farm, pony rides, and the chance to hold rabbits, guinea pigs, chicks and ducklings at certain times of year.
The farm is complete with an adventure playground, adventure golf, ride on tractors, and a ‘Barrell Ride’, which does a double circuit of the outdoor play area, making it the perfect day out for families with kids.
Great British Pub Awards 2024 winners
Overall Great British Pub of the Year & Best Country Pub – The Tollemache Arms, Harrington, Northamptonshire
Best Town Pub – Bull & Swan, Stamford, Lincolnshire
Best Pub for Dogs – Twenty9 Bar and Restaurant, Burnham Market, Norfolk
Best Pub for Entertainment – The Trafalgar Tavern, Greenwich, London
Best Pub for Food – Hinds Head, Bray, Berkshire
Best Pub Garden – Myrtle Tavern, Leeds, West Yorkshire
Best Pub to Watch Sport – The Gardeners Arms/Murderers, Norwich, Norfolk
Best Sustainable Pub – The Pig’s Head, London
Best Community Pub – The Swan, Windsor, Berkshire
Best Pub for Beer – The Tamworth Tap, Tamowrth, Staffordshire
Greene King Pub of the Year – The Cott Inn, Dartington, Devon
Admiral Taverns Pub of the Year – The Royal Oak, Brandon, Warwickshire
Marston’s Pub of the Year – Griffin Loughborough, Leicestershire
Stonegate Group Pub Partners Pub of the Year – The Gloucester Old Spot, Bristol
Punch Pub of the Year – The Red Lion, Cranford, Kettering