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In the heart of Northamptonshire and against the undulating countryside lies the small village of Harrington. Sitting within the Welland Valley, just 30 minutes north of Northampton, the village has stretches of farmland and narrow lanes, alongside warm, honey-hued stone cottages, farmhouses and country houses.

The Church of St Peter and St Paul takes centre stage in the quaint village, along with the Warner’s Distillery Ltd, famous for its farm-grown gins. But what really sets Harrington apart, despite its tiny population of 154 residents, is its award-winning pub, the Tollemache Arms.

Affectionally known as ‘The Tolly’, the Tollemache Arms in Harrington has been named as a ‘Pub of the Year’ by VisitEngland in its 2026 Awards for Excellence, after securing bronze in the sought-after category. The 17th-century pub, with its traditional thatched roof and open fire, offers an elevated menu of locally sourced food for a quintessential British pub experience.

They pride themselves on being a “thatched gem in the heart of Northamptonshire”, which feels more like home than any other country pub. “The kind of place you’d proudly call your local, and what many say is the best pint of Guinness around,” they noted on its website.

Their beer is poured from Charles Wells and Brewpoint, while their gins are, of course, from Warner’s Distillery in the village. On the menu in the pub, visitors can expect to devour the flavours of traditional pub dishes with an elegant and seasonal twist, from small plates and steaks to beer-battered haddock and Harissa beef skewers.

Its setting is just as inviting as the menu, with exposed brick walls and chic furnishings, along with a gorgeous outdoor terrace – perfect for savouring the sunshine. The bar area floods with light from its Velux windows, framed by wooden beams, while brown leather seats and a patterned floor create a snug yet sophisticated space to catch up with friends over a G&T!

Offering a closer insight into life in Harrington, Visit Northamptonshire shares: “The village’s rural setting continues to define everyday life. Footpaths and bridleways cross the surrounding fields and connect Harrington with neighbouring villages, offering views across open countryside typical of northern Northamptonshire.

“The nearby former railway line between Northampton and Market Harborough, once served by Lamport and Harrington station, is another reminder of the area’s changing transport links and the role the railway once played in connecting rural communities.”

While The Tollemache Arms secured a bronze ranking in the prestigious Visit England awards, there were two more notable pubs. Taking silver for ‘Pub of the Year’ was The Tickled Trout, Barlow in Derbyshire, a two AA-Rosette gastropub, known for its blend of elevated pub dishes and innovative specials.

Scooping up gold was The Kirkstyle Inn and Sportsman’s Rest in Slaggyford, known for its position in “the middle of nowhere but at the centre of everything”. It offers four beautifully decorated and spacious en-suite bedrooms, alongside a thriving culinary scene with a pub that prides itself on using local produce from its estate and local hill farmers in a “field-to-fork philosophy”.

VisitEngland’s ‘Pub of the Year’

• Gold: The Kirkstyle Inn and Sportsman’s Rest, Northumberland
• Silver: The Tickled Trout, Barlow, Derbyshire
• Bronze: The Tollemache Arms, Northamptonshire

VisitEngland Director Andrew Stokes said: “The awards are a celebration of England’s outstanding tourism industry and an opportunity to highlight the excellence that makes it world-leading.

“From a hands-on, traditional blacksmith’s visitor experience in the Midlands and a castle hotel and spa set in one of our national parks to accessible and inclusive holidays, these awards showcase the exceptional quality, unparalleled customer service and innovation that drive our industry.

“I congratulate the wonderful range of first-class award recipients, all of whom are so passionate about tourism. They are all deserving winners.”