Botolph Arms Pub in Peterborough

This pub has come a long way. It's a traditional pub which does some food but it is not the modern-day theme pub that is ‘dressed up to the nines’ and tries to be everything to everyone. A good selection of beers at reasonable prices and personable staff all helps. The atmosphere is positive and traditional and the two lads who run the pub work hard to keep it clean. The downside is not being able to take your dog into the pub now the autumn has arrived and the chain has stopped selling peanuts, a good seller I understand. Keep up the good work.

Kitchen shuts at 7pm so we went elsewhere. The place seems to be where locals go for a drink. Inside smells of stale beer. Probably wouldn't have stayed even if we hadn't missed the curfew. We haven't been here for many years it used to be very good. Won't be back.

I've partaken of many different ciders in my life but I have to say the cider reserve served at Samuel Smith's pubs is the best. Same delicious taste whichever pub you're at. The Botolph Arms is continuing that fine tradition. Keep it up guys!

Meeting there lovely accessible room Only had soft drinks and teas and coffees Advised by one of member food is available so will be meeting up on another day

The worse SUNDAY LUNCH EVER who serves Onion Gravy with Sunday lunch ( Luke warm at that) and not one menu insight to say it’s served with onion gravy it was Awful I return my dinner as for one I can’t eat onions the Pub itself is a disgrace we booked as we believed the reason it was shut for so long it was being renovated my advice STAY AWAY from Sunday Lunch Then as we left the barman was out Side having a smoke did he wash his hands when he went back to the bar?

Would Recommend the fish and chips great taste and great value.Cider on tap aint bad either.

Lovely Sunday roast beef lunch and homemade apple crumble and custard .. 😋 Definitely recommend, good service and staff friendly too!

Had an outstanding lunch here today. Exceptional value. We had fish and chip, lasagne and liver and onions. Staff friendly and loved the idea of no phones or loud music. A place to relax and have a conversation. Would love to be there on a really cold day as the fire places look really inviting. Well worth a visit.

Nice pub, good atmosphere, good prices and friendly staff

We hired a room for meeting and had drinks Service was quick reasonably In the summer it’s lovely to sit out in the grounds

Great service, good ale but seemed unfinished. Not really much decor. Have plenty of games and a No Mobile Phones policy, which is great! Nice enough place, though, would return.

A beautiful venue for lovely Sunday Roast dinner. I went there recently with my father. We both had roast beef which was served with a generous portion of roast potatoes and vegetables. The staff were very friendly and courteous.

Had a fabulous lunch here. We all chose something different and were very happy with what we had. The food was presented very well and tasted even better. We are looking forward to a return visit.

Went recently for Sunday lunch with a large group. The food was delicious, a really great roast dinner with a choice of meats, roast potatoes, vegetables, yorkshire puddings and lovely gravy at a very reasonable price. There is also a great choice of desserts. The staff there could not do enough for you. Will definitely be returning.

Great food, freshly cooked and fantastic service. Went the extra mile to get baked beans for my kids tea one night.

Great old fashioned pub, selling a good selection of drinks, especially the Sam Smith's cider. Great atmosphere, phones not recommended. Plenty of board games, pool and darts. I shall definitely be back.

Ladies and gentlemen.. I am pleased to let you all know this Gem of a pub is back on the map after a short shut down. I was pleasantly surprised that the pub was open for business. I have fond memories of the botolph arms.. right now in we go..love the ambience the open fire the old world feel.the drink is really reasonable at from .£2.40 up for a pint the barman chef and Ollie the joint owner were Friendly helpful and warm. I was tempted to try a roast potatoes cooked by Ollies own hand.. WOW amazing flavours crisp tasty. The I had to have the roast I was intrigued.. let's go .Pork' crackling roasties. Veg and the gravy was finger licking amazing. I thoroughly enjoyed it all. I've had a lot of roast dinners.. this is the number 1 . 58 years . This is the 1. Trust me you gotta try it.. see you there . Thanks Kyle and Ollie

Ladies and gentlemen.. I am pleased to let you all know this Gem of a pub is back on the map after a short shut down. I was pleasantly surprised that the pub was open for business. I have fond memories of the botolph arms.. right now in we go..love the ambience the open fire the old world feel.the drink is really reasonable at from .£2.40 up for a pint the barman chef and Ollie the joint owner were Friendly helpful and warm. I was tempted to try a roast potatoes cooked by Ollies own hand.. WOW amazing flavours crisp tasty. The I had to have the roast I was intrigued.. let's go .Pork' crackling roasties. Veg and the gravy was finger licking amazing. I thoroughly enjoyed it all. I've had a lot of roast dinners.. this is the number 1 . 58 years . This is the 1. Trust me you gotta try it.. see you there . Thanks Kyle and Ollie

Great surroundings and location lovely real fire and atmosphere

The lads are turning the pub fortunes back around.

We had a great lunch and get together We will be coming again very soon

Lovely pub but be wary that dogs are only welcome outside in the garden. Will be back sometime to check out food etc. Sadly with no dogs as during cold months you fancy the cosy pub atmosphere inside. Not the freezing cold garden.

Arrived around 12.30 for lunch Thursday 7 Sept. Lunch can be ordered from 1pm At 1.30 the person who cooks still had not turned up At 1.45 they turned up telling us that they still needed to heat the fryers up so cooking our order would take a while In the mean time two other couples that wanted food had left to go elsewhere Our food was served about 2.45 As lunch had not started well one would hope the food would make up for it Sadly the two Hunters chicken were burnt to a crisp the side salad was nice The lawn outside the pub looked far more appetising than the chicken Caesar salad I was served Onion rings were rock hard chips undercooked Staff apologetic and said they had only had kitchen open for a week!! That’s irrelevant If your serving food it needs to be of a consistent standard that customers can enjoy and want to return again and again Very disappointed

Got told off for using my phone while trying to invite others to join us at the pub. Then got kicked out for having dogs after being told that it was okay to “come through” I had high hopes for the re-opening of the botolph arms but feel like a mobile phone ban is very harsh and should be more of a suggestion than a heavily enforced rule. I cant complain about a pub not being dog friendly however feel like it is expected in the botolph given its… rough and durable decor. And it was embarrassing being accused of purposely breaking the no dogs rule after being told we could come through with them. Again, it’s a big shame about the pubs new direction and rules, especially as I frequently used to attended with my Splitscreen VW whenever there was a gathering there. I will unfortunately not be returning however this is more about the way we were challenged in a seemingly accusational manner that was unnecessarily rude. On the plus side, if you can overlook this, the ale is cheap and the food is good

No frills, neighborhood Sam Smith's pub. Great, simple ambience. You're not going to get gourmet here, but it's absolutely just fine. Good steak and ale pie. Great prices. Will continue to frequent.

Very nice welcoming pub, very friendly staff and a great pint of purebrew..

It's nice to go to a pub an everybody's talking chit chatting creates a good atmosphere

It's a SamSmiths pub...Rules are Rules...shame could be so much more..

Great pub fab food great staff :)

Great to see it back open. I wish them well. And they take cards now!

Great pub .Quite location . Had the Sunday lunch very tasty:) Gravy was delicious 😋 Great staff :) Recommend

Toilets stink, for a place that has so many rules you would think hygiene would be at least average. Over priced cheap beer.

Terrible pub, over priced terrible beer. Toilets incredibly stank. Exceptionally rude bar staff. When I mentioned about toilets I was told to leave in an extremely hostile manner. Not a pub. 100% do not recommend

I recently had the pleasure of visiting the Botolph Arms, the charming pub that has been under new management for the past ten weeks. From the moment I walked in, I was impressed by the warm and welcoming atmosphere that enveloped the place. Olly and his dedicated team have undoubtedly worked tirelessly to create an exceptional experience for their patrons. Their commitment to excellence is evident in every aspect of the pub. What truly sets them apart is their unwavering willingness to go above and beyond to ensure that every customer's needs are met. No request is too challenging for them, and their genuine enthusiasm for making guests feel at home is truly commendable. The prices at the Botolph Arms are a delightful surprise, offering incredible value without compromising on quality. This rare combination of affordability and excellence is a testament to the dedication of the new management. It's refreshing to find a place where you can enjoy a fantastic meal and drinks without breaking the bank. A highlight of my visit was undoubtedly the array of hot and cold bar snacks offered. The variety and taste of these snacks perfectly complement the pub's inviting ambiance and the wide selection of beverages available. Whether you're craving a quick bite or a more substantial treat, the Botolph Arms has you covered. In conclusion, the Botolph Arms, under Olly's leadership, has transformed into a haven for those seeking a memorable pub experience. The dedication, hard work, and passion of Olly and his team shine through in every detail. With reasonable prices, delectable bar snacks, and a welcoming atmosphere, this pub is a true gem that has quickly become a favorite for locals and visitors alike.

Welcome back to the Botolph Thank you ,we really enjoyed our visit today we were very pleased to see your restaurant is now open and we were impressed with your Sunday dinner . Excellent food . Wonderful roast beef and potatoes both seasoned to perfection , lovely cooked vegetables and Yorkshire puddings Brilliant service from all the team Great friendly atmosphere Loved that the pub looks like it did in its former days Signs gone .Back to normal will definitely visit again

Welcome back to the Botolph Thank you ,we really enjoyed our visit today we were very pleased to see your restaurant is now open and we were impressed with your Sunday dinner . Excellent food . Wonderful roast beef and potatoes both seasoned to perfection , lovely cooked vegetables and Yorkshire puddings Brilliant service from all the team Great friendly atmosphere Loved that the pub looks like it did in its former days Signs gone .Back to normal will definitely visit again

Nice country pub and atmosphere

Cheap and cheerful what else do you want!

Lovely pub with great atmosphere. Plenty of space inside and outside.

Love this pub. Really reasonably priced for really good beer. Staff are super friendly and welcoming

lovely and welcoming, very friendly staff and locals. Nice beer at great prices. I can't wait for the kitchen to open. I will definitely be back

Great to see this pub open again , good beer friendly service , worth a visit .

Good beer garden, great beers and the new owners are really friendly. Now takes card.

Good to be back! New owners are great.

Beautiful looking pub, amazing scenery. The atmosphere was quiet and peaceful (mobile phone ban inside), just needed a bit of interaction from those wanting to promote banter and chat. At least 4 drinks not available, waiting for some new lines.

Pub has just re opened so wet sales only xx Sam Smith brewery run it so interesting rules xx but beer good and staff friendly xx give them a chance xxxx

Great to have a Sam Smiths pub back in Peterborough

A couple of mates from University have reopened this pub. It's clean, good value beer and they are both really personable. A great start to proceedings and food is rumoured to start in August. It is looking good. Well done lads.

Great to see its still Sam Smiths. Had a couple of Double Extra Stouts. Price great. Friendly staff. Will be back 🍺

Just re-opened with a fresh pair of energetic young landlords. With a quirky set of rules, no phones laptops or swearing, this Sam Smiths pub provides the full Sam Smith range of beers wines and spirits at unbeatable prices. The nicest green garden offers any thirsty walker a great place to stop. Try it but remember no phones.

From the outside the pub looks lovely surrounded by lots of outdoor area. The minute you step inside there is an old, tired smell. The interior is very dated, not appealing at all, no music, no atmosphere, felt very awkward. The staff were very friendly but we did not stay for a drink as under 18s not allowed. No phones allowed either, I understand the concept but seems a bit odd given this modern day. 7pm on a Friday night and no customers? I can see why now. No wonder they get no business. A shame as the property has potential to be a really nice restaurant but complete opposite vibe inside.

Lovely place but a data free environment makes it difficult for anyone with dependents to use the place.

Just had an excellent Sunday lunch, Jeff and Maggie were lovely, can't wait to go back.

The Taddy lager is always in exelent condition, the people running the pub are nice people and the sunday lunch was very good. Great to see real log fires.

Gone downhill. Cash only. Not that clean. Prices have shot up big time. I was asked to finish my drink and leave because I used my phone to let a friend know where to meet me. Apparently they now have an anti device policy. Another man was asked to leave for using the word s**t when playing darts. Oh, and you also aren't allowed to stand. Appalling way to treat paying customers, especially in present times. Unfortunately, I won't be returning.

Not a lot to choose . Was cash only ,

Quality food and service from wonderful people

A veritable hidden treasure amongst the all too samey "Gastro Pubs" in Peterborough. Venture out of the centre down the Oundle Road and this idyllic looking imbibement post has a refreshing, some may say quirky, take on today's lifestyle. No phone's, tablets, computers etc...just talking. Amazing, somewhere that has real, live people talking to each other!! Cash only Only Samuel Smith brewed or bottled "soundalike" spirits. I thoroughly recommend the bottled Imperial stout as a sipping drink by the open fire (it's 7%!) or their draught Extra stout for a session. Maybe accompanying that with the best fish and chips I've ever tried, including Whitby, because it's batter is so light. This one should be saved, please use it or lose it. PS Sunday dinner is lovely too😋

We are local to the Botolph Arms part of Sam Smiths Brewery which is known for its rules We had got used to not using phones and no music and of course no swearing It had a lovely atmosphere and we did chat in the pub as Sam smiths want you to do The current landlord moved in before lock down happened When it reopened we were constantly told to sit down ,wear masks , go the right way We were all trying to behave but he did shout at people Many people were put off and so didn’t return The pub started to pick up after covid and we got used to being outside in the beer garden We were happy to be outside and we were served at the table instead of going to the bar However the landlord started to sit and listen to our conversations pretending to do other things He soon also told his staff not to talk to customers .only the management could It then started to go wrong with fewer and fewer customers There are signs everywhere !!!! Straight away before you go inside there is a large sign No phones /no swearing /no cash /no children allowed except in the restaurant But if you look at this sign at the bottom it says We understand these policies don’t suit everyone Hope this gives you the opportunity to stay for something to eat and drink... Or if you will avoid ...the choice of course if entirely yours If you sit in the bar there are 4 digital detox 2 cash no cards 2 No drinking or standing at the bar Now at the bar by the till is a sign “ It is what it is “ A recent sign is “watch out dogs about “ This is above the door to exit All dogs that I have seen in the beer garden have been well behaved The sign is offensive to dog owners and their dogs Another easy way to get rid of your customers It is a shame but we do now AVOID as the management request on their sign

Could do with comfier seats but the fire was amazing

Very nice food, friendly staff, good prices. If you fancy something a little different would recommend

Good food beer great landlord very good top marks

Lovely olde world pub friendly staff great beer and good food

Very nice old style Sam Smiths pub. Plenty of indoor and outdoor seating. Few rules...no mobile devices inside the bar( beer and conversation...brilliant) and no dogs inside. Cash only, restaurant open everyday except Mondays serving the standard pub fare. Will visit again.

Very rude, sign rude won’t be going again again

We called the pub to confirm they could cater for 30 people to be told this would be fine. We were all heading to a funeral the next day so quite a few we’re travelling from Liverpool. When we arrived we were seated separately and the food was advised could take an hour even for a bow of chips. A couple of people were in their phone trying to direct people to the pub but were shouted at including my elderly nan to get off your phone. No phones is the strangest rule I’ve ever come across in a pub, which is fine but politeness and general people skill wouldn’t go a miss and they would probably get more custom. It’s one of locals near me and has gone down hill massively. On the upside the pub is still as beautiful as ever.

Excellent food and lovely staff. Food was piping hot and the pie was excellent quality. Couldn’t have been made more welcome. Can’t wait to go back.

The pub has declined over the past two to three years. Prices of the drinks have increased dramatically and service levels have fallen. On our visits the pub tables were dirty and sticky and the place needed a good clean. There was no food on offer on the day of our visit. The list of rules that must be obeyed are like those from a Borstal. I even got scolded on an earlier visit by getting out my mobile phone to check in as it was a legal requirement then! The pub use to be a busy hub and in the summer the beer garden was once crowded. I cannot truly recommend it. My fear is that given its location and dwindling trade it will soon become just another housing development site.

Enjoyed sitting outside with the frieny locals.

As an ex-publican myself I can only feel sorry for the Landlord of this beleaguered pub. Samuel Smith, the brewery who own this pub, have him completely hamstrung. The list of things you cannot do in this pub is akin to being back in school. But a pub who doesn’t accept cards? In these COVID times especially? Apparently the brewery don’t want to have to pay credit card companies commission? Do they not realise that people spend more on cards? Indeed, we were about to leave (like very many others, apparently) but we found some loose change sufficient to buy one round. We would have stayed longer, but…..Apparently it’s only locals who drink here (they know to carry cash?). But this is a pub to avoid, despite its lovely garden (the inside of the pub being not so good). Apart from anything else the selection of beers, wine and even soft drinks is extremely limited.

Looks lovely on the outside, a bit more modern in the renovation of the inside. We didn't eat - drinks-wise it is a standard Sam Smiths i.e. inexpensive and no brands, but fine for that. Cash only when I went.

Cash only by their choice. Use of electronic devices prohibited. Oh, and kitchen was closed. At least the exit to the car park was right next to the toilets. Will. Never. Visit. Again.

Superb location, good food, just a shame the beer is Sam Smith's

Love the pub just be handy if cards were accepted.

Good oldy world style pub. Nice atmosphere and plenty of outdoor seating. Food well priced standard pub grub, pies very nice. Couple of rules to remember. No mobiles, cash only.

Good pub only drawback is you can't use your phone in doors

Samuel smiths old brewery ale excellent

service can be slow but everything else seemed on point. kids love the park

The actual workers aka bar staff are awesome. However if you want to be treated with any level of respect by the landlord I would suggest you take a pencil case and make sure when your name is called at register you call out. Unfortunatly unlike the staff the landlord, does not appear to have a clue how to interact with fellow humans, and as such do not expect to be treated as one. Very sure the aim is to have as few customers as possible so there is less for him to worry about and for that I don't blame him on what he's paid. Such a shame as the lovely pub we have is now a place to avoid.

It’s a shame that such a lovely pub is being ran by a man that hardly shows his face and has the personality of a wet flannel. I’ve infrequently visited the pub for for over 35 years and I’ve always enjoyed the place but with the long waiting times, poorly maintained beer and a landlord that spends more time gawping at a CCTV screen (in a digital detox pub) than serving his customers, my infrequent visits will be even less now.

Good service..good prices . Always consistent.. love it

The service awful, rude staff and staff looked like was going to beach, used to come here years ago was a great pub then, the brewery need to sort it out could be lovely with better staff and a refurb

It's the Auchwitz of pubs. Can't use your phone, can't swear, can't stand up (even to go to the restroom), can't pay by card, majority of staff is unfriendly, etc... It's the worst pub I've ever been in!!

Beautiful architecture, atmosphere, and host. Will definitely be returning!

We waited 20 minutes before being served. The tables were unclean

Rude staff really let the Pub down

Service is appalling. Kitchen was closed. Waited so long to be served for drinks that we left. Won’t be back.

Dreadful service and unfriendly staff. Kitchen was closed and only cash being accepted. How weird is that?! Would not recommend or return to this pub!

We stopped for lunch, we both smiled when we asked for pinot grigio wine and the waitress told us they had white or rosee only. But the wine was good and we ate. My wife had the feta salad and said it was delicious. Covid secure. Nice location. Would recommend.

The management is an absolute joke!Don't expect to get a drink if your not a local. We were previously told to raise a hand if you want serving.15 minutes of holding a hand in the air and nothing! Totally ignored by the manager who was to busy talking to and serving the locals. When he finally came to our table he told us to calm down, what a cheek!I told him we had waited 15 minutes for service for him to tell us it was only five minutes and they were rushed off their feet. They were not busy and not rushed off their feet!.I argued the point for him to tell the other people at the table "to control your friend". And he wasn't going to serve any of us.This made me absolutely furious! I called him a fat tw** then he barred us all. When we were leaving the pub grounds the manager waved at me laughing.how immature and unprofessional!

good prices and really good tasting beers good out door spaces and play area for the children. very pleasant

Was a bit worried about my first beer back with mates in the pandemic but this was ideal, walk in (no booking) great service, good beers and great company. Would recommend

You wouldn't think they've been closed for months. 1 person serving on table service, 30 minutes to get served and tables peppered with drink spills and dirty glasses. Plenty of authorative notices around about Covid, but basic tidying / cleaning not maintained. No it wasn't busy, and yes it's a real shame. You want to wish pubs well and support them, but it seems the amount of time closed has caused a loss of cause as well. Shame.

1st time in Samuel Smiths pub, lovely staff, unusual atmosphere as there was no fruit machines, Jukebox or mobile phone use allowed!!! But I kinda liked it, it was chilled and relaxed 😌

Couldn't get anyone to take our order, had to leave due to our schedule.

Only accepts cash and no kids allowed, very odd place!

Lovely pub but all speciality beers and doesnt accept card payment. Not great during a pandemic. Frowns on using your mobile in there too so i would say its for an older crowd really.

Nice outdoor area for adults to sit& play area for kids to play

5 stars all round, the food is outstanding and the new management team and all of the staff have done amazing things!! Well done all concerned.

This bar lacked ambiance. Lots of workmen staying in the hotel and using the bar during week.