Great Western Arms in South Northamptonshire

Excellent pub for evening meal and drinks. We hadn’t booked on a Friday evening, however the team found us a table and made it work. The food was fabulous, and we tried four ales which were all in superb condition. Most importantly, the service was excellent from all four of the team who served us during the evening. Highly recommend visiting the pub if you’re in the vicinity.

I had a business lunch at the Great Western Arms arranged by my financial advisor. What a lovely tranquil setting next to the canal. The staff were very friendly and the food was excellent. Well worth the drive to get there, which was also beautiful scenic countryside and villages once off the motorway. Unfortunately I did not have time to spend a night in the hotel but it is now definitely on my bucket list.

Fantastic food. Generous portions. Excellent beer. Friendly staff. I highly recommend the black pudding and stuffing mix as an extra side.

Only went there to meet up with some friends from Cambridge for lunch. We have been there before but this time the food wasn't particularly good, I was given cider instead of the beer I'd ordered and the service wasn't brilliant either.

Really disappointed. Big shoes to fill after the previous owners but a poor menu selection and poor service. And 2 of the dishes came out stone cold.

What a lovely welcome and Sunday roast , exceptional food and service thank you 🤩 We pre booked and was a party of 5 , we were very well looked after !

Food here is absolutely amazing it was 2 for 1 burger and I opted for the chicken burger it was absolutely massive and so tasty

They have recently suffered a flood but made every effort to adjust seating to suit our large party. All three courses were of a high quality, tasty and well presented. Service was prompt.

Very handy for the canal. Moored up at Aynho Wharf less than five minute walk. Excellent Sunday Roast served quickly (despite being very busy) and lovely and hot. Good sized portions of veg. Mushroom and Stilton Wellington was very tasty. Lavender and ginger poached pear with chocolate sauce and mango sorbet was divine.

Whilst in the area we fancied a pub evening meal by the canal. The pub was very welcoming and the landlord friendly. Various beers available and an interesting menu. We sat in the rear enclosed courtyard which was pleasant displaying old GWR posters and pictures. The food was plentiful and tasty having the half chicken & chips and crispy chicken burger & chips. It was unfortunate that it doesn't seems to have a terrace to view the actual canal albeit that it is very close to it.

Very nice pub with a lovely garden. Friendly service. Lovely food, different burgers and good chips. Also good to see the chef coming out to pick fresh herbs for the garnish. Very enjoyable.

Had a lovely family meal here a few days ago, all the food was excellent, and the service was lovely too. Can’t fault it!

How is this place not bursting at the seams? The food it absolutely marvelous and I do mean marvelous! (I had James' fried chicken burger with the triple cooked chips) The staff are efficient and friendly, the ale is kept well (Hook Norton Brewery), the pub itself is lovely, and even the music is spot on as background to a relaxed meal or drink. Even though it's Monday evening I can't believe it isn't completely full of diners, especially with a Monday 2 for 1 burger offer. I'm so sorry I had demolished your beautiful work before thinking to take a photo of it at its best.

We visited twice in a couple of days whilst cruising on the Oxford canal, once for lunch and once for dinner. On both occasions the staff were friendly and attentive and all the food was excellent. There’s a nice varied menu; the baked figs starter and the venison burger were a change from usual pub-grub and done very well. We’ll find excuses to come back!

Popped in for a couple of pints whilst walking along the canal. A nice place

Brilliant as always .....Monday night is burger night ...2 for 1 ...brilliant value...Get down there but always book !

My husband and I booked last minute (same day) for a Sunday roast In July. When we arrived we were greeted by Alex who was so friendly and continued to be just lovely! We were seated in the restuarant and our waitress immediately came over to take our drinks order. Drinks arrived quickly and we ordered our food - my husband wanted the vegetarian dish but he also wanted lamb so I ordered a double roast so he could have the lamb and staff were more than happy to accommodate this with an extra little plate. We had duck chips for our starter and shared it and again they gave us extra crockery and cutlery to share. The roast. Oh my god the roast, it was amazing. Like I personally make a top notch roast so we don't tend to go out for one often but I'm so glad we did, it was on another level, I fancied gammon and it was so yummy! We also had cauliflower cheese, pigs In blankets and stuffing on the side. The cauliflower was good, standard but the stuffing, again was incredible with black pudding in it and the pigs in blankets are what dreams are made of, they were phenomenal! We couldn't finish what we had so asked Alex if we could take the pigs home, he was happy to accommodate and when he bought them out, he even said he had given us a few extra! We were so full so couldn't manage dessert but sat in the garden with our drinks and just enjoyed the atmosphere. All the meats were cooked perfectly and the veg/sides were absolutely top notch- credit to Dani and the rest of the kitchen team! I honestly can't rate this highly enough - from Alex welcoming us, to our very kind and attentive waitress (so sorry I didn't get her name but she was a blonde girl) and Dani etc in the kitchen, it was an amazing afternoon so thank you all so much!

Excellent food and great service

We stopped for lunch to break a journey. Staff very welcoming and the food was excellent. Highly recommend

We stopped here on our Narrowboat. What a treat! Well kept Ale and really great food. All the staff were really friendly - great service and stopping for a chat. Lovely place. Will hope to pass this way again!

We came here for dinner a week ago to celebrate our anniversary and had the most wonderful evening. The risotto - wow. The fish and chips - wow. My husband and I were served by the most lovely waitress (we think we her name was Tabitha) - she couldn’t do enough for us and made our evening so special. Thank you Tabitha and team at the GWA, we will definitely be back!

Lovely pub, nice atmosphere, lovely garden, good food, lovely servers

Can't recommend this establishment any higher unfortunately. We need to add an extra start because the staff wire impeccable with our service The food was faultless and everybody was more than accommodating with every request that we made. Six stars. We need more pubs like this back in England

Absolutely awful, was told, not asked, told to keep the noise down because children were sleeping upstairs!!!! We were laughing, its a pub!!! Given a bill for £300 which was not ours, what type of management makes that type of mistake? We were out celebrating our sisters 60th birthday, not drunken louts on a stag doo!!? Due to it being the only pub there we had to return the next evening, to be greated with a lecture on being courteous to their staff, they definitely got that the wrong way round!!!! I could go on and on, so will round this up with these people seriously need to either re-train in the hospitality business or change thier vocation in life!!! Very rude, insulting nasty horrible people

Awful experience for my 60th birthday celebrated with family. We were told to keep the noise down and the owners children were asleep on Friday evening! Hospitality none existent would NEVER return.

2for 1 on Burgers on a Monday so we tried the two vegetarian options Both good but Jackfruit burger was very good Sticky toffee pudding was great as well, tasty and not too big with a good quality ice cream

I’ve often driven past this pub . This eve my son booked a table here , what a treat the bar manager Alex was very attentive greeted us and it felt genuine customer service at its best . ‘Tia was great she told us about the specials and service again was great. Food was exceptional steak and ale pie is a must . We will definitely be coming here again for certain I would 100% recommend . Thank you for making my Birthday meal so memorable

Enjoyed a fabulous roast dinner with my daughter. The food was so delicious, service was fast but not rushed. Staff were very friendly and polite. Great ambience in pub.

Stopped in couple times for a quick drink on way home from work. Very nice setting with beautiful surroundings and a nice rustic interior with alot of country charm.

We popped in for a drink, and a look at the menu. Very friendly staff and customers. We will definitely be back when in the area next. Recommended!

After a 9 hour journey on my boat it was a welcome relief to visit the Great Western Arms for a well deserved drink. Although we arrived just after they had finished serving the landlord took pity on us and we were able to order food. We had really tasty chicken and ham pies with buttered vegetables which we both enjoyed. The pub had a very relaxed and friendly atmosphere which was created by an excellent landlord having conversations with customers and managing to serve others at the same time. Great skill!

Great food, great service, great beer. The Duck Chips are ridiculously tasty.

We moored right outside the door of the Great Western Arms two days on the trot for dinner. Enjoyed excellent food and a personal friendly service. Also, excellent range of beers on tap. It was well worth the 12.5% discretionary service charge.

Fabulous place for a family get together, lovely and helpful staff serving delicious food. Highly recommended

Excellent food, great local Hooky ales and lovely staff.

Great for a meetup for mid-week lunch. Online booking was easy. Excellent food, warm welcome and friendly service. We chatted comfortably till mid-afternoon. Thank you.

We had a family meet up (8+ dog) for lunch despite changing our booking and adding extra people they couldn’t have been more helpful. They made us and the dog so welcome. The menu is extensive with plenty of choice All 8 of us enjoyed our meals with no complaints required. The service was superb and we were asked if we were happy with the service charge before being presented with the bill ! We were happy to pay it as they deserved it . We rebooked before leaving , hoping next time the weather is good enough to sit in the garden

Great food and beer selection and friendly staff. Small quaint beer garden.

Lovely pub, in a beautiful setting. Excellent meals - went twice Sunday + a week day. Well worth a visit

Met friends staying on the canal and had a great evening. Staff were lovely and food was great - if the venison or hanger steaks are on the menu, you’re in for a great meal

Great service and great food 100% recommend. We came for a small birthday booking

Nice riverside pub with a good curry and very helpful people

BEST place ever!!! Food is out of this world, the location is perfect, and the rooms are clean and very comfortable. I literally have nothing to fault.

I agree with others, that it is pricey for what you get. The service was slow and to be told 'we are very busy today' (there were plenty of empty tables) does not excuse it. And 12.5 per cent service charge is really over the top

Top quality food and outstanding service. Simply the best. Just visited again and still the best.

Travelling on the canal, I booked on the day for my wife’s birthday, as our original destination was unfortunately closed for refurbishment. Turned out to be a great decision, as the red wild bream was one of the best meals we’ve both had for a very long time. Not cheap, but pure quality ingredients and presentation. Nicole was THE best host, friendly, very attentive and calm, even though it was very busy. She went about looking after everyone with a smile, and was easy to tell that she appreciated our business. Would definitely make a bee line for this great establishment next time we’re cruising past.

In all I'd say the food was okay but I wouldn't go back for it and the cost did not reflect what we got. The roast with a vegan pie was a bit disappointing as the portion was smaller than everyone elses and definitely could have done with more than 2 little dry roast potatoes! Also, having a spiced pie with roast dinner is a little strange flavour-wise, a mushroom pie, for example, would work a lot better. My main issue was with wondering why the service seemed a little 'off' and didn't try to make us feel very welcome...  I only realised after that them having a service charge probably explains the lack of effort from service. It's a lovely pub in a great location that just needs a bit more attention to customer satisfaction from management. If you are charging a service charge you better be able to defend that by going above and beyond instead of doing, what felt like, the bare minimum. Service was so uninterested that when we went to pay we stood at the till for too long and had to find someone to do so even though a load of the staff were stood at the back chatting and could clearly see us.

Only had a meal here at lunchtime & it was lovely. Good selection & quality. Staff very polite & friendly. Lovely family run pub.

Lovely pub, excellent food with enthusiastic and attentive staff. Our visit was at a very busy period but they managed excellent friendly service.

I met here with an old friend for a midweek, lunchtime get-together. The pub is very pleasant but somewhat off the beaten track. The service, if a little muddled, was friendly. However, I was disappointed by the chicken & ham pie. The pastry was hard and a little dry, and the filling was minimal. I'm not sure if/when I'll be returning.

What a fantastic restaurant the food is amazing the staff and really good the restaurant is lovely inside, great Sunday roasts the pork was so good

Very nice pub with a good menu. The couple who run it are friendly and welcoming. Our meal was really good. One disappointing factor is the 12.5% service charge added to the bill. We don't expect to pay a service charge. We are happy to tip where service is better than expected. An unwelcome surprise which will impact on decisions about returning.

Beautiful old pub, the food is outstanding... probably the best gastro pub I've ever eaten at. The rooms are nice, basic but adequate. Staff were brilliant, very friendly, open and honest (they forgot to put a gin in our gin and tonic and they realised before us and brought us another free of charge) I'd definitely stay again, you won't be disappointed with the food!

We were in our motorhome in the car park. The roads are in a very bad way to get there but it’s SO worth it ! We both had Flatiron steak which was medium rare, just right. We’ll go again, that’s for sure.

Good country pub, we didn't have food, but enjoyed a pint in pleasant surroundings.

Took my mum here for mothers day. Lovely food and great service especially seeing how busy it was. Would definitely recommend.

I was here for Mother's Day Sunday lunch with my mum, mother in law and hubby. What fabulous, tasty and well presented food. We were all delighted and truly satisfied with every aspect of our meal. The staff were genuinely attentive throughout our visit. The atmosphere and setting was lovely. Before leaving, the 3 mums were each given some home made heart shaped biscuits for Mother's Day which was so thoughtful. Can't wait to book another meal very soon.

Food was average at best. With a high price tag. We were stuck at a cramped table with 10 of us at it. No thought was put into the arrangement, making us feel rather unvalued from the start. Despite having a reservation arranged weeks ahead of the day. The ordered food from the menu was not as advertised and came with a high price tag for what was nothing special. The waitress that serviced us was lovely and can't fault her, but the management of this establishment let's it down. Would not recommend for a family meal. For drinking, this place has potential, but the food lets it down.

We went here for the first time for Mother’s Day. Unfortunately it’s not managed very well. They had clearly over booked. There were far too many people for the room. They had to move the tables around as there wasn’t enough room to accommodate everyone. We were squashed in so much that we were practically sat on each other’s laps. The food was mediocre, 1 carrot and half a parsnip each. For pudding I ordered an apple crumble and got rhubarb 🤷‍♀️ and cold custard. Overall not good and we won’t be returning.

Best Sunday roast we've had. 1/2 chicken was melt in the mouth. With a great selection of vegetables Busy place, but still attentive! Place to be for me

Good meal in an nice old fashioned pub next to the canal. Enjoyed it.

Lovely country pub with fine ales and excellent food on offer. Rooms are reasonably priced and clean - you can have a "Continental" breakfast box brought to your door or (apparently) a cooked breakfast in the pub. Superb location and combination of a "proper" local with gastro pub. Works well 👍

What an amazing find. We stumbled on this pub by accident. Excellent food, amazing service and super friendly

Great welcome. Lovely clean comfortable room. We had two dogs with us so ate dinner in the bar area.It was delicious. My daughter and I enjoyed our stay and will certainly stay again when in the area

Lovely food & service, unfortunately very cold 🥶. Need to light fire a good hour before opening . Staff finding it difficult to keep fire going .

Seventeen of us had a two course meal at the Great Western Arms earlier this month and it was excellent. We did the same thing twelve months ago and we’re glad to be able to go back. We expect to do it again next year. We wanted a private space to eat and easy parking both of which were easily met. Service was friendly and efficient. The food was good and freshly prepared. All good from my point if view

What a lovely pub. Fabulous friendly welcome from staff. Service excellent, menu varied with lots of choice. The food was delicious. Served quickly and efficiently. Can’t wait to return !

Excellent food, service and ambience. Varied menu- great choice and the food was cooked to perfection. Highly recommended.

Love this place! We visit a couple of times a year when crossing the country visit friends, today another perfect example; arrived early as we know it can get busy, fabulous seasonal pies, amazing specials and so intrigued by the duck chips had to beg one from a nearby table! Nicole was working her socks off - great service! Thank you!

Sunday lunch is probably the best I have had. Service and food outstanding, warm welcoming and friendly atmosphere. If you haven’t been go, you will not be disappointed Thoroughly recommend

From start to finish all of the GWA team are outstanding they helped with every single detail of the wedding.Hubby and I felt so relaxed the food was amazing lots of drink. My guest found the GWA with easy and plenty of parking. Nicole, James and Alex you gave us a blinding day.

I took my parents and niece here to celebrate my Dads 80th birthday. From start to finish the experience was wonderful. The pub was warm and cosy with fires lit, we were greeted by Nicole who showed us to our table and who despite being really busy came and took our drink order. The pub was extremely busy with every table taken, testimony to the fabulous food and great staff. We all had roast dinner with varying meats and every plate was practically licked clean! The Yorkshire Puddings were just like my mum makes - really light and fluffy. We all had desserts which were divine ….. my dads was made extra special with Happy Birthday being written in chocolate. I cannot recommend this pub highly enough. James, Nicole and the whole team were amazing - thank you for making my dad’s 80th so special .

This is the place for a fantastic meal in a relaxed setting. Our meal was delicious- the service friendly and professional- excellent in every respect.

Fantastic pub. Don't understand previous couple of reviews as been closed Wednesday for years. Always been great quality. We love it we will be back over and over. Thank you, don't change.

Closed! Travelling on the canal network, we thought we had timed things right to visit for lunch. Moored half an hour away the night before. Had a slow start to the day in order to visit for lunch. Checked the website…. No mention of opening times. Travelled past 2 turning points and a lock to get to you… moored up and walked to the pub. CLOSED. Don’t you think you could put on your website that you are closed on Wednesdays?!? Never mind eh!? Just a 40 minute cruise to the next turning point and then the return journey to where we set off from that morning. However - according to other reviews - we saved a small fortune. Such a shame as on previous visits we have enjoyed excellent food and great service.

We visited over the weekend, we used to be regulars before the new people took over . The atmosphere is still lovely which was nice but unfortunately the price was not . The food was good but very overpriced, and the sharing starter platter was 5 bits of random bread with a tiny pot of olives and hummus. Must have been £3 to make and they charged £11 ! So disappointed. There was not enough staff and the ones that were there were very inexperienced. No head of house or senior staff to answer our questions. Overall sad that we will not be able to come back as a family £210 for a family of 6 is just madness.

Food was average but top end prices. Staff nice. 12 % service charge says optional on the receipt but they already take the money plus 12% so its not optional. This like this really disappoint me. Portions stingy for the price. Could be so much better, feels like its a money grabbing location.

Lovely atmospherical pub by the Wharf. Friendly professional staff, incredible Sunday roast including fabulous pudding & wine. Plan to book a room soon as they do B&B

Pre booked a table for two for a special dinner. On arrival was taken to a bar table a couple of feet from the bar where people were sitting at the bar an others passing through. I complained having booked the restaurant not a bar table. Bearing in mind it was 6pm and the restaurant was half empty I was told priority is given to larger parties they were very busy and unable to offer us a restaurant table for which they accepted a booking. Consequently we were not offered any wine probably because we were in the bar. I have visited this restaurant on several occasions, recommended it it to people and taken guests. The food was good but the service and treatment dreadful. Couples beware your special occasion may have to be spent in the bar!

Amazing meal compliments to the chef. This country pub is beautiful and the atmosphere is great. Highly recommend the sea bream!

The staff were brilliant and friendly. But sadly £167 for 4 people to eat is absolutely ridiculous. I went out 2 weeks before to a similar pub and paid £85z. 4 meals 3 puddings and 8 drinks. It’s over priced. £23.50 for a steak 2 lettuce leaves and 2 onion rings. I was expecting a huge meal for the price. It’s not A la carte. Won’t be going again absolute rip off.

A great pub with both a local style bar and smart eating areas. My katsu fish cakes were a great starter as were the crab cakes. The lamb and mint burger was also very good. Not too far from the canal. Well worth a visit.

Fantastic Sunday roast as normal, also went last Saturday for a pork fillet and crispy duck salad favourite place in Oxfordshire.

Marc, Nicole, James and their team hosted our wedding breakfast/reception and everything was outstanding. The venue (the outer barn area), the food (3 course meal with all the trimmings) and the service (full waiter service where nothing was too much trouble). All our guests (20)...

We thought we would try here for Sunday lunch. None of us were impressed. Both the beef and the pork was over cooked, the potatoes undercooked and proportions small (2half potatoes per serving). And the roast was not heap.

We were staying in Clifton whilst walking the the Oxford Canal. Called in the Great western to eat. Fabulous pub with good food. Friendly staff and owned by a family who had only taken the pub over earlier this year. Sadly they do not do...

Amazing Sunday roast a good variety of meal choices to choose from, friendly staff with a very relaxed atmosphere. A must place to visit if in the area.

Definitely worth a detour off the M40. We enjoyed an excellent evening here, with friendly and helpful staff, lovely well presented food, and a pleasant ambience. We enjoyed the nachos as starter and a selection of burgers, followed by the mini pudding and hot drink....

We have visited here many times in the past few years but this was the first summer lunch with the new management. Thankfully the environment of the pub has not changed with good inside and outside seating. The beers remain good with nice Hookey at...

Reopened under new management. Booked online at the last minute. Great food and service. Really helpful with dietary requirements. Beautiful location.

Delicious Saturday lunch - delicious food - dog friendly and canal side location. Friendly staff and great service. The duck chips are insane ask about them!

Excellent food well cooked and presented beautifully. Lovely location on the Oxford canal. Have eaten here twice now and haven’t been disappointed.

Spot of dinner and it was perfect, the team at GW were short staffed but they were amazing. The establishment is beautiful and an amazing location right next to the canal. The food was perfect and delicious although I did feel £17 for a burger...

Booked last minute for a Bank holiday lunch with Loved ones. We've never been before and was pleasantly surprised with how appealing the Great Western is from the outside when we arrived. However, I was bowled over when we went inside. The interior is gorgeous...

arrived with friend after long canal trip mid weel 7.30 p.m. pub half full. told kitchen closed and till faulty flabergasted .is this 2023?

A proper burger plenty of varieties, great atmosphere with good choice of tables not sat on top of each other friendly staff.

Absolutely excellent! 7 of us booked the day before to come off the canal. We had a dog and the restaurant isn’t dog friendly but they said we could go in the Canal Room with him. When we arrived, the Canal Room had a roaring...

Excellent Sunday roast, 6 different types of veg not including potatoes with such tender pork belly. Can't compliment enough

Sunday lunch, roast beef. Big Yorkshire pudding but not much beneath it. The beef was good to be fair, but the core plate in hindsight really needed the rather expensive side dishes to make a decent meal. Not great value at 18 quid. The pub...

We have come here every few months for the past few years. We knew it had changed ownership and decided to let it bed in a bit, and also followed it on social to see if it was going to remain a good place for...