Great Western Arms in South Northamptonshire

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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...

Visited on a busy Sunday and were lucky to get a table for 2. Great service and very welcoming. Food was excellent and a good variety of drinks. Good atmosphere and decor. Staff were great

Fabulous vegan meal. Home cooked and delicious. Beautifully presented. Service attentive and cheerful. Pub had a friendly and welcoming atmosphere. Would thoroughly recommend it.

Had a wonderful roast lunch today. Love that you can have either a normal roast, or a duo or even trio of a selection of meats - helps when you can’t choose! The chicken and beef were fantastic! Great selection of sides. Roasties and huge...

Really amazing food. Lovely pub and atmosphere in a really nice location. Great service. Will definitely be back!

First time going back since new owners. Food was amazing! We all enjoyed each of the different dishes we went for! The service was great, very welcoming and friendly. We didn’t go without anything we needed. Definitely booking to go back!

A friendly and well run country pub set on an idyllic canal side location. The food was also excellent 10/10 appreciate you chef!

Had a lovely meal here recently, food was delicious and the service always excellent. The place has recently been taken over by new owners who are just fantastic.

Nicole & James were brilliant to deal with when I made this booking. I am so pleased I chose this recently refurbished country pub for the meal. When you organise something, you just want things to go as planned and they did. The relaxed, professional...

After a recent change we thought we would try it out and we weren't disappointed. Fresh homemade food that you can tell a lot of care has been put into Pork belly Steak burger and the duck chips were all enjoyed on our table..😍 Duck...

Amazing food, such friendly warm service and a cozy atmosphere. The steak is steak that dreams are made of. We had a really nice long lunch on a Saturday, the team couldn’t do enough for us.

We called in today for a light lunch - a beer and a couple of sandwiches. Three minutes past two … curt no sorry, kitchens closed. And on the website it talks about friends hahaha No flexibility, no attempt to arrange a compromise. Ok. We...

Food was excellent, Maitre’d was ignorant never spoke to us at all, all of the other staff were pretty on the ball, didn’t feel welcome, ate their twice both times the food was v good shame about the one staff member!

I have just been for a very tasty meal at The Great Western Arms with my young son, and I am pleased to say it was a great experience. Although the Children’s meal was quite pricey at £8.50, it was well cooked and presented. I...

Turned up as part of a group who were already seated inside the pub, point blank refused entry and shouted at by what I assume was the manager (male with grey hair) behind the bar, we were not allowed to finish what we were saying...

We visited the Great Western Arms last minute yesterday late afternoon/early evening. The staff were very friendly and welcoming, and the pub itself and outside garden area was wonderfully kept, inviting and appealing. They had no trouble serving us without a booking, and we both...

An absolutely wonderful experience at a unique and fabulous pub. We enjoyed the specials and menu, as well as the drinks. Robert made a fantastic spectacle of our Chateaubriand steak which was excellent! Angela was particularly helpful and kind to us. We felt very taken...

Beautiful looking pub with a well kept garden. Large dining room, seats in the courtyard and garden room. We were only there for a drink, but were impressed by the friendliness of the bar staff and the locals. In the garden, we had a long...

Sunday Roast to die for. My wife and I walked up the canal from The Pig Place campsite on Saturday 2nd July and popped in here for a couple of drinks. We immediately loved the pub, with its canal side setting, traditional pub style, friendly...

I took my son and daughter in law to the pub for dinner last week and without question we had one of the best meals I've personally ever eaten, garlic prawns to start with and a T-bone steak to follow. Absolutely delicious and made even...

I would give it zero out of 5 while on our narrow boat looked on there web site and it said drinking times 1200 hrs to 2300 hours as we did not wish to eat there I went to the bar @ eight thirty and...

It’s shut. Checked the website. Open at 5.30. Walked along the canal and came back see the Landlady getting out of her car who said ‘pub’s shut’ and walked away.

The decor is really well done. The staff are so friendly. The meals were excellent. My husband had the cheese burger and he didn’t stop raving about it. A must stop on your travel down the Oxford canal

Food is excellent. Highly recommend the scampi & whitebait starter. The steaks are cooked to perfection. Eton mess is not to be missed either. The waiter was great, really attentive and polite. A real credit to the pub’s owners. If I am ever in the...

My favourite place to go for Sunday Lunch the food cooked to perfection. My guest is a chef and quite critical but he agreed really good food. I really like my veg which seems to be lacking in most restaurants but at the GW I...

A great wee find on the Oxford canal. Called for drink and bar staff were so friendly we called back for a meal on Tuesday evening and were not disappointed. Good food and great beer.

What a lovely place. The staff were very friendly, great food and great location for a walk along the canal

We visited on the 28th April, a party of 6. We were treated like royalty. A1 service and food. Not rushed at all. Nothing was to much trouble. Good beer and excellent food. Just make sure you book in advance.

went for the steak owing to it's reputation. seemed to be lacking in staff, but that seems to be the norm these days, no ones fault but businesses still go fully booked which detracts from the customer experience.

I visited with a friend for lunch mid-week. It was my first time here. We were seated inside, near the fire. It's a very nice and cosy pub in a lovely location by the canal. They don't have much choice for vegetarian (hence the 4...

We had an absolutely flawless experience at the Great Western Arms, firstly, our waiter was absolutely lovely, he even made a goodie bag for our dog, deboned and all. Secondly, the food was absolutely stellar, 3 out of the 6 of us had the whitebait,...

A great pub with excellent steaks and good customer service This is one of the best pubs in Oxfordshire for a steak meal and always cooked to perfection and how you like it The staff are always friendly and welcoming especially On a Saturday evening...

We made a reservation (on Thursday with a man at the pub (phone)) for Sunday lunch, we were really looking forward to a relaxing lunch, wine etc. It was howling with wind and rain so definitely a day for a cosy table for two. We...

We had a lovely meal here, the food was amazing and the staff so very friendly. My only down point was the banning above my head for most of my meal, sounded like children running around, it was very loud and quite annoying. Food made...

Lovely last minute lunchtime steak, and king prawns to die for. tasty and melt in the mouth steak was amazing. Well worth the visit

Great pub cool staff, but 4.95 for a pint of Guinness is ridiculous, checked online for he price of Guinness nationally, currently city pubs are selling at £3.40 so as far as this massive rip off goes, never again!

Had a lovely Christmas Meal at this pub on Thursday night - delicious turkey and vegetables and a yummy sticky toffee sponge pud - good Covid measures, reasonably priced with Hook Norton Ales - will definitely go again and happy to support our local pubs...

Visited here many times over the years and having just left there this evening. Once more we were simply blown away by Robbie who is always friendly attentive and the life and heart of this great establishment . he makes you feel special even though...

Staff are attentive and charming. Food was excellent. We always enjoy our food there especially the chocolate torte with raspberry sauce which compliments our main course. Thank you all. X

2nd time my friends and I have stopped here for a Friday evening while on the canal. It’s a friendly and welcoming place with great food and seems to easily accommodate family and couples dining alongside a big group of (slightly aging now) rowdy lads...

Stopped here for lunch on the way to our final destination Friends had sandwiches I choose the special chicken wrap( what a fool ) Arrived at our final destination a couple of hours later and then the food poisoning hit me for the next few...

Traditional pub very attractively set up inside. 3 main areas inside for dining with a courtyard garden to the rear. Also has a covered barn for eating to the rear. Attractively set up throughout. Decent drink choices and very popular

Very friendly and welcoming. Traditional gastro-pub decor and relaxing atmosphere. Had a lovely salmon lunch and my wife had the ham egg and chips. Well presented and tasted great. Nice spot by the canal, very appealing all round. Recommended.

Called in on the off-chance of a table for three and our luck was in. Lovely welcome, extremely clean environment. Service was prompt and friendly. Food was superb, good quality ingredients very well cooked. We were delighted. Thank you 🙏

Family supper enjoyed by all! We ate in the Lavender Barn after a very chilly day on the canal with our dog and very much appreciated the heaters! The Thai green curry was delicious and highly recommended. This was definitely the best pub meal of...

This place is far prettier than the pictures on the website suggest. The courtyard and covered barn are are also lovely. But most of all the team there were so welcoming and went out of their way to accommodate a couple of hungry strangers. We...

Whenever we go canal boating on the South Oxford Canal we always make a point of stopping off at the Great Western Arms and we've never been let down. Beautiful pub with a stunning courtyard, super friendly staff and owners, and absolutely amazing food. So...

We chanced on this place by accident The food was excellent - good choices on menu Service very good Lively friendly pub with character Definitely recommended

We had a evening meal at this pub and service wasn't that great from the off. The food was faultless and well prepared. The only negative was us seemingly having to ask for staff to attend our table. To be totally fair to the pub...

We found the Sunday lunch menu diverse and reasonably priced. The service was very good, and the food too. There are very nice covered eating areas at the back of the pub, which are unique and very comfortable. Great seeing the house martins flitting in...

Really poor meal. Mediocre pub food with restaurant prices. Spring rolls as starters ...packet food? Vegetables over cooked and lacked flavour. Presentation poor. Salad lacked quality and variety of ingredients. At nearly £30 a steak and £8 per starter.... what has happened to this place?...

nice main course crap dessert they still charged us for the dessert apart from one of then even though all three were bad

In a big way. Possibly the thinning out of tables has helped. Anyway, food was simply stunning: fat juicy prawns to start; fillet steak for main. Great service, and reasonably priced - exceeded expectations! Even the horrible yappy dog was absent!!

An excellent meal in a gorgeous outside dining area. Having stopped at Aynho on the canal, we chanced a walk in at the Great Western Arms. Despite being relatively busy we were given a lovely table in a fabulous outside dining area that you never...

Rene,Ali,Lydia,Louis,Nathan,Beth,Robert,Molly,Jack. The team at Great Western Arms and what a team they are.From arrival you immediately feel at home, not only is the food resteraunt quality, the genuine warmth from these guys is a refreshing thing these days, very comfortable inside and out, superb food,...

Superb and slick service. Excellent food. Really friendly and helpful staff. Nothing was too much trouble. The children’s menu went down really well with our two grandchildren (5and 3) and they loved the picture to colour in. The icing on the cake was seeing Mrs...

Food was fantastic, service was welcoming and friendly and all the staff were excellent. They all wore face masks, there was hand sanitizer dotted around and their desserts are to die for. I had a fantastic time with my grandad and would highly recommend to...