Tollemache Arms

The evening meal was good, and the staff were friendly and very attentive, but breakfast was pretty average. We’d chosen this for an overnight stay after seeing the website and reading reviews, so it was disappointing to find our room not especially clean. The mattress was worn, and the kettle leaked onto the tea tray overnight, leaving the tea bags and other things floating. The toilet cistern stopped refilling. Staff came up quickly to fix it, but it failed again later, when it was too late to call anyone. Outside looked grubby and neglected.

The huge beer garden has around 30 picnic tables, by my estimate, spaced out with lovely views across peaceful countryside. Inside, the 17th-century pub still has plenty of charm and a beautiful interior, and we got a wonderfully warm welcome. The Sunday roast was excellent, with very generous portions. My photos don’t do it justice, so come hungry. Troy, if I’ve got your name right, was friendly and attentive while serving our table. It’s a first-class pub destination, and though we’re about an hour away by car, we’ll be back. A deserved Great British Pub of the Year winner.

The roast beef was great, and the roast potatoes were lovely. Everyone had plenty of vegetables too, and all seven of us enjoyed our meals. We’d booked ahead and stopped in after a pleasant walk in the countryside. It was my first time eating here, but my walking friends and I will definitely come back when we’re next in the area.

We stopped here to break up our drive south from Northumberland. The place is quirky, with friendly, attentive staff, and dinner was exceptional, with fabulous food and big portions. Hospitality venues are struggling in the current economic climate, so places like this need our support.