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About

Rooted in Tradition.
Driven by Passion

Gourmet dish on a white plate with three small pieces of meat, two dollops of sauce, herbs on top, and a glass of beer on a dark wooden table.

The tollemache Arms

From Passion Project to Pub of the Year

Tucked away in the heart of the community, The Tolly is a 17th-century pub with a timeless spirit and a modern soul.

Since taking the reins in 2015, we’ve poured our hearts into creating more than just a pub - we’ve built a warm, welcoming space where stories are shared, friendships are made, and everyone feels like a local.

From humble beginnings, The Tolly has grown into something truly special. What started as a passion project in 2015 quickly became a community favourite, fuelled by hard work, heart, and the incredible support of our guests.

Rooted in tradition but powered by passion, The Tolly blends classic British charm with genuine hospitality. Whether you’re here for a quiet pint, a family meal, or a lively night out, you’ll always find good food, great company, and a place that feels like home.

In 2024, we raised over £40,000 through crowdfunding to help breathe new life into the pub with a full refurbishment, made possible by the belief and backing of our loyal supporters.

Chalkboard menu listing three specials: 32oz Tomahawk to share with beef fat hollandaise, 12oz T-bone with beef fat hollandaise, and 12oz pork tomahawk with maple glaze, all served with posh chips.
Sunset over a grassy outdoor area with wooden picnic tables, a seating area with chairs, and trees in the background.
Snowfall covering the thatched roof and garden of Tollemache Arms pub with picnic benches and closed umbrella outside.

Team

The Heart of The Tolly

The Tolly’s young, dynamic team bring energy, creativity, and a genuine love for hospitality to everything they do.

From the kitchen to the bar, our people are passionate about great service, proud of what they serve, and committed to making every visit memorable.

It’s their dedication - and their knack for making everyone feel at home - that keeps guests coming back time and again.

Want to join the team? We're always looking for our next star.

Smiling bartender in a black polo shirt holding out a cocktail glass with a creamy drink topped with coffee beans in a bar setting.Group of people smiling and sitting around a wooden table outdoors with plates of food and drinks under beige umbrellas.Group of six people indoors, some wearing festive hats and sweaters, with one person holding a cake decorated with icing words.Smiling bald man wearing a striped apron and black t-shirt standing against a wooden plank wall.Two smiling men holding drinks and a large Tyrrells crisps bag with award text, posing in a pub with framed photos on green walls.Two tattooed chefs carefully plating gourmet dishes in a professional kitchen while a person films them.Man in a striped apron holding a tray with freshly baked Yorkshire puddings in a kitchen.Woman bartender smiling while pouring a draft beer from a tap in a well-lit bar.Group of six people and a dog sitting together on green leather sofas in a cozy room with framed pictures and a large window behind them.Smiling young woman with long blonde hair, crossed arms showing various black ink tattoos, wearing a black shirt standing in front of a dark wooden wall.Musician with tattoos and hat playing acoustic guitar and singing on stage with drummer behind at Tolly Fest main stage.Chef in striped apron serving sliced cooked meat onto a plate for a guest at a buffet table with bowls of sauce and plates.

Awards

Award-Winning Northamptonshire Country Pub

From our earliest days, we’ve been blown away by the support of our guests - and it hasn’t gone unnoticed.

We are proud to have received a string of national and regional awards, celebrating everything from our food and drink to the people behind the bar, and in 2024, we were honoured to be named the Best Pub in the UK - a recognition that still humbles us.

These honours reflect the passion and hard work of our team, and the spirit of the community that makes it all possible.

Four people dressed in formal attire smiling and holding Great British Pub Awards 2024 plaques in front of a blue sponsor backdrop.
Two men smiling broadly with their arms around each other, dressed in formal attire at an event.
A group of six people standing together smiling, with one person holding a framed award and another holding a trophy at an event.

Tolly Fest

Your Local Family Festival

We’re not just known for our warm welcome and great pints - we’re home to the much-loved Tolly Fest!

A family-friendly festival that brings together music, food, and the best of local spirit in one unforgettable weekend.

The best local Suppliers

Great Food Starts with Great Suppliers

We take pride in sourcing the finest ingredients and products from local suppliers who share our commitment to quality.

Our beers are proudly poured from Charles Wells and Brewpoint, delivering top-notch brews with true heritage.

Just down the road, Warner’s Distillery crafts award-winning gin right here in the village, adding a local twist to every G&T.

Our breads and sweet treats come from the brilliant Garage Bakehouse in Market Harborough, while premium meats are supplied by the renowned Aubrey Allen Butchers.

Fresh fruit and vegetables arrive daily from Troop & Sons in Brixworth, and our sustainably sourced seafood is delivered straight from the coast by MarrFish in Bournemouth.

It’s this network of passionate producers that helps us serve food and drink we’re genuinely proud of - seasonal, fresh, and full of flavour.

Smiling man holding a wooden tray with freshly baked crusty bread loaves in a bakery kitchen.
Wooden table with slices of bread topped with a yellow spread, a bowl of mixed olives, fried food on branded paper, and a lit candle in a small holder.
Hand holding a Warner's branded glass with a clear drink and lemon slices outdoors on a grassy field with tables and umbrellas in the background.

A local Legend

History On Tap

Steeped in history, The Tolly has long been a fixture of village life, tracing back to the 17th century. The pub has seen centuries of stories unfold within its walls.

Old-style directional road signs pointing to Kelmarsh, Lamport, Thorpe Underwood, Desborough, Rothwell, and Kettering with distances in miles.
Three clergymen standing in the stone doorway of a church with gothic windows in the background.
Close-up of an old, sepia-toned map showing the area labeled Harrington with roads, fields, and buildings.
A vintage restaurant menu titled 'A la carte' listing appetizers, soups, omelettes, fish dishes, grills, specialties, salads, vegetables, and sweets with prices in pence and pounds.

We are proud to have received a string of national and regional awards, celebrating everything from our food and drink to the people behind the bar, and in 2024, we were honoured to be named the Best Pub in the UK - a recognition that still humbles us.

These honours reflect the passion and hard work of our team, and the spirit of the community that makes it all possible. Originally called The Red Cow, but the name was changed in honour of the Hon Hugh Tollemache, who was Rector for 58 years. He famously closed the doors every Sunday to encourage locals to attend church communion instead of lingering over pints.

During World War II, The Tolly became a favourite haunt for American air force pilots stationed at nearby Harrington Airfield, many of whom pressed coins into the pub’s wooden beams for good luck before flying missions - some of those coins still remain today.

And, of course, no old pub would be complete without a ghost: the spirit of the mysterious “White Lady” is said to drift through the building from time to time, adding a touch of eerie charm to our storied past.

Today, those stories live on in every corner of The Tolly - from the beams above the bar to the laughter shared around the tables.

We’re proud to honour our past while continuing to create moments, memories, and a little local legend of our own.

The Tollemache Arms

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Cozy stone fireplace with a bright fire burning, surrounded by tables and chairs in a warm room.