“Best pub in the town is the King Billy“ - as you said, very much a rocker/biker pub. This is why it is always difficult to make recommendations without knowing the person who is seeking the advice. To some, the King Billy would be the last place to visit. It’s all down to individual taste. The same applies to recommending areas to live or not live. What is right for one is wrong for another. I notice you describe Stoke Bruerne as “quiet” and it is a very scenic place, but also worth mentioning that it is virtually gridlocked any half decent weathered weekend and smells of over used cooking oil, within 200 yards of The Navigation pub. It does have a great Indian restaurant though: The Spice of Bruerne. Towcester has good and bad parts, as does any town. Again, it’s all down to what people are used to and expect. @jonny shuttle - Towcester does have a race course with free entry on all but two race meetings, along with a greyhound racing track - if that is your thing and of course Silverstone is five minutes down the road. I did giggle at your rugby Saints comments - spot on to some that I know, but to be fair, not all of them. Whereabouts do you live @Willhoops ?
I'm In Kingsthorpe so outskirts of town but went to school in Silverstone and Towcester and lived in a tiny village out near Silverstone when I was younger which was many moons ago . Kingsthorpe is what it is, the bizarre part is my street (which is not a through road, but not really a cul-de-sac) is prime example, near the bottom 'affordable housing' however nearer the top however is quite nice. I have to be careful not to put too much into my house as if I sell I'm not going to get any more out of it. Yes you are right Bruerne does get mad busy at times, probably because of how pleasant it is, I do like the Nav decent pub, things for kids of all ages and totally agree about the Spice, been a few times if anything tries to be a little too fancy when there really is no need, patterns on your plate with mango chutney makes me laugh, the Cardamon in Kingsthorpe is excellent thoroughly recommended, oh and the Saffron up near the Derngate is decent, one more restaurant mention would be for the Vineyard, close to the Saffron, the food there is always outstanding. The thing I love about the Billy is I can go down in jeans and a t-shirt, or straight out of a meeting suited and booted I will get treated no differently, no judgement which isn't the case in most places in town. Best Towcester races story I had was when me and a mate, well into his horses went to a point to point, had money and ended up winning quite big on a horse called Fanny de Noih, you can imagine what we were screaming!! I used to live near to the Saints ground, well close enough so that I couldn't really leave anywhere near that time without loosing my parking spot. Also as a football fan it's a little depressing where the most supported team chase an egg round for 80 minutes.
Well while we are on with this i am back up in Northampton on Saturday morning - doing some more viewings ! I am thinking a nice village pub for lunch afterwards. Any good suggestions?
The Greyhound at Milton Malsor is a chain (Brewers Faye’s) I think, so food is standard, nothing special but great garden for kids. The Crown at Ashton is goodfood and good garden for kids. Maybe a bit far out. The Navigation for family friendly but chain food in Stoke Bruerne. Right on the canal. Good spot for kids. Bells Plantation is a garden centre with a good cafe, on the A43/A5 roundabout. 5 Miles from M1. North of Northampton you have The Telegraph in Moulton. That’s good. Ye Old Red Lion in Kislingbury, west of Northampton and round the corner is The Cromwell (a not bad chain). The red lion at brafield has a good reputation. The Plough at Shutlanger is very good but can be pricey. Let me know if you want any help or I could pop into whichever pub you go to for a quick beer Ps. I’m a bit of a food snob, so the chain ones are probably ok, I’m just fussy.
My village pub in Blisworth, The Royal Oak is a bit spit and sawdust but serves food (not great but does a good curry) and has a good sized garden. Oh and will Show the football
