The George, Towcester

A traditional looking pub in this pleasant village just outside of Towcester, it has a car park at the rear and a beer garden with a few picnic benches to one side. Fortunately it has resisted any sort of gastro makeover and retains it’s traditional ambience inside where it is split in to three rooms. Some promotional material indicated that they are in this year’s Good Beer Guide, and there was also a certificate from Northamptonshire Camra awarding them Pub of The Year in 2012. Young barmaids are often criticised, but this one was remarkably efficient managing to take my food order and payment whilst simultaneously pulling someone else’s pint. The main bar area is at the back of the pub and is quite compact. It has quite an intimate feel with limited space available and a number of locals were perched up on stools around the bar. A brick fire-place was at the back with the usual knick-knacks on the mantle-piece and there was a wood burning stove in there, although it was not in use on this occasion. A small TV was mounted up above showing the One Show, and although the volume was not muted, it was on fairly low and did not seem too intrusive. Flooring was predominantly carpet with some red quarry tiles around the bar counter and there was some wood panelling on the lower part of the wall. A pile of papers was available to peruse and there was also a small bookshelf in the corner. There were a couple of trophies and such like on a shelf as well as a liberal plastering of beer mats on the ceiling suggesting that the choice available varies frequently. A smaller adjacent room had a Northamptonshire skittles game and there was also a darts board and a match was in progress on a recent visit. A collection of football shirts were pinned to the ceiling. Up a couple of steps at the front was a larger room, which although still quite traditional in appearance lacked something in the way of atmosphere I thought, perhaps just because it was empty on this occasion. Food is offered, although it’s clearly not the main focus of the pub. Besides a basket of rolls on the end of the bar, a small blackboard offered a concise selection of dishes such as goulash, chilli con carne and camel meatballs! You could also have either a jacket potato or a suet crusted pie and choose a number of fillings. My scampi and chips, priced at £8, whilst not perhaps the greatest test of the kitchen’s ability, was nonetheless a decent dish and a generous portion. Beers on tap were Great Oakley Wot’s Occurring, Vale VPA, Tiffield Thunderbolt, Littlestone IPA and Dow Bridge Legion. There was also Thatcher’s Gold cider which makes a very pleasant change from the usual dross around these parts. All in all I thought this was a great pub, and the residents of Tiffield are very fortunate to have it as their local.

Official site of the George, includes beer list, menus and events listing - www.thegeorgeattiffield.co.uk

Official site of the George, includes beer list, menus and events listing - www.thegeorgeattiffield.co.uk

A pleasant traditional country inn. Plenty of parking, large beer garden, welcoming landlords, well kept beers and good home cooked locally sourced food. What more could one want