The Finch's Arms, Oakham

Steve of N21 left this review about The Finch's Arms

This one has clearly undergone a makeover and repositioning since the previous reviews, as the front garden has gone and the internal space and especially the bar area remodelled and it is now more of a modern posh restaurant and 10 bed hotel than it is a pub. But there are certain reasons why it is worth a visit.
Firstly its location on the Hambleton Peninsula jutting out into the reservoir and as one of the few eating and drinking spots around and especially for a few miles when on the Peninsula, makes it a popular stop for walkers, cyclists and car propelled tourists.
But more importantly, it does very good food and also a couple of very good ales.
We actually used it in its capacity as a hotel for a three night stay and utilised it thoroughly as a bar and restaurant.
It markets itself as a 17th century English country inn, and although you get a bit of the age of the building in the remaining two small lounge rooms next to the even smaller two sided bar serving area, the larger dining rooms beyond, where the focus now is, are thoroughly modern in layout and decor, although some nice wood panelling in these rooms have been added to give a sense of the past.
Then beyond the dining area is an excellent stone patio garden space hemmed in by trees and bushes, but the far end does give a very good view towards the reservoir.
On the beer front the small bar top now supports three hand pumps but only two ales were available and TT Landlord and Old Session Hen were on for the duration of our stay and seem to attract enough attention to keep them regularly changed and in good condition.
As a pub experience my recommendation would be to treat this one now as a good restaurant where you can get a decent ale, but if you are here on a fine day in the summer months then the external garden justifies it as a stop just for drinks.

On 18^th July 2025 - rating: 6
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