The Falcon Inn

Not much of the castle where Mary, Queen of Scots was executed remains, but this honey-coloured village inn in the shadow of Fotheringhay’s great church is well worth the detour. After a spell in the doldrums, Madison Keys and Zak Perrin have brought the Falcon back to life – hence its welcome return to the Guide. The main bar is home to real fires, proper pints and a menu of pub favourites: there’s a loyal fan base for good-value 'fish and chip Fridays' and ‘easy as pie Mondays’, or you could settle for a bowl of soup with Guinness bread (first made for the village during the pandemic). In the dining room, things move up a gear for the likes of scallops with brown butter, summer truffle and crisp apple matchsticks, or monkfish strewn with salty bacon bits and a cauliflower and vanilla purée. There's real skill on show here and a commitment to local produce, backed by ‘knowledgeable, warm and welcoming’ service. The orangery overlooking the garden is delightful, and drinkers also praise the very decent wine list.