We're finally going out out and it's going to be an absolute corker. Bring on the sunshine so we can soak it up with our fave tipple in one of these gorgeous Northants pub gardens.

The Tollemache Arms, Harrington

It’s just around the corner from the Warner’s gin distillery, so we know what we’ll be guzzling at the Tolly this summer with our fave tonic. There’s an extensive menu here, from sharing platters to handmade pizzas, salad bowls and pub classics, so something for everyone. Plus, the spacious garden is perfect for watching the sun go down across the picturesque Northamptonshire countryside.

The Kings Arms, Farthingstone

Everything about the King’s Arms is a bit bonkers, from the chintz sofas to the Northamptonshire skittles room. Nothing about this place fits a slick, modern mould, but spit and sawdust it ain’t, you’ll get outstanding food including fresh fish straight from Billingsgate and Baja Cantina street food, oh, and the garden is a fairytale. Every inch is covered in succulents siphoned into recycled containers (wellies, tin cans, old buckets) trash sculptures and secret hideaways, and each table sits in its own little socially distanced ‘room’. Perf.

The Plough, Everdon

From the outstanding food, to the gorgeous country chic decor, to the friendly community vibes, The Plough is very high on our fave pubs list and that’s before we even get to the beautiful garden with its incredible views across the rolling Northamptonshire countryside, kids play equipment and plenty of space between the jauntily mismatched tables. Oh, and did we mention brocante barn, The Furrow? We absolutely cannot leave this place without buying some gorgeous vintage planters or a bentwood chair. On a hot summer’s day this lovely spot feels like being on holiday in the South of France. Make ours a Pernod.

185 Watling Street, Towcester

You’d never know it from its prominent position on this busy Towcester street, but the garden at 185 is hidden gem dotted with mature shady trees and summer flowers. The Muddy crew can vouch for the house nachos and what better way to wile away a sunny afternoon with cheeky glass or three with friends? 185 is also a fab place to take the kids, with a special children’s menu and plenty of space to play.

The Butchers Arms, Greens Norton

The Butchers Arms does that rare thing of being a friendly community pub whilst also managing to lay on a really exciting menu. Not to mention the fab cocktails and a pared back, industrial-chic vibe. Muddy (rather vaguely) remembers frequenting this pub as a spritely young teen and, although things are a bit blurry, it is resolutely more zhuzhy nowadays that it was in the (ahem) ’90s. The lovely terraced garden here is a sun trap, perfect for a family meal or an afternoon soaking up the Pimm’s.

The Cromwell Cottage, Kislingbury

Spacious, bursting with character and dishing up good food, good beer and good vibes. The Cromwell Cottage is an absolute must for family gatherings, date nights and socially distanced drinks in the garden. The Muddy crew will be mainlining Aperol Spritz and tucking into mezze platter here under a shady parasol asap.

The Fox and Hounds, Harlestone

The Fox and Hounds is a great pub to see and be seen where it sits in a prominent village location, attracting jovial crowds of well-heeled prosecco-quaffers. It’s more pashminas and chinos than overalls and scruffs, so what better excuse than to get dressed up (as IF we need telling twice) and sample the fabulously refreshing range of gins – it’s good for keeping the flies at bay apparently…cin cin!

Tap and Kitchen, Oundle Wharf

The river terrace here is the perfect spot to wile away a summer’s afternoon/evening/weekend with people you love, nestled right beside the wharf with lovely views. But you won’t even notice the lovely surroundings because the food is well and truly the main attraction at Tap and Kitchen, with an emphasis on locally sourced ingredients prepared to enjoy socially which, frankly, is everything right now. It is dog friendly on the terrace but maybe not if you have the kind of mad dog like the Muddy pooch, who is highly likely to hurl himself into the river.

The Crown Inn, Weston

Ok, we admit it, The Crown is a slight curveball, as the terrace garden is approximately the size of a postage stamp, with just a handful of tables, but size isn’t everything. We cannot think of a lovelier spot for a lazy evening with friends and a bottle of rose, overlooking the pretty country lane and stone farmhouses in this quaint little village. And the food here is out of this world too.

The Falcon Inn, Fotheringhay

Ooh, we are SO excited to be able to get back to The Falcon and enjoy one of their amazing BBQ and pizza nights in the beautiful garden here. The Falcon is a foodie pub, where excellent, locally sourced ingredients are served with real attention to detail, so if you are looking for somewhere really special for a breakout destination, then make it here.

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