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The Olde Vic - Burton Latimer

Serving delicious food and drink with a side of friendly, welcoming, and lively vibes, it’s time to put the spotlight on The Olde Victoria pub in Burton Latimer!

Olde Victoria pub with members of staff in front

With its warm atmosphere, variety of drinks, and a menu full of traditional pub food classics and more, it’s easy to see why this place is so popular with locals and visitors alike. We stopped by on a sunny afternoon to meet Matthew and loved seeing how busy it was with lots of people soaking up summer in the beautiful garden area.

The pub is a big part of the local community here. It has a long history dating back to the 1820s when it began life as a small bar called The Horse and Groom. It was affectionately renamed to The Jockey by the locals, and over time it has expanded and evolved, with lots of refurbishments along the way. It eventually became The Olde Victoria back in the 1980s, more commonly known as The Olde Vic.

I run the pub together with Simon and Louise, and a team of 12 full-time, and 20 part-time staff who are all from the local area. We are a well-oiled machine, and all bring something different, which helps make the pub the special place it is today. We are independently run, which is brilliant as it gives us the freedom to make our own decisions; this works very well for us.

We proudly serve gin from local distillery Warners Gin, along with ale, beer, and cider from local breweries including Potbelly Brewery, Nene Valley Brewery, and Saxby’s Cider. On the food menu you’ll find traditional British pub food which we know our customers love! We have local dishes including the ever-popular Brixworth Pâté, and other cuisine too, we cater for all tastes and dietary requirements. Our menu design is a true team effort, with staff being encouraged to contribute ideas to keep thing fresh.

My background is in the hospitality industry, and I have a lot of energy and enthusiasm for it, which you definitely need when working in a pub! I enjoy dining out with my own family and know how important it is for people to have a great experience, especially as it is a special treat, and can be expensive. We work hard here to make every visit memorable, with something for all budgets, and we ensure our guests get good value for their money, and leave feeling satisfied. I think we are doing something right as we are often fully booked!

We offer something different to other restaurants in the town and are always happy to recommend places to our customers, it’s important to work together with other local businesses in this way because it helps the town.

Everyone feels at home here, and I find that heart-warming. It’s a lovely setting to catch up with friends, enjoy a cosy meal, or relax on your own. You’ll always find a friendly face, and the team are dedicated to excellent customer service, even when working under pressure; they sometimes serve up around 200 meals in a day! This is reflected in the glowing reviews we regularly receive which makes us very proud.

We’ve had some lovely warm sunny days recently, and our large garden area is a very popular place to soak up the sunshine. A local lady and one of our customers, Jeanette, is a keen gardener and volunteers her time to keep the flowers thriving. She’s a talented photographer too and we have her photos of Burton Latimer on display in the bar area. Our customers are important to us, and one of the best parts of the job is getting to know them and building connections like this.

We happily host community groups and special occasion events, it’s great that people choose The Olde Vic. The local WI group have already booked in for their annual Christmas meal, and we have just announced a fundraising event for St Mary’s Church, where the pub will be holding a fancy-dress disco in October. It’s always a brilliant evening, and very popular, so get your tickets early for that one!

Well-behaved dogs are more than welcome and will often get a treat from behind the bar. We also sell ice-cream for dogs which has been popular over the summer.

I think the fact that we all love the pub makes it stand out, and the place it is today. It’s somewhere that people can enjoy all year round. It might sound sad, but I enjoy popping in on my day off, I can’t keep away!
Matthew - The Olde Victoria

The Olde Vic is open daily for lunch and dinner where you can enjoy the cosy bar, recently refurbished restaurant, and gorgeous pub garden. Check out their website for opening hours and book ahead for the restaurant as this is a spot that’s always in high demand!

Whether you’re a resident of Burton Latimer or just visiting, it’s the perfect place to experience the warm and lively spirit of the town. Free parking is available close by, and you’ll find plenty of other small businesses to explore in the town.

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Last updated 21 August 2024