Northants, Leics &amp; Rutland


<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="980" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/northantsleicsrutland/wp-content/uploads/sites/26/2025/06/The-Admiral-Hornblower-001.jpeg" alt="Admiral hornblower Oakham " class="wp-image-59426" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/northantsleicsrutland/wp-content/uploads/sites/26/2025/06/The-Admiral-Hornblower-001.jpeg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/northantsleicsrutland/wp-content/uploads/sites/26/2025/06/The-Admiral-Hornblower-001-300x294.jpeg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/northantsleicsrutland/wp-content/uploads/sites/26/2025/06/The-Admiral-Hornblower-001-768x753.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-lowdown">THE LOWDOWN</h2>



<p>You say Hornblower, I say Ioan Gruffud in a pair of white breeches and shiny gold epaulettes. But that&#8217;s all so Y2K coded and we&#8217;ve been told by the powers that be to make our cultural references more contemporary, so banish thoughts of derring do on the high seas and sail away instead to the very well-heeled, landlocked Oakham, home to <a href="https://www.hornblowerhotel.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Admiral Hornblower</a>. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-vibe">THE VIBE</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="658" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/northantsleicsrutland/wp-content/uploads/sites/26/2025/06/Admiral-Hornblower-002.jpeg" alt="Admiral hornblower dining room" class="wp-image-59428" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/northantsleicsrutland/wp-content/uploads/sites/26/2025/06/Admiral-Hornblower-002.jpeg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/northantsleicsrutland/wp-content/uploads/sites/26/2025/06/Admiral-Hornblower-002-300x197.jpeg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/northantsleicsrutland/wp-content/uploads/sites/26/2025/06/Admiral-Hornblower-002-768x505.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>Extensively and stylishly refurbed following a fire last year, the Hornblower is nothing less than you&#8217;d expect from the family run team who also head up the two-time and National Muddy Award winning <a href="https://www.finchsarms.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Finch&#8217;s Arms</a> in nearby Hambleton. Think elevated gastro pub vibes with a typically English mix of wooden floorboards and quarry tiles, open fires, exposed beams and stonework, elegant paneling and a soft, contemporary colour palette. There&#8217;s a collection of cosy rooms, with a bright and airy dining room at the back and a large outdoor dining terrace for sunny, <em>al fresco</em> days. </p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="1206" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/northantsleicsrutland/wp-content/uploads/sites/26/2025/06/Admiral-Hornblower-003.jpeg" alt="Fireside armchair admiral hornblower gastropub oakham rutland" class="wp-image-59431" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/northantsleicsrutland/wp-content/uploads/sites/26/2025/06/Admiral-Hornblower-003.jpeg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/northantsleicsrutland/wp-content/uploads/sites/26/2025/06/Admiral-Hornblower-003-249x300.jpeg 249w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/northantsleicsrutland/wp-content/uploads/sites/26/2025/06/Admiral-Hornblower-003-849x1024.jpeg 849w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/northantsleicsrutland/wp-content/uploads/sites/26/2025/06/Admiral-Hornblower-003-768x926.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>Scrubbed wooden tables are dressed with fresh, seasonal flowers and linen napkins, and there are cosy book nooks and comfy armchairs to sink into. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-scoff-amp-quaff">SCOFF &amp; QUAFF</h2>



<p>It&#8217;s no surprise that the food here is exceptionally good, with such an experienced and passionately foodie team at the helm, and there&#8217;s a focus on seasonality, with a menu that changes depending on what&#8217;s fresh and available. The emphasis is on modern British pub fare executed to the highest level, but with an occasional delicious sprinkling of the Ottolenghi about it. </p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="1333" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/northantsleicsrutland/wp-content/uploads/sites/26/2025/06/Admiral-Hornblower-005.jpg" alt="Admiral hornblower sunday roast veggie" class="wp-image-59434" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/northantsleicsrutland/wp-content/uploads/sites/26/2025/06/Admiral-Hornblower-005.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/northantsleicsrutland/wp-content/uploads/sites/26/2025/06/Admiral-Hornblower-005-225x300.jpg 225w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/northantsleicsrutland/wp-content/uploads/sites/26/2025/06/Admiral-Hornblower-005-768x1024.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>We dropped in for Sunday lunch with the kids and were absolutely famished, so immediately got stuck in to a heavenly plate of soft focaccia with treacly balsamic and zingy olive oil, before plunging headlong into our main courses. </p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="750" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/northantsleicsrutland/wp-content/uploads/sites/26/2025/06/Admiral-Hornblower-006.jpg" alt="roast beed yorkshire pudding admiral hornblower oakham" class="wp-image-59436" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/northantsleicsrutland/wp-content/uploads/sites/26/2025/06/Admiral-Hornblower-006.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/northantsleicsrutland/wp-content/uploads/sites/26/2025/06/Admiral-Hornblower-006-300x225.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/northantsleicsrutland/wp-content/uploads/sites/26/2025/06/Admiral-Hornblower-006-768x576.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>I went for the veggie roast, a butternut squash and lentil Wellington, served with Yorkshire pudding, garlic and herb roasties, honey roast carrots and seasonal greens and my youngest daughter (always the one to choose the most expensive thing on the menu) had the treacle cured rump of beef with all the trimmings. The roasts were utterly divine and, honestly, just the right amount on the plate &#8211; very hearty but not ridiculous. My only point to note was that the actual plates were a little small for the quantity of food, which made it slightly awkward trying to keep it all contained. Nonetheless, we managed to get every scrap down the hatch, so bravo to us. </p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="695" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/northantsleicsrutland/wp-content/uploads/sites/26/2025/06/Admiral-Hornblower-007.jpeg" alt="Admiral hornblower fish and chips" class="wp-image-59437" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/northantsleicsrutland/wp-content/uploads/sites/26/2025/06/Admiral-Hornblower-007.jpeg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/northantsleicsrutland/wp-content/uploads/sites/26/2025/06/Admiral-Hornblower-007-300x209.jpeg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/northantsleicsrutland/wp-content/uploads/sites/26/2025/06/Admiral-Hornblower-007-768x534.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>Mr Muddy chose the beer battered &#8216;Day Boat Fish&#8217;, served with chunky chips, crushed peas and tartare sauce, which was typically enormous. He had to fight to keep his chips (the kind that are lovely and crisp outside and fluffy in the middle) despite the rest of us all having potatoes on our own plates too. They were good, what can I say? Good job he was distracted by his pint of Guinness.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="750" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/northantsleicsrutland/wp-content/uploads/sites/26/2025/06/Admiral-Hornblower-008.jpg" alt="Tarte tatin shallot admiral hornblower" class="wp-image-59438" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/northantsleicsrutland/wp-content/uploads/sites/26/2025/06/Admiral-Hornblower-008.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/northantsleicsrutland/wp-content/uploads/sites/26/2025/06/Admiral-Hornblower-008-300x225.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/northantsleicsrutland/wp-content/uploads/sites/26/2025/06/Admiral-Hornblower-008-768x576.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>The eldest opted for shallot and thyme <em>tarte tatin</em> with herby new potatoes, grilled tenderstem broccoli and smoked almonds, which she devoured happily and which looked absolutely incredible on the plate. </p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="750" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/northantsleicsrutland/wp-content/uploads/sites/26/2025/06/Admiral-Hornblower-010.jpg" alt="Cookie dough miso dessert admiral hornblower oakham" class="wp-image-59440" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/northantsleicsrutland/wp-content/uploads/sites/26/2025/06/Admiral-Hornblower-010.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/northantsleicsrutland/wp-content/uploads/sites/26/2025/06/Admiral-Hornblower-010-300x225.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/northantsleicsrutland/wp-content/uploads/sites/26/2025/06/Admiral-Hornblower-010-768x576.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>Puddings were a baked triple chocolate miso cooke dough with salted caramel ice cream, shared &#8211; well battled over &#8211; between the teens and a tonka bean panna cotta with fresh English strawberries, honeycomb and strawberry ice cream (divine &#8211; tonka bean is my new favourite thing) shared between the grown-ups. I&#8217;m not a massive pudding person, especially as it&#8217;s so often the case that you get the same things on every pub menu, but creating interesting, uniquely flavoured desserts really is a strong point at The Hornblower. </p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="666" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/northantsleicsrutland/wp-content/uploads/sites/26/2025/06/Admiral-Hornblower-011.jpg" alt="Dessert tink bean panna cotta admiral hornblower oakham" class="wp-image-59442" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/northantsleicsrutland/wp-content/uploads/sites/26/2025/06/Admiral-Hornblower-011.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/northantsleicsrutland/wp-content/uploads/sites/26/2025/06/Admiral-Hornblower-011-300x200.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/northantsleicsrutland/wp-content/uploads/sites/26/2025/06/Admiral-Hornblower-011-768x511.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-pillow-talk">PILLOW TALK</h2>



<p>Fancy sleeping over? There are 10 ensuite rooms in this 17th century former farmhouse, all of which have been gorgeously furnished in typical Hornblower style &#8211; we&#8217;re calling it elevated English rustic, but there&#8217;s maybe a hint of smart French <em>brocante</em> going on too. One of the rooms has a fancy four poster bed in a rather on-trend shade of butter yellow, though all of the rooms have generous sized beds, as well as tea and coffee making facilities, TV and room service available, with breakfast included.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-out-amp-about">OUT  &amp; ABOUT</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="832" height="1024" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/northantsleicsrutland/wp-content/uploads/sites/26/2024/07/Rutland-Nursery-832x1024.jpeg" alt="Rutland Nursery Oakham" class="wp-image-48844" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/northantsleicsrutland/wp-content/uploads/sites/26/2024/07/Rutland-Nursery-832x1024.jpeg 832w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/northantsleicsrutland/wp-content/uploads/sites/26/2024/07/Rutland-Nursery-244x300.jpeg 244w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/northantsleicsrutland/wp-content/uploads/sites/26/2024/07/Rutland-Nursery-768x945.jpeg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/northantsleicsrutland/wp-content/uploads/sites/26/2024/07/Rutland-Nursery-1248x1536.jpeg 1248w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/northantsleicsrutland/wp-content/uploads/sites/26/2024/07/Rutland-Nursery.jpeg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 832px) 100vw, 832px" /></figure>



<p>There’s a a lovely selection of boutique shops and galleries in town including the Muddy Award winning <a href="https://cavells.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Cavells</a>, which &#8211; fashionistas beware &#8211; is impossible to leave empty handed. <a href="https://walkersbookshops.co.uk/">Walkers of Oakham</a> is a much-loved indie bookshop, always worth a rummage. Rutland Water is on the doorstep for water sports, cycling and delightful walks, whilst <a href="https://www.discover-rutland.co.uk/listing/oakham-castle">Oakham Castle</a>, just across the road, is a fine example of Norman architecture and has been beautifully restored. At <a href="https://www.discover-rutland.co.uk/listing/rutland-county-museum">Rutland County Museum</a> you can explore the exciting archaeological discoveries of the area and not too far away, <a href="https://www.rutlandnursery.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Rutland Nursery</a> (above), just five minutes down the road, is a must-visit for garden enthusiasts and the sublime <a href="https://burghley.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Burghley House</a> has a fantastic kids’ adventure playground alongside the house, gardens and deer park. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-kid-friendly">KID FRIENDLY?</h2>



<p>Absolutely, we went with our teens, but there were other families with younger children and babies in high chairs. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-dog-friendly">DOG FRIENDLY?</h2>



<p>Sorry, best to leave the pet pooch at home while you come and enjoy this stylish foodie pub. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-accessibility">ACCESSIBILITY</h2>



<p>Overall, fairly wheelchair accessible but, as you might anticipate with a 400 year old building there is the odd lip to navigate on the ground floor. If you&#8217;re staying overnight there are two ground floor bedrooms for those that require wheelchair access.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-muddy-verdict">THE MUDDY VERDICT</h2>



<p><strong>Good for:</strong> Family meals and gathering with friends, Sunday lunch, quiet drinks and cosy date nights. </p>



<p><strong>Not for</strong>: Olde worlde pub drinkers looking to nurse a pint all night need not apply &#8211; the Hornblower is as sexy and fresh as the name suggests. </p>



<p><strong>The damage:</strong> Not bad at all, especially given the impeccable quality of the dishes. Starters from £8, mains from £16-£24 and very impressive desserts from £7. </p>



<p><em><a href="https://www.hornblowerhotel.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Admiral Hornblower</a>, 64 High Street, Oakham, Rutland, LE15 6AS</em></p>


Review: The Admiral Hornblower, Oakham

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