The Old Kings Head Long Buckby

Let me tell you about the The Old Kings Head in Long Buckby, a pub so old and so stubbornly charming that it feels like it’s been propping up the village since before trousers were invented. Walk in, and the first thing you notice is the ceiling—so low that a tall person looks like they’re doing a permanent apology to the beams. If you stand up too fast, you’ll either make a new friend or need a new forehead.

A History You Can Almost Taste

This place dates back to the 16th century, which means it was already ancient when your great-great-grandparents’ grandparents were still figuring out how to use a fork. Legend has it that Oliver Cromwell himself once stopped by for a pint—though honestly, every old pub in England claims that, so let’s just assume he was very, very thirsty. One surprising fact: the pub’s original name was “The King’s Head,” but locals changed it to “Old” after a particularly grumpy landlord insisted he was the true ruler of the bar stool.

The Ghost (Yes, There’s a Ghost)

Of course, no self-respecting historic pub is complete without a spectral resident. The Old Kings Head has a friendly ghost named “Old Reggie,” who reportedly moves glasses from one table to another. Forget about ghostly moans—Reggie just wants you to put your pint down so he can reorganize it. Staff swear they’ve found clean glasses mysteriously stacked upside down, which is either haunting or the world’s most passive-aggressive barman.

What’s on the Menu? (Besides History)

Food-wise, think proper pub grub: bangers and mash so creamy they could double as a hug, and a Sunday roast that’ll make you forget your own name. The steak and ale pie is the stuff of local legend—so dense and savory that some claim it once survived a flood in the kitchen. Don’t skip the chips, which are thick enough to be used as a makeshift hammer in an emergency.

The Old Kings Head Long Buckby Northamptonshire UK | Flickr

The Locals: Your New Best Mates

The regulars are a mix of old farmers, young hipsters, and the odd dog who’s learned to open the door with his nose. Conversation flows as freely as the ale, and if you sit at the bar long enough, you’ll hear the story of the time a cow wandered inside during the 1987 storm. Nobody panicked—they just poured the cow a non-alcoholic cider and let it dry off by the fireplace. That’s Long Buckby for you.

Why You Should Go Right Now

If you’re looking for a quiet, boring night out, go somewhere else. The Old Kings Head is a place where the floors are uneven, the jokes are worse, and the landlord will call you “mate” even if you’ve just insulted his gravy. It’s a pub that remembers when a shilling bought you a pint and a handshake. Go for the history, stay for the ghost, leave with a story you’ll tell your grandkids—provided you don’t hit your head on the way out.