The Cuckoo

Restaurant | Peterborough | England | United Kingdom

Traditional British country cuisine

"The Cuckoo" in Peterborough, England, is a charming country pub and restaurant that is part of the renowned Vintage Inns collection. Nestled in the picturesque surroundings of the village of Alwalton, it offers an idyllic escape from the urban hustle while ensuring easy access for visitors to Peterborough. The pub embodies the essence of a traditional British inn with its rustic charm, warm atmosphere, and focus on seasonal, high-quality cuisine. It is a popular gathering spot for families, couples, and friends looking to enjoy a relaxed meal or a cozy drink in a rural setting.

Cozy country pub in England

The cuisine at "The Cuckoo" is deeply rooted in British tradition, placing great emphasis on fresh, seasonal ingredients that are transformed into comforting dishes daily. A definite highlight is the Sunday Roast, served with succulent meat – such as beef or lamb – crispy roast potatoes, and rich gravy, which particularly delights guests on weekends. Equally popular is the Beer Battered Fish and Chips, a classic featuring perfectly fried fish and golden brown chips, capturing the essence of British pub culture. For those seeking something lighter, the Grilled Sea Bass with fresh vegetables and delicate sauce offers an elegant yet down-to-earth alternative. The menu also includes a variety of vegetarian and vegan options, all prepared with the same care to ensure every guest finds something suitable.

Idyllic pub with beer garden

The drink menu at "The Cuckoo" is equally impressive, reflecting the attention to detail that characterizes the pub. It features cask-conditioned ales from local breweries, perfectly complementing the hearty dishes, as well as a carefully curated wine list that includes both classic and modern selections. Noteworthy are the seasonal cocktails, crafted with fresh ingredients that add a special touch to the visit. For non-drinkers, there are homemade lemonades and other refreshing beverages to round out the offerings. The bar serves as a central meeting point where guests enjoy lingering and soaking up the relaxed atmosphere.

Local ingredients and seasonal dishes

The ambiance of "The Cuckoo" is a successful blend of tradition and coziness. The interior boasts dark wooden beams, an open fireplace, and rustic decor that creates a warm, inviting atmosphere – especially in the colder months when the fire crackles. The outdoor area is another gem: a spacious beer garden overlooking the surrounding countryside provides ample seating, including shaded spots ideal for al fresco dining. This garden is popular not only with people but also with dog owners, as the pub is dog-friendly and welcomes four-legged guests.

Dog-friendly restaurant in Peterborough

The service at "The Cuckoo" is often praised for its friendliness and attentiveness. The team strives to provide guests with an enjoyable experience, whether through recommendations for food and drinks or prompt service on busy days. The restaurant is versatile, suitable for a quiet meal for two or larger gatherings, with generous space and the outdoor area accommodating celebrations or family outings. Regular patrons appreciate the consistency of quality and the warm welcome they receive on every visit.

"The Cuckoo" is also known for its proximity to nature, with walking trails and attractions such as the Nene Valley nearby, making it a perfect starting point for a day in the countryside. It offers practical options like takeaway, allowing guests to enjoy their favorite dishes at home. The combination of traditional cuisine, a diverse drink selection, and an inviting atmosphere makes the pub a highlight for both locals and visitors alike.

Contact details

Web

Phone

Address
20 Oundle Rd
Alwalton
PE7 3UP Peterborough

Map view

Opening hours

Sunday11:30 - 22:30
Monday11:30 - 22:00
Tuesday11:30 - 22:00
Wednesday11:30 - 22:00
Thursday11:30 - 23:00
Friday11:30 - 23:00
Saturday11:30 - 23:00

Reviews

2924 Reviews

Lisa Jane
09.03.2025

Had a lovely Sunday lunch at this characterful pub / restaurant, we were served by Reece who was polite; cordial and helpful, thank you. We have been coming to this pub for several years now and have even enjoyed Christmas lunch here in a great atmosphere. Highly recommend!
Sophie Dillon
09.03.2025

Lovely Sunday afternoon pub, the roast pork is absolutely delicious! Kaci’s service was great and added to the overall experience :)
Amy Kathryn
09.03.2024

Delicious meal for my birthday and brilliant, friendly service too from Reece. Thank you
Ritchie Lloyd
09.03.2025

Excellent as always at a Vinrage Inns Sunday dinner
ryan henegan
09.03.2025

Eaten here a few times, fantastic staff, excellent food by Scott!
kyle matthews
15.02.2025

Absolutely love this pub. The fires really make your visit so chill and cosy, had the signature burger and it was delicious. Louis let us know about the refurbishment so cannot wait to visit again I love this pub!
Simon R
22.10.2024

Lovely
lewis abbott
19.02.2025

Food was cooked to perfection. Sunday roast was piping hot and portion size was huge 100% recommend to anyone and will be back soon Can't wait to see what the refurb brings
Becca Musson
08.03.2025

We turned up at 19:30 for our reservation booked 4 days prior. We were told our table was unavailable and directed to the bar. We waited at the bar for over an hour (having one drink) before having to ask to we had been forgotten about at which point we were told by a rather embarrassed member of staff that we had been forgotten about. We said never mind and were seated, and tried to be very reasonable about it. We then had 3 attempts at ordering as nothing off the menu was available, the weekend menu only had a couple of options left and we ended up getting burger and pizza which to be honest we didn’t need to travel all the way to Alwalton to get. When the bill finally came it had “drunk refusal on it” despite us only having ordered 2 drinks. We we queried it with the waiter taking our paying he said it was a mistake and when we dared to say “bit of an offensive mistake” he then got aggressive. At this point I completely forgot I had a £10 off voucher so have now paid more than I needed to and don’t want to be further humiliated by raising it with staff. Needless to say you have just lost a customer of over 6 years. I have never had such a disappointing experience in a Peterborough restaurant.
codeRED459
08.03.2025

We had an absolutely amazing experience at The Cuckoo. The food was exceptional—beautifully cooked, full of flavor, and well worth the price for the quality. Despite it being a busy Saturday, the staff were incredibly kind, attentive, and genuinely caring, which made the visit even more enjoyable. The pub itself is lovely, with a warm and welcoming atmosphere that makes you feel right at home. It’s the perfect spot for a great meal and a relaxed evening. We’ll definitely be returning!
John Webb
08.03.2025

Lovely place, great timely service by Reece
James Porter
08.03.2025

Thanks to Janeel for making our visit such a memorable experience. Food was delicious too!
Peter Mewes
07.03.2025

Kaci was our waitress who was very polite and friendly throughout. Great food, great service and a great venue.
Max Hill
07.03.2025

We live locally in Ortan and have visited semi-regularly. However, during our last three visits, at least one person in our party was unable to get an item due to it not being available, including the peppercorn sauce, which has been consistently disappointing. Additionally, we noticed that the restaurant was quite cold, making it uncomfortable to fully enjoy our meal. I did share this with the management team but did not get a response.
Iain Ogden
05.03.2025

I've eaten here a few times whilst away on business and always enjoy it. Great pub atmosphere serving good food, traditional ales all with great service. Until the next time.
J C
02.03.2025

Food was okay, lasagne was good quality but quite small, beer was bottom of the barrel so made us sick and after sitting down, we were told by staff that our table was reserved for 45 minutes time
Kathryn
02.03.2025

Fab thanks!
craig hoad
02.03.2025

Our waitress Janeel was super friendly and a real pleasure to have a chat with while ordering our food.
stuart appleton
02.03.2025

We were served by Jancel. The food was great and the service was even better, they catered for some awkward allergies happily.
Hannah Bonney
02.03.2025

Lovely family meal and great food! Dannielle gave us great recommendations and great service! Thank you
simon groom
01.03.2025

Family get together, 15 of us saying farewell to couple emigrating. Leah was fantastic, nothing was too much trouble.
Ace Tinqah
01.03.2025

Food was lovely, no long wait and perfect service from Leah and Louis, very polite and great service!
aiden rowe
01.03.2025

Food was excellent, service was on point and the atmosphere was bubbly.
Caesy-mae Cady
01.03.2025

Leah was our waiter she was amazing
Sam Dickens
01.03.2025

Reece our server was great and the food was absolutely wonderful. Thank you all 😃

 

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