Abington

Head down Wellingborough Road towards Abington and you'll find yourself in one of those pubs that feels like it belongs to the neighbourhood rather than some corporate chain—even though it's Greene King. The crowd here skews genuine: regulars nursing pints, occasional groups spilling in from nearby offices, families making the most of pub food that doesn't insult your intelligence. It's the kind of place where the bar staff know what they're doing, the ale selection won't embarrass you, and you can order food without it arriving looking like it's been through a tumble dryer.