The Fitzwilliam Arms

went here for lunch with my mum and brother to remember my dad who had passed away 25 years that day, we chose to come here as he use to enjoy coming up here when me and my brother were small. Anyway staff were in no hurry to take our order, the lunch menu was limited even though it was a good price. My brother asked for no seasoning on his chips, however when they came out there was definitely seasoning on there, the waitress took it back to the chef. The meal came back and we were told there was no seasoning on chips, we were still unsure, therefore the waitress seemed a little unhappy and it made us feel uncomfortable. The gammon steak was tiny, and the service was slow. We did not have time for a desert even though it was part of the lunch menu, we left without anyone saying goodbye. Would think the staff could be a little more compassionate, I understand a lot of funeral parties use this public house after a service at the crematorium. Would like to think they have better service than we did as it was a particularly sad day for us and we left feeling very unhappy.

The pub looks good and the atmosphere is relaxed and welcoming. Service was also good. The food, however, was a let down. Calamari starter was overcooked and rubbery. Two chicken dishes were dry and would have been inedible but for the sauces served with them!

Food is great, and if you go on a Sunday the best waitress is there (I’m not sure of her name but she’s blonde with glasses!)
We sometimes just pop in on our way back to our village for a pint and a brownie. They have a good selection of ales and continental larger (Staropramen is our favourite!) and the atmosphere is really cosy.

The Fitzwilliam Arms had a refurbishment towards the end of 2010 and the result is a lovely cosy pub. The menu’s are typical Vintage Inns (although it’s worth noting the slight price differences between the Fitzwilliam Arms and the Cuckoo — another Vintage Inns pub in Peterborough).
We visited one lunchtime just before Christmas and the pub was pretty full. We found a table in one of the snugs to the side of the bar and read through the menus. Bar staff and waitresses were all great, no complaints there however when it came to the food, my wife and I were disappointed.
I ordered the homemade beefburger (nothing out of the ordinary) and my wife the handmade fishcakes. We didn’t order starters. After about 40 minutes of sitting there without food we got the attention of one of the waitresses who was very apologetic and rushed off to the kitchen. About 10 – 15 minutes later our food arrived — I can only guess that our order had been lost.
By this time we were in two minds — whilst we were annoyed at the wait, we were also glad to finally receive our food!
Whilst my wife’s fishcakes were perfectly nice, my both the beef patty and the bun of my burger were dry, to the point that the bun fell apart as soon as I lifted it from the plate.
The taste of the burger was average, slightly too well done on the outside which left it with a bitter chargrilled flavour which is a shame for a £8.75 burger.
This may be an odd thing to say given the criticisms above but we would both happily return to the Fitzwilliam Arms for another meal. Firstly, the pub was very inviting and secondly, it was a busy lunchtime service and whilst it shouldn’t impact on a customer’s enjoyment, I should have known better and given the pub a miss. Next time I’ll return on a quieter day!

Visited Fitzwilliam Arms with my husband and little boy, i have to say the look of the pub is very nice but we were not impressed with the food served up. The menu looked very appetizing we both ordered burgers my husbands being and 8oz beef burger served with salad and bacon and mine being a chicken burger. Both came with chips. When the food arrived it was disappointing to see that my husbands burger was tiny inside a huge bread roll, which when cut in half there was no more than one mouthfull in each half certainly not an 8oz burger and it was missing the bacon, salad and mayonaise! The chicken burger was fine however the chips served with both meals were soggy a reminder of primary svchool dinners! Dinner out the way i needed to change my little boys nappy, could not see a baby changing facility and there was nobody available to ask as staff were busy so i ended up having to change his nappy on the floor of one of the toilet cubicles in the ladies not exactly hygeinic and doesn’t set a good impression for a family orientated pub. We will not be visiting again in a hurry.

Had a nice meal at the fitzwilliam tuseday night, burns night, veg stew a bit watery other than that great value ! Anne the waitress very good.

Revamped pub serves up plenty of tasty treats
Peterborough Evening Telegraph review: The Fitzwilliam Arms in Marholm has just undergone a major facelift.
The revamp, which has included new fitted seating, a new colour scheme and layered curtains, has also created 15 new jobs, 10 working at the front of the pub and five in the kitchen.
Landlady Kerry Ridge, who took over the pub in June, said: We’ve had a complete refurbishment and it is looking really good.
The olde worlde charm still prevails but we’re also providing modern comforts. It’s a best of both worlds.
And I have to say, I agree.
The pub is beautiful, not only on the outside, with its picture perfect location and thatched roof, but also in the inside which is cosy and contemporary.
Unfortunately, our first impression was spoilt by the initial service we received. Not only did the barman ignore us for several minutes, there seemed to be some confusion over our booking — which no one could find. Once this was resolved, however, and we were shown to our seats, the experience got much better and our waitress, Cristy, was polite, attentive and friendly.
The menu at the Fitzwilliam is extensive offering plenty of dishes to suit all tastes.
I chose the sauteed tiger prawns for my starter, which consisted of prawn in roasted garlic and tomato and parsley butter.
The prawns were cooked to perfection and the roasted tomatoes delicious, my only criticism is that for £5.45 I would have expected the dish to have consisted of more than just three prawns!
My husband chose the Piedmont peppers, topped with French goats cheese, rocket and a balsamic dressings, £3.95.
Unfortunately this starter was overcooked so the peppers were a slightly mushy and in some places burnt.
The main courses however were fantastic.
Cristy recommended the slow-​cooked lamb (lamb shoulder, slow braised with mint and rosemary, served with dauphinoise potatoes, steamed asparagus and garden peas), £11.95. The meat literally fell of the bone and was so tasty. I loved it.
My husband chose the Greek chicken dish. This consisted of baked chicken breast topped with feta, pine nuts and basil, served on mash with roasted sweet pepper and peperonata sauce, £10.95. This was beautifully presented, and tasted amazing.
The pub’s children’s menu also offers plenty of choice from soup of the day to scampi and rump steak and tomato strozzapreti. My son, Samuel, opted for the sausage and mash with peas and gravy. The helping was generous, but thoroughly enjoyed.
He scrapped the plate clean and even had room for two scoops of chocolate ice-​cream and chocolate sauce.
We could not fault the main courses or the service we received from Cristy, but some work still needs to be done on the initial welcome.
By Julia Ogden, 17 December 2010,

Decided to go to The Fitwilliam Arms on Sunday lunchtime with my wife and son from London. Managed to book a table and was impressed with the service and quality of their Sunday roasts. Checked the menu — will definitely be returning to try something else.

Good food, good service and good atmosphere. Ample parking.
Overall a very nice place to go to.
Must add that the chief cook reminds me of Gordon Ramsey in Hell’s Kitchen when she walks around the restaurant…

I was disappointed last time I visited the Fitzwilliam Arms to find that the menu was identical to The Cuckoo in Alwalton so they have obviously been taken over by the same people. Despite this loss of individuality the food was good as was the service although this was hindered ever so slightly by the strange conversations the waitress tried to start up in an effort to make small talk but I won’t hold this against the establishment in general. I have unfortunately had a bad experience at this pub before when going there for a friend’s wake to be told very rudely by staff that we were sitting in the wrong part of the pub (despite there being no other customers at the time) with no regard or respect for the fact that we had just been at a funeral. This appears to have been a one off but one that really sticks in the mind.

The word Gastropub was invented for this place. The Fitzwilliam Arms, is a pub in the true sense, but also has quite an aspirational menu that is well cooked and is of a good standard.
I have visted here twice, and once we were given table service, and another time we had to order at the bar. Once we got round that inconsistency, the menu was offered to us.
A good selection of pub choices, so fish and chips, steak, curry, pie are all offered. They also have a specials board which varies and sometimes has some exotic dishes on it. I saw a apinach and paneer curry, which previously I had only seen in an Indian cook book or Indian restauarant, but never at a pub.
Desserts are also good choices, with traditional old school options served with custard and lighter bites such as cheesecake.
Being a pub they had a choice of three real ales so most people were content with that.
The FA offered a good choice of food, of good quality at very reasonable prices.
I certainly will return.