Old Windmill, South Hanningfieldback to pub details please note - reviews on this site are purely the opinion of site visitors, so don't take them too seriously.
I was surprised to see a Brunning & Price pub in this out-of-the-way place near to Hanningfield Reservoir. It's clearly very food-focused. As a drinker, I wasn't made to feel particularly welcome. There is no seating area as such set aside for drinkers. In fact, I sat in an area of tables already reserved for Sunday lunchtime diners. Four ales were on - St Austell Brunning & Price Traditional Bitter, Mighty Oak Kings & Maldon Gold & Brentwood Best. I left with pretty much the same sentiments as the previous reviewer. Not worth your time unless you're eating.
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What a disappointment. As this is a Brunning and Price pub I had hoped for a great experience. But no. A Saturday afternoon for a quick drink, and the staff couldn't be bothered. Almost empty but the barman was too interested in his reflection in anything shiny. When we asked for a G & T he asked what gin we wanted. Told him what we decided and he served a glass with ice and lemon (and a bottle of tonic, although he'd never heard of Fevertree), but no gin. He seemed confused when we suggested a gin may help.
Manager - get a grip!!
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I've added this pub to my list as quite simply I like it very much - steeped in great history, a welcoming venue of a place for many a year and set in some of the nicest Essex countryside. Usually a pub of this size is too big for my liking and it really is an eating house first and drinking pub second but the several ales are of great quality - I think the staff should have one dedicated bar person serving ale and drinks only and the rest multi-tasking with food and drinks. The staff are casually dressed which gives off an easy atmosphere and relaxed setting, which it is. I think evenings would remake this pubg a more drinking establishment and weekend days as a food house. Excellent though, I will return and maybe someone else can drive so that I can really give the larrup a run for its money.
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Popped in for lunch on a saturday last year. They had 7 ales on all from the local crouch vale brewery. Food was tasty though expensive. we moved into the bar area after the meal and sat in some comfy leather sofas and had an enjoyable afternoon.
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I must say that Paul's posting sounds like those description's you read in Holiday brochures, which bear little resemblance to reality. Still, the Old Windmill is quite a pleasant pub. My wife and I went there last Sunday and sat in the garden at the front. We went there because we literally could not get a table at the Cafe on the Water by the reservoir - they had not put enough tables outside. There is a nice selection of ales. I plumped for the Adnams, which was well kept. The food looks nice, if a little expensive. My wife had a small bowl of chips which cost nearly �3. It is popular with diners and the staff were efficient and friendly.
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he Old Windmill in South Hanningfield was originally built in 1702 and has proved to be one the most popular pubs in this pretty part of the Essex countryside
. It's situated very close to the well known Hanningfield Reservoir, famed for it's Trout, and is a popular venue not only for Fisherman but Twitchers and Ramblers alike who take advantage of some of the lovely countryside surrounding the pub in pursuit of their pastimes.
It's a traditional pub in every way with exposed oak beams throughout the premises. It is beautifully kept and an excellent place to come to relax in delightful surroundings.
The well furnished bar has an elegant timeless feel about it and shows unusually dedicated attention to detail.
Paul - 1 Nov 2005 14:40 |
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