please note - reviews on this site are purely the opinion of site visitors, so don't take them too seriously.
Went back recently to see if my previous comment was unfair. It wasn't !!!
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Not a patch on the Orange Tree. I've got no complaints about the beer as it has been consistantly good but there is simply no atmosphere.
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Chelmsford's best pub, in my opinion. Excellent range and quality of ales, Decent pub food, convivial atmosphere, nice building and friendly landlord all add up to a great place to enjoy a few ales.
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Great place with a superb range of real ales. Called in on a pub crawl, but could have happily spent the whole night in here.
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A good welcome and pint of beer in a very pleasant pub. Enjoyed the Crouch Vale offerings and would include this pub as being one of the best in Chelmsford.
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The best pub in Chelmsford? I'm not sure about that. I wouldn't like to try sliding a fag paper between this and the neighbouring Orange Tree in terms of quality.
It is a good pub but I think Roger Protz (I believe it was he who put it in the ST's 25 best list) might have been suffering from an excess of exuberance, if not real ale, when he gave such praise.
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The Queen's head has definteley overcome the passing of the previous legendary
Landlord.
Still has 7/8 beers on offer. Although now at least 4 always from the Crouch Vale brewery. Beer in excellent condition, and Essex boys bitter only �2.36 a pint. Great value.
Pleasant clean interior, and pleasant .customers
Great real fire in the winter.
Still deserves a visit on any trip to Chelmsford.
Is this Chelmsford's premier Public House ?
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I used to live almost opposite the Queens,i used the pub on occasions and enjoyed the fact their was good beer and no music.I must say that since Dave took over as landlord the pub is a lot cleaner .i now use the pub more regularly than i did when i lived opposite ,there is allways a very nice atmosphere the beer is very good the food is very reasonable and there is always some one to have a chat with.Dave and his staff are all friendly and if you like banter Dave's your man.If you like pub snacks with your pint expect to make friends with the pub dog (cheeky) .
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This is by far the best pub in Chelmsford (and quite probably the whole of Essex). When I went to the Chelmsford Beer festival I found this pub had a better selection and in far better condition than they had at the festival.
anonymous - 18 Oct 2009 20:56 |
Real Ale Heaven. What I'd give to live in Lower Anchor Street - both the QH and the Orange Tree on your doorstep. And a superb All Day Brekkie to Boot
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Voted one of the best 25 pubs in todays Sunday Telegraph.
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Update from my post of earlier this year.
The Queens Head was found to be bang on form over the past number of visits, great beer, great atmosphere and staff with a warm smile. Well done to the new Landlord.
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Visited for the first time since September 2003. Seemed a lot quieter than previously experienced, in the front area where I was sitting there were 3 or 4 people at the bar and another group of four guys spent around an hour here whilst on a crawl.
Fantastic range of eight ales on, I sampled seven of these, drinking mainly halves:
Crouch Vale BREWERS GOLD, 4%: Usual exquisitely hoppy self - subtle fruitiness indicative of its best form.
Mersea Island YO BOY, 3.8%: Citric, less appealing than its predecessor and holding a rather noticeable chalkiness.
Crouch Vale CROUCH BEST, 4%: Clean, rounded, best bitter.
Mauldons MICAWBERS MILD, 3.5%: Absolutely divine smokiness and grassy hop aromas eminating - one of the best milds I have drunk in 2008.
Oakleaf POMPEY ROYAL, 4.5%: Superb! Again grassy hop flavours abounding and lasting to the last sip. A good premium ale for any occasion.
Crouch Vale ESSEX BOYS BITTER, 3.5%: A quenching, refreshing beverage to be consumed at the start of a session to be enjoyed at its best before the palate has been charged with hops from the other beers!
Crouch Vale AMARILLO, 5%: Huge flavour boost following Essex Boys Bitter. A delicious "grand finale" at the end of a wonderful session!
The young lady behind the bar was very friendly and chirpy with a great sense of humour, as had many of the others drinking round the bar.
Recommended!
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Crouch Vale Best, Brewers Gold, Essex Boys, Amarillo, also Otley OBB, Fox Bullet, Thwaites Lancaster Bomber, Mauldons Black Adder, prices �2.70-�2.90 according to abv, the EB (3.5%) was �2.25, tried most & all in great condition. Westons Bounds Brand scrumpy (4.8%) also on handpump, and it was amusing to witness a coupla lager boys stymied by the choice of either Kaltenberg Hell or Warsteiner, haha! Octagonal central bar, good upholstered banquette seating beneath part wood-panelled walls, solid wood stools & wood/copper tables with cast-iron bases. The bar area sports some photos of cricket greats, Bradman, Fry, Hobbs, WG, to the left of the bar a victorian style fireplace & to the right a large real fire open to both the bar & the dining/seating area beyond - more traditional furniture plus some open �booth� seating, further on to more tables & a small conservatory before exiting to a small paved suntrap beer garden with picnic sets & umbrellas. The dining area has some brewery mirrors & a superb old shot of what looks like the Queens Head chara, heavily loaded, about to depart on a jolly (the �big-boys outing� for those of you familiar with the excellent Early Doors series). The conservatory is decorated with painted prints of our main test-match cricket venues, the gents have Robinsons mirrors declaring Best Bitter & Best Mild � evidently predating their current production of Unicorn & Hatters. Sarnies/baguettes �2.50/�3.50, simple mains ~�5. Was pretty quiet around 13:00 but the service was quick & friendly, and it gives me great pleasure to advise that reports of a possible demise at this terrific pub are happily wide of the mark. Oh, & you can avoid the town ctr from the stn by going straight down Park Rd & across central park.
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Is this the perfect pub? The nearest you�re going to get to it in Chelmsford anyway. Delightful selection of real ales served in peak condition and at reasonable price. Interesting lager and draft cider selection (definitely no Carling or Strongbow in here!) No music/TV on and genuine, friendly conversation at the bar. The new landlord is a great character and makes every visit a pleasure, and boy does he knows how to serve a great pint. Staff always make you welcome and service is quick and efficient. Real fires, pub dog, newspapers provided. If you like a wide choice of delicious beverages, an open fire, a relaxing atmosphere and good company this is the place for you. If not, stick to the Fleece or Chicagos where you belong.
Previous poster should try again as the atmosphere was not at all as he described the last few times I have visited.
Jay28 - 23 Apr 2008 15:38 |
As mentioned in the post below, Slient did indeed move on during Feb 2008 and what a shame. It was gobsmaking to visit the pub a couple of times afterwards. Devoid of life, music on the television in the background, unfortunately the remaining staff were not the friendliest.
Please see for yourself how much a pub can change by loosing a good Landlord. Hopefully, and I do truely do hope so, the old place will get some of its "mojo" back in the summer with the new Landlord, otherwise it will be a very sad loss. Any visitors keep us posted.
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Fantastic 'Crouch Vale' brewery tap pub. 8 Hand Pumped ales available, mostly Crouch Vale but at least 3 genuine guests. 2 dark ales were available 'Titanic Mild' and 'RCH Old Slug Porter'. I was quite surprised Crouch Vales 'Essex Nights' was not also available.
It's quite a large pub with quite a number of seats and tables. There's a rear patio gardened area for smokers.
I hear the present landlord may be off soon to pastures new. I do hope nothing changes with this excellent pub as a result.
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The holy grail of yesterday�s Chelmsford crawl, and the Queen�s Head did not disappoint. Eight or so real ales to choose from but, since this is effectively the brewery tap for Crouch Vale, I couldn�t look beyond the excellent Brewers Gold. When I return to these parts there will be a few pubs dropping off the list to allow more drinking time here. Fantastic.
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I love this Pub.
Beer is exceptional (especially Brewers Gold)
Always a Porter or Stout and a Mild available.
Its got a real local feel about it but with a hint of the countryside. Strange thing to say for a back street boozer, but that's what its like.
The Bar Staff are always friendly and welcoming and sunday lunch times are a real treat, with a great atmosphere and warm feel about the place.
Its has its regulars but you are never made to feel like an outsider and most people are happy to chat with you, especially about the beer or football or Cricket or Rugby etc...
Sometime's has live (Jazz and Blues) music and always a eagerly awaited annual Beer Festival, plus regular BBQ's and an Autralia Day celebration day.
Kids are welcome (which is a real plus for me) and foods served is very good especially for the price.
If you are ever in Chelmsford, you must try and check it out, you won't be dissapointed.
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Smashing pub; excellent beer, great value food and matchless staff. Worth travelling a long way to visit - we did.
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wonderful selection of ales, 'Brewers Gold' just makes you want a bottomless glass...a pub with some old English charm left despite a refurbishment a few years back, a regulars pub and a nice place to sit and have a quiet drink on your own if you need to, the bar staff are pleasant if a little offish.
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what a great pub ,a landlord, "silent mike" (he never stops talking to everybody), who knows his beers and all the other staff who are the most friendly people i have ever been served by. not only does Mike know about beer he will also greet and linger awhile with his customers and recommend any new ale that has just been put on. the brewers gold is tip top and there is always at least 6 guest ales on pump one of which is usually a dark beer, i was recommended "bear island" from Newby Wyke brewery Lincolnshire and it was well worth a pint or two!! this is next to Essex cricket ground so good for cricket fans who want a pint before and after a match. we travel a long way to get to this pub but keep returning so what does that tell you?
anonymous - 30 Jul 2006 10:20 |
Another great beer drinking session before and after the TWENTY20 cricket match.The Bishops Farewell and Brewers Gold were in great form as was Silent Mike.Best beer you will get in Chelmsford.It just gets better.
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Another 'quality control check' completed. Still 10/10!
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As many have said, this is without doubt the best pub I have have had the pleasure to call a local. I used to live the other end of Lower Anchor Street and found myself becoming rotund by the day. Having returned from travelling, I now live one and a half mile away but still make the pilgrimage with the ever suffering Mrs Pumper on a Sunday, with a early start on the last Sunday of the month to take delight in Belle View.
Beer is great as a standard. The shame of it is becoming so picky where visiting any other boozer.
Even Mrs Pumper appreciates being able to have our Sunday chat without Girls Aloud or Andy Gray deafening all and sundry, albeit costing me money with booking holidays, buying new sofas or inviting relatives, a price worth paying when you got eight pints of Wickwar in ya.
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Would agree with all the latest comments. This is a great pub and without doubt the best in Chelmsford. The staff and landlord (Silent Mike) are very very friendly and Mike always keeps his great selection of beers in tip-top condition.Always a great choice of beers on and always a dark one on to cater for all tastes. Also serves lunches Mon-Sat. Just a ten minute walk through the park from the railway station. Do not miss this one.
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this is a great pub, a great great pub!!!!great beer- great food- great suroundings- great locals- great staff -great landlord 10/10
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Cracking little pub, excellent range of beers all year, sadly no longer one of my locals, will definitely make the pilgrimage back at least once a year!
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This must surley be the best best pub in the UK with a seller designed for great ales of which tere is always great choice and staff who are friendly and a pleasure to be served by and always someone of great interest to talk to this must be pub of the year
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The best pub in Chelmsford.
Good beer, and also you'll have to get used to actually talking to people as there's no duke box to fill in those awkward silences, no TV to boggle at whilst someone is trying to talk to you or vica versa.
I liked it so much I made sure I bought my house in the area, just to make sure this is my local!
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The best pub in Chelmsford. Always a choice of at least 10 real ales. Splendid.
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How this pub isn't scoring 10 out of 10 still continues to amaze me. ahscum hit the nail right on the head "the best Real Ale Pub in Chelmsford".
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As i sit in this Pub, supping a Pint of Fox's Old Felcher, contemplating my beer belly covered by a nice handknitted sweater and picking the crisp crumbs from my beard, I can honestly say that this is the best Real Ale Pub in Chelmsford stocking in the region of ten constantly changing beers, many of which are not easily found in the Essex area. A classic.
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Mine too. Come on you lot get voting for the Branch Pub of the Year.
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Got my vote for "Pub of the Year" :-)
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Still a great pub and definitely worth the short walk away from the centre to get to it (especially as this is too difficult for the lazy kids).
Darren in the City - 17 Nov 2004 11:20 |
Always eight real ales on... 2 Crouch Vale regulars Gold and Best plus six regularly changing others including milds and porters. Most definitely an excellent pub.
bp - 9 Sep 2004 16:40 |
Don't forget the annual pork scratchings contest. Massive range of free scratchings of all 3 types are supplied at this unique event. All you have to do is eat them and then judge for taste, appearance, texture, etc. Local dentists can be found on yell.com!
LTHippy - 6 Jul 2004 22:48 |
Couldn't agree more. An excellent Pub. Great and varied beer and well kept. Friendly bar staff, great food and the best stand up comedian in Essex (SilentMike the Guv'nor).
The QH is well worth a visit if you're looking for a proper pub without the usual plastic paraphenalia.
Cheers mike keep up the good work.
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God bless this pub!!
And shame on all you who gave it less than 10 out of 10.
An excellent pub just a mile away from a mainline station [so no excuse to drink and drive )-:].
6 real ales - 4 Crouch Vale plus 2 guest. And a real cider. AND a real, open fire in the heart of the pub. Great food too! No juke box nor game machines. Heavenly.
As Governor Arnie (allegedly) said, "I'll be back!"
Go!!
Darren - 22 Oct 2003 18:43 |
GOOD REAL ALE PUB, GREAT LANDLORD(SILENT MIKE!!), QUIZ NIGHTS TUESDAY, DARTS NIGHTS WEDNESDAYS, LIVE JAZZ LAST SUNDAY OF THE MONTH,ANNULY BEER FESTIVAL SEPT.
L POTTS - 10 Oct 2003 13:43 |
This is easily Chelmsford's best pub for good beer, if not one of the best in the county. A friendly welcome awaits all visitors be they locals or ale drinkers from far and wide. A warm, lively buzz is evident in all parts of the pub. A pleasant raised beer garden at the rear of the pub is great in the summer. This hostelry was briefly named "Partners" before reverting to the original name following a change of management in the late 1990s. A superb range of ales in excellent condition. Although officially a Crouch Vale house, you will see a constantly changing range of beers from regional and micro breweries, making the Queen's Head a must on any Chelmsford crawl. About 20 minutes walk from the railway station, and beware of the only downside: if you are coming from London, avoid Saturday as the last train back is at 2253. On all other days including Sunday, the last service is at 2322. Well worth a visit, I thoroughly enjoyed this place on 20/09/2003!
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