BITE user comments - oxo
Comments by oxo
Graham, Bar Manager extraordinaire, may have gone to Patagonia to teach the locals Scottish but life goes on at the New Bell - surely the finest pub in the world - with the legendary owners, Richard and Sue even popping up behind the bar. Recipient of yet another Tendring CAMRA Pub of the Year certificate in 2011 the pub is the hub of all things Harwich. Don't miss the lunchtime soups and Mighty Oak Oscar Wilde - a regular ale in the back bar. Simply the best.
25 Oct 2011 16:58
.. and it's OPEN again!
It can't be very often that a rural pub in a village that has another open pub is given a new lease of life by enthusiastic new owners - but that's exactly what's happened here!
Inside and outside the pub looks fresh again after being closed for nearly two years. Great pub grub is back on the menu and two real ales are being served - a mixture of big brands and local microbreweries (including Harwich Town) all in tip-top condition.
Well worth seeking out!
25 Oct 2011 16:47
The Strangers Home Inn, Bradfield
There was a time when Bradfield boasted three pubs but the closure of the Village Maid means that the Strangers is the only one left. Fortunately it is going to strength-to-strength under new ownership and features superb pub grub, great beer and entertainment. The decent camp site out back provides a great stop for caravaners and campers on the pretty tourist route from Manningtree to Harwich. Sid the friendly manager attends to locals and vistors alike with great efficiency and three handpumps dispense Adnams and provide an outlet for excellent beers from the Harwich Town Brewery - Bathside Battery Bitter and Phoenix on today's visit. Well worth checking out if you're exploring the area or walking the Essex Way.
28 Apr 2010 21:11
Thought I better check back and a couple of recent visits confirmed that this rural pub is still on tip-top form. Food from the extensive menu and chalk-board specials really is superb and the beer is very well looked after by the enthusiastic landlord - there are even tasting notes on the handpumps! A large garden provides cool seating in summer and the cosy interior boasts an eclectic mix of memorabilia. Quite simply a must-visit rural gem!
15 Aug 2009 14:16
The Old Court House, Westfield
Very friendly village local with two bars as well as outdoor seating. The beer was excellent (Harvey's Sussex Best plus 2 others) and the food was superb and excellent value for money. The pub is both dog-friendly and children-friendly.
30 Aug 2008 00:14
In line with previous comments a recent visit confirmed that the Lobster is indeed suffering a period of malaise. The beer was okay but choice not as good as previous visits in high season. Service was efficient and quick (albeit on a fairly quiet lunchtime) but food was uninspiring and lacked attention to detail - so as to make it overpriced. Also the pub itself is looking tired and in need of TLC. Action is required to bring the pub back to its former glory.
24 Aug 2008 22:16
There seems to be some confusion here. The Cherry Tree, Tendring is NOT Tendring CAMRA's pub-of-the-year BUT Ye Olde Cherry Tree Little Oakley is!! There seems to be a clear case of Cherry Tree confusion here - all very explainable on a dark night in North East Essex where real ale is involved! The Cherry Tree in question here is also a very fine establishment and has been in the Good Beer Guide for a good number of years. Beers are Adnams Bitter and Broadside, Greene King IPA plus a constantly changing guest beer. The food is excellent and booking is recommended in the restaurant. There is a small outside drinking and eating area at the front of the pub and a larger one at the rear - perfect for a leisurely summer lunch.
23 Jul 2008 00:40
It's hard work running a village pub these days but Lee and Sonia aren't afraid of that! Think of everything you want in a local and the Village Maid has it - charming building, decent beer, great value, home-cooked food, conversation - the list goes on! Greene King IPA is the stock beer but a constantly changing guest adds great variety - including brews from the local Harwich Town Brewery. Food from an extensive menu is excellent and served all day. The 102 (Sunday), 103 and 104 bus services from Harwich to Colchester pass right by the door and the pub is a short detour from the A120.
24 Jun 2008 00:24
I think I first visited this pub in 1984 but I can't be sure. It has changed very little since and that is, in my opinion, a very powerful thing. In the intevening period Colchester has seen the onslaught of the chain-pub-circuit, binge-drinking culture that has overtaken so many British town centres but the Oddie remains a haven for those that like a quiet drink and a chat. Beer choice and quality are excellent and although the decor does polarise opinion it defines the place and what it stands for.
28 Oct 2006 02:11
Although steeped in history this pub is very much part of a working village. With a good-sized car park and spacious garden it caters well for the traveller and villager alike. Food is top-of-the-range pub grub at very reasonable prices and I've always found the beer in excellent condition.
28 Oct 2006 01:53
All the signs were here for this pub - an entry in the Good Beer Guide and a couple of favourable reviews posted on local web sites. It certainly didn't disappoint - a warm welcome, pleasant surroundings, superb beer and excellent food all made for an extremely enjoyable lunchtime visit. If you're out-and-about in rural Suffolk, near the Essex border, you'll be hard-pressed to find a better place for refuelling.
28 Oct 2006 01:37
Come and experience the charms of old Harwich at this absolutely fantastic local with an ever-changing selection of real ale and probably the world's finest collection of snowglobes. Look out for the Nethergate Priory Mild in the back bar and the lunchtime food.
18 Oct 2006 10:39
Found this gem using the CAMRA Good Beer Guide whilst on a family visit to Brighton. A proper, timeless English pub with friendly staff and clientele. An England match was being screened in the public bar but next door was buzzing with conversation. The Harveys Sussex Best was absolutely superb!
18 Oct 2006 10:29
The Village Maid, Bradfield
It's definitely still hard work running a village pub but although Bill and Sharon have moved on the Maid still offers an excellent atmosphere and great food and drink with Tony running the bar and Harry running the kitchen. Tony offers 2 real ales in excellent condition while, out back, Harry cooks up a great selection of hearty pub classics. Always worth a visit for a nice leisurely meal or some banter with the locals in the bar.
18 Dec 2013 22:41