The Moletrap, Tawney Common

This pub is a stand out favourite. It has a wonderful landlord and landlady (Dave and Jean) who really look after their beers. There's usually three guest ales on, with Fuller's London Pride as a permanent fourth. Should a beer not taste quite right, they won't hesitate to allow you to select another (this is a rare occurrence).

The food is home made and exceptionally well cooked. It is always cooked to perfection. Yes, perhaps the Ham, Egg and Chips is expensive, but you get a large portion of ham which is locally produced. The other meals are also excellent (may I recommend the lasagne - or during the Christmas period, the turkey). I am told that the Cod and chips is the best for miles (not a fish person myself).

This pub has remained my favourite choice for a beer or meal for the last 5 years, and it hasn't changed a bit in that time (though it has had a paint and new patio - both were needed - and it now looks much nicer on the outside).

Gets busy on warm days (and the poor waitresses are run off their feet) so you *might* not get a hello/how's your meal etc during busy periods, but if you are around during less busy periods the staff will always be up for a chat.

Can't recommend highly enough.

11 Jun 2012 18:28

The Garnon Bushes, Coopersale

A nice, welcoming pub with a friendly landlord (or at least I presume he is the landlord). We've been frequenting this pub on a Sunday evening on and off for the last couple of months and they've always been hospitable and shown an interest in us.

Beers: seems to always be Green King IPA, Sharp's Doom Bar and Adnams' Broadside. Covers all bases. Doom Bar is especially tasty. Beers are well looked after and always taste like they should. Average price (�3.30 a pint).

Food has yet to be tried, but looks reasonable (though probably not made on the premises).

Has big screens, so if you don't enjoy your sport you may want to avoid on sports nights. They're not on all the time.

Would recommend!

(June 2012)

11 Jun 2012 18:18

Good Intent, Upshire

This was the first pub where I have taken a single foot in the door and immediately turned around and gone elsewhere.

The place was deserted (and I mean there was quite literally 0 people). The inside was that of a strange seaside bed and breakfast from the 1970s. Enormous space, round tables laid out at even intervals that seat no more than 4, carpeted in that bizarre floral pattern of a 70s B&B/Hotel. As a free-house you would expect at a minimum perhaps two ales on tap. Nope. One, and it was McMullen's AK.

Dire.

Go slightly further down the road and you've got The Horseshoes. McMullens owned, but has three of them. Has atmosphere. Much better.

14 May 2012 19:00