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Detail Pages
The Three Horseshoes, Hemel Hempstead
Bourne End
Postal town: Hemel Hempstead
HP1 2RZ
Reviews (Current Rating Average: 6½ of 10) see review guidelines
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Bucking Fastard left this review about The Three Horseshoes
This is a fine looking old building in an exceptional location right next to the Grand Union Canal and swing bridge carrying a small lane.However it's a Charles Wells tied house,and their dead hand conspires to ruin an otherwise great pub.There are two distinct rooms to the interior .The Canal Bar and Restaurant is to the left ,opens into a low ceiling room with an inglenook containing a wood burner and stone flooring while up a few steps is a carved wood small bar and a square restaurant area with wood panelling and french windows which give access to a canalside patio,a great location in good weather and giving close up views of boating activity.The Old Stable Bar to the right is very atmospheric with another wood burner,a mix of rustic furniture and some occasional chairs with a cosy banquette at the rear tucked away.There is a seperate servery in here but this section seemed more pub orientated and less food focussed.
Sadly the three handpumps were drawing the usual CW crap,Directors (clear but a hop lite malty mess) Eagle IPA and Bombadier.The food is firmly pub grub although there are daily specials,with food service offerings and both my ham and chips were processed ,mass produced fare.Mindless muzak was playing throughout the interior,although thankfully there are no flatscreen,gaming machines or other modern distractions.
This could be one of the great canalside pubs if only Charles Wells could brew drinkable beer ,and were to remove the chain vibe which infects the operation here.What a shame,it could be so much better in different hands.
On 27th October 2016
- rating: 6
[User has posted 2737 recommendations about 2737 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Steve of N21 left this review about The Three Horseshoes
Another good looking canal side pub which, although with a focus towards food, is still a great stop for a pint, especially if you can get one of the outside tables by the canal on a fine day.
Nice period interior well described below and would agree the stable bar at the back is a good spot if you can get a seat.
It’s a Charles Wells house and there was a bit better choice for my visit with the three previously described as regulars (CW Eagle and Bombardier and Courage Directors) complemented by a CW seasonal in the form of Dogfish DNA IPA. However I almost missed this as there are three pumps on each bar section and the seasonal was on in the other bar, but fortunately advertised on a small chalk board.
So solid enough period pub, which benefits from an excellent waterside location.
On 15th May 2014
- rating: 7
[User has posted 2129 recommendations about 2004 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Clive Thompson left this review about The Three Horseshoes
Nice old pub with interesting nooks, crannies, and snugs to explore.The stable bar at the back was a haven of calm when I visited on a Saturday afternoon. Beers as previously reported and in decent condition. No vehicular access from London Road due to the work going on with the bridge but you are OK on foot. There's a handy bus stop at the top of the lane where the 500 bus will take you into the centre of Hemel Hempstead.
On 15th April 2012
- rating: 7
[User has posted 777 recommendations about 697 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Malden man left this review about The Three Horseshoes
The pub is well situated right on the canal along a narrow lane from the main road. The swing bridge across the Grand Union is currently being extensively renovated and there is a temporary scaffold footbridge across the water which unfortunately slightly spoils the setting for now, but it is still definitely in the "chocolate box" category. The pub claims to date from 1535, and I suppose parts of it may well do. The Stable Bar which is accessed via the main door off the lane looks to be the oldest bit, the ceiling is very low, there are gnarled beams and columns and two large inglenook fireplaces, one each end which were burning logs at the time of my visit giving that attractive woodsmoke welcome. The beams are marked with various inscriptions and quotations, many enthusing about the qualities and benefits of good ale. The floor is terracotta tiled, seating is traditional with a couple of pew benches added in. Beyond is a snug like area accessed through an iron gate, there are padded benches in here, the walls are exposed brick and decorated with hanging plates.
To the other side and running alongside the canal, is the Canal Bar and Restaurant. The small cosy bar area also has a log fire, the room then steps up to the restaurant which is brighter and more modern in feel, having aspect to the canal through a pair of french doors and some swirly patterned flowery wallpaper to a now disused chimney breast. Outside is a large decked area which runs right to the water's edge with extensive seating. I imagine this area gets rammed in summer.
Three beers which I understand are regulars, Courage Directors, Bombardier and Charles Wells IPA (£3.25). The pub is understandably a bit foody given the location and plenty of people were eating in the restaurant and canal bar. The food looked decent quality and was well presented. Looking at a menu, mains were around £9-£15, burgers around £12 and paninis £6.95. There was also a specials board. Monthly comedy nights (first Monday) and a Tuesday quiz were advertised.
This is a really nice pub, cosy and with good beer even if the choice is not too adventurous, but I reckon I visited at a good time, a Friday lunchtime on an average day weatherwise, on a summer Sunday or Bank Holiday I reckon the place will be teeming.
On 4th March 2012
- rating: 7
[User has posted 1708 recommendations about 1681 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Phantom Pigeon left this review about The Three Horseshoes
Absolutely superb setting beside the Grand Union Canal. Must be really great on a warm summers' evening.
Three beers on, Charles Wells Bombardier and Eagle, and Courage Directors. Not too exciting, but the Directors was well kept. Can't vouch for the other two. The food was good, if a little on the pricey side and a little limited for a lunchtime. However, wouldn't rule out calling in again.
On 21st June 2011
- rating: 5
[User has posted 96 recommendations about 88 pubs]