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Image posted by john mcgraw
Submitted on Thursday, 24th November 2011
With picture contributions to 21062 other pubs
View all this pub's pictures (22 more images)
Requested be closed with reason - For sale: for £325,000
Detail Pages
Wagon & Horses, Braintree
Braintree
CM7 3QD
Served areas
Reviews of Wagon & Horses (Average Rating: 7½ of 10) see review guidelines
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Malden man left this review about Wagon & Horses
A large pub with a number of connecting areas, probably the nearest pub to the railway station as far as we could see. The main bar has a boarded floor, low slatted ceiling, a pool table towards the front and generally regular seating. Around the side a few areas link together, carpeted around here and an unusual feature is an old well set under the floor with a glass cover over. A framed case on a wall nearby has a few "finds" from the well when it was discovered and excavated. This side area has more of the infernal high tables and uncomfortable stools that prevail these days.
Part leaded Georgian style windows, décor includes old maps, some sporting team prints from a bygone age and a couple of areas of bookcase style wallpaper.
As for the beer, I was looking forward to this pub due to previous reviews and also the proclamation on the exterior gable wall about the various guest real ales on offer. What an utter disappointment then to find across a range of pumps just two beers, Old Golden Hen and a GK rebadge called Wagon Wheel. GK IPA was reversed, all the other pumps were without clips. Whether we were unlucky I do not know but to find such a meagre offering, especially on a Saturday evening makes me think otherwise. We only had time for one after the football before the train home, should've gone to Wetherspoons.
On 26th April 2015
- rating: 4
[User has posted 1708 recommendations about 1681 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Will Larter left this review about Wagon & Horses
Although the signage suggests another Greene King house, the inside shows evidence of a certain amount of independence bordering on freedom. Although three of the eight hand pumps have GK beers, the others feature beers from Titanic, Elgoods and three from Mighty Oak: Oscar Wilde, Addled Adder and Tomfoolery. I had a half each of the Tomfoolery and the mild, both of which were in excellent condition, though quite a bit pricier than other pubs in Braintree.
The pub's mission statement is to be seen in a handwritten poster to the left of the bar: this amounts to "no rowdies". Further writing on the gable end declares that this is a "Proper Pub", and the poster inside expands on this by explaining that there are other places in town for groups of "lads" to have a night out, their business is not wanted here. This, presumably, is what the higher prices are for: to enable the landlord to make a living without having to sell pints of Carling and bottles of Bud to already drunk young men. With Wetherspoons just around the corner, I can sympathise with the aim of providing a proper pub alternative.
This is a complex building, with rooms dotted about, around corners and up and down steps. There's a well - apparently dug by hand - covered with a viewing platform, on the way to the toilets. The decor is pleasant, with lots of wood, and plenty of old photos; a pity about the (oh so fashionable) drab paint of various hues.
This is a must visit if you're in Braintree: for the beer, the welcome and the genuine ambience of a proper pub. For train buffs, the single track from Witham carries a shuttle service and the station is only five minutes' walk away.
On 9th April 2012
- rating: 8
[User has posted 3745 recommendations about 3482 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Real Ale Ray left this review about Wagon & Horses
As you can see I have given this pub top marks as it duly deserves it. You get a great welcome from Ste and wife Christine and their son and daughter. They have completely refurbished the pub and both the interior and exterior is fabulous.Well worth the visit alone, they are very passionate about their cask ales and locally sourced produce. On handpump 8 real ales two of which local,I enjoyed the Mighty oak Sand June, Mighty Oak Oscar Wilde, Hopmonster Freak Show and Red Fox Hunters Gold. Defo Will Return
On 30th July 2011
- rating: 10
[User has posted 3382 recommendations about 3381 pubs]
No known official website for this pub.
- Facebook - The Wagon and Horses
- CAMRA WhatPub :: Wagon & Horses - whatpub.com
Pub Details
Pub details supplied by members of this site to the best of their knowledge. Please check with pub directly before making a special trip.
- Karaoke : Yes last updated 13 November 2009 by Dave McNally
- Real Ale : Yes last updated 29 July 2013 by Dave McNally
