The Red Cow, Bishop's Stortford

Closed in Feb 2012 apparently due to the publicans illness. Although there is no comment about its future from the current owners Admiral taverns, it is still closed some two months later.

This cosy little Greeen King pub is situated just off the town centre a hundred yards or so away from the Cock. The interior is divided into 2 bars and despite a surplus of modern brickwork, still feels like a homely and civilised old fashioned local where I received a friendly welcome from the barman and some quite chatty locals. The central bar takes up quite a bit of floorspace leaving one side a little cramped but still managing to squeeze in a dart board. At the rear are what were two rooms that have been opened out into the main bar area, one of which is used as a pool area. The other side of the pub is more of a saloon bar, all quite neat and tidy if a little bland. There was football being screened on a couple of tiny TV’s that seemed quite inadequate given the modern era of large flat screens. Despite being a Greene King pub, they did offer a guest ale (Buntingford Twitchell) to supplement the more mundane Abbott and IPA. Quality was fine and prices a little cheaper than some of the pubs in town. The pub is on the way from the town to the football ground and I wouldn’t have any problems calling in again before/after a match for a quick pint or two in the future.

A delightful welcome awaits at the Red Cow from landlord and locals alike and it's difficult to avoid being drawn into conversation in this highly civilised boozer. A rarity in the crowded and busy south east. The beer doesn't quite match the atmosphere sadly with Greene King IPA, Abbott and an indifferent Buntingford's Twitchell on offer. A decent pint of Summer Lightning, Bishops Farewell, Tiger, anything really and I'd never have left.