The Victoria Inn, Colchester

The Victoria is a ten or so minute walk from Colchester North train station in the direction of the town centre. The pub has a fairly traditional feel to it, with three fairly distinct areas formed around a central servery. The front right area is set up as a lounge, with comfortable seating options, whitewashed walls and nice stained glass windows. To the left is a pleasant bar with bare brick walls, standard and low stool seating, dark wood beams and a nice brick fireplace. Both spaces are compact and cosy and connect to the rear area where the main public bar can be found. Seating here is limited to just a handful of bar stools and one or two high tables. There is an upright piano along the back wall, a juke box and a discretely hidden slot machine under a private staircase. All of the areas have brightly coloured carpeting and there are numerous pump clips on display throughout. Doors lead out to a rear courtyard with a decent amount of seating and I’m told that there is a barn outside with ‘conservatory style seating’, but I didn’t go outside to check this. The pub was named Colchester and North East Essex CAMRA Pub of the Year 2013, so I had high hopes for some good beer. The present owners took on this pub after moving down from Yorkshire, so it shouldn’t have been a surprise to see Yorkshire breweries well represented alongside local ales. The choice on my visit focussed around the Great Heck Brewery with their Yakima IPA, Dark Force Treason Stout and Nelson Sauvin available alongside Colchester Burton Pale Ale and house beer Farmer’s Puck’s Folly. Keg options included Brewdog Trashy Blonde Raspberry (I think I read that correctly) and Thatcher’s Gold and the fridges seemed to stock an interesting range of bottled beers. My Burton Pale Ale was pretty good and the barmaid was very friendly and welcoming. This is a fine addition to the Colchester ale scene and a nice break point if walking between the town centre and Colchester North. Coupled with the Bricklayers Arms it makes a fine double header in this part of town.

This pub now has 5 real ales on offer, featuring local and country wide brewers. Since reopening 2 years ago over 200 different ales have been featured!.... The Victoria also had a dedicated real cider bar with up to 6 real ciders and perries on offer. The outside coverd courtyard is the best in town and also features an open "barn" area which is stunning. Live music from local and national touring artists every Sunday from arround 5pm (acoustic/folk/blues).... Home of the Colchester Cheese club! No TVs..... No Pool Table... Just a friendly little place in which to socialise..... A proper Pub!