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Beer of the Week (w/e 27th April 2025) with Thuck Phat
on the Pub Forum
Detail Pages
The Original Plough, Chelmsford
Chelmsford
CM1 1HY
Pub Type
Oak Tree (Mitchells & Butlers)Reviews (Current Rating Average: 6 of 10) see review guidelines
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Blue Scrumpy left this review about The Plough
The Plough is another pub that is handy for Chelmsford station. Although unlike others around, it does not currently open until midday.
The Covid entrance is to the rear, where there is also an outdoor drinking area. We chose to drink indoors, where it was quite busy on our Friday lunchtime visit.
The main bar has a bright and airy feel. We spotted at least one smaller side room. Toilets are upstairs.
The disappointment here for me was the real ale choice. London Pride, Doom Bar & Tribute are the regular ales. The guest beer was Bombardier. None of them particularly inspired me.
On 13th October 2020
- rating: 5
[User has posted 3040 recommendations about 3038 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Malden man left this review about The Plough
A nice looking building with a tile hung mansard roof, inside however is not quite as characterful as it could be, having been madeover to some degree. There are three separate areas, linked together inside, and a nice sunny rear garden. The main larger area with the bar has a flagged floor of some age, other areas are boarded. Décor has a few framed bits and bobs, there are a few fireplaces, one with a wood burner, not needed on a warm day. Lots of chalkboards offer this and that deals, the beers were arranged on two banks of eight handpumps which got us a bit giddy initially until we found that they were not only doubled up but offered a dull selection of mostly regional nationals. Old Speckled Hen, Bombardier, Doom Bar, GK IPA, Adnam's Bitter, Draught Bass, Cameron's 150. One reversed, couldn't see it but likely to be Pride I'd wager. I went naturally for the Cameron's 150, it wasn't good, sweet and cloying.
As a building not too bad but they have sold out a bit and it really could be so much better. Hugely better pubs very close by.
On 26th April 2015
- rating: 5
[User has posted 1710 recommendations about 1683 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Aqualung . left this review about The Plough
This was an Ind Coope house years ago but is now part of the Mitchell & Butler "Oak Tree" chain whatever that is. Inside it has wooden floorboards and is one single room with a central bar. The wooden tables all had menus on with food prices that looked good value.
The bar had two banks of eight hand pumps which seemed great until it became apparent that the beers were all doubled up. Things got worse when it was apparent that all of the beers were from mainstream regional brewers. They were Black Sheep Bitter, Wadworth's 6X, Pedigree, Thwaite's Nutty Black, Doom Bore, Greene King IPA, Adnam's Bitter and London Pride. I thought I would rub salt in the wound by going for my personal Bete Noire Sharp's Doom Bore. It was everything I expected it to be, sweet, brown and boring although it was in good condition and was relatively cheap (£2.60). Although it was cheap the local Spoons are cheaper and I had a local brew in one that was vastly superior to any of the beers here. There are plenty of pubs in Chelmsford with a more interesting beer selection. I certainly wouldn't bother to return.
I was short changed by 10p which loses it another rating point.
On 18th January 2015
- rating: 3
[User has posted 2143 recommendations about 2143 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Real Ale Ray left this review about The Plough
A gem of a pub next door to the station. Good service even when busy, and a great choice of ales. I went for the Thornbridge Frank As Appollo and Kirkstall Pale Ale.
On 17th June 2012
- rating: 8
[User has posted 3644 recommendations about 3644 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Gill Smith left this review about The Plough
Arrived in Chelmsford 23.12.10 to stay a night, and this was the first of 6 2011 Good Beer Guide pubs we visited. Large roomy Nicholson pub with a choice of ales available. Chose Wolf Coyote and Thornbridge Wild Holly. There are 3 areas in the room, and TV's for sport. Large outside patio area.
On 2nd January 2011
- rating: 8
[User has posted 1339 recommendations about 1222 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
elizabeth mcgraw left this review about The Original Plough
This is now called THE PLOUGH, with a change of ownership to a Nicholson's Pub,so should get a good selection of Ales and food
On 18th November 2010
- no rating submitted
[User has posted 252 recommendations about 249 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
john mcgraw left this review about The Original Plough
nice pub next to chelmsford station can be noisy when people are watching footy on the big screen but you can always sit in the garden if you want peace and quiet!,they stage live rock shows and the real ales usually on are Landlord and GK IPA plus a couple of guest ales
On 14th January 2007
- rating: 8
[User has posted 2044 recommendations about 2025 pubs]