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The Angel & Harp, Great Dunmow
Churchend
Postal town: Great Dunmow
CM6 2AD
Reviews (Current Rating Average: 5 of 10) see review guidelines
Strongers . left this review about The Angel & Harp
The Angel & Harp is an L-shaped gastro pub with a tile floored bar at one end where a wooden topped exposed brick serving counter on the far wall faces lounge seating where a few people were mainly drinking hot drinks. Limited premium keg was available, with Murphys being the stout of choice, and two of the three hand pumps were in use drawing Adnams’ Ghost Ship and Bishop Nick’s Heresy. There’s also a cocktail menu that includes a long list of alcohol-free options. The rear of the pub that runs to the left is used as a dining area with tables and chairs up the side walls to the rear doors that open into an Astroturf floored marquee that has white painted iron tables and chairs and plastic flowers and cherry blossom trees. It feels a bit like a wedding / events venue; in fact, there was a large birthday party in progress during my recent Saturday afternoon visit. To the left of the marquee are some picnic tables and a BBQ was set up for the party guests in the corner. The staff were all polite and friendly, but this isn’t somewhere I’d seek out again just for a pint.
On 11th September 2026
- rating: 5
[User has posted 6826 recommendations about 6787 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Blue Scrumpy left this review about The Angel & Harp
Situated at the northern end of Great Dunmow, this is more of a dining/events space than a pub.
The car park was packed, which seemed at odds with other Essex pubs I'd visited. With no obvious entrance to the pub, I walked around to the front, only to find that the door is reserved for staff to use! Instead a notice directed me back to the rear where I passed through an outdoor patio area into the bar area.
Inside, there is a large space, with the vast majority taken up by diners or at least tables set out for dining. Space available for drinkers is extremely limited, with one or two tables and benches set around some chunky pillars. Sitting there did feel like you were in the way of the various waiters and waitresses delivering food and drinks to tables. Elsewhere, the pub extended into a function room and there was a marquee in the garden. Events and functions are clearly a big part of their business model.
Frustratingly, I arrived at the bar a split second after a guy placing a large order. After he had finished ordering and paying, the bar manager asked if I was next or the 2 guys sat at the end of the bar with empty glasses. I wasn't quite quick enough to intervene and proceeded to wait what seemed like an eternity for service, as the bar manager decided to disappear elsewhere instead of serve me, despite knowing I was waiting. All of this time, numerous barmen, barmaids, waiters and waitresses came and went whilst making drinks and sending them to tables. What is it with customer service in Essex? Everywhere I went was either outright poor or excellent. There was very little in between.
3 real ales were on - Adnams Ghost Ship, Bishop Nick Heresy & Wibbler's Dengie IPA. My IPA was good, but I just couldn't settle in this pub. It's obviously aimed more towards families, diners, upmarket drinking and events. I don't think I'm part of its target clientele.
On 24th March 2023
- rating: 5
[User has posted 3596 recommendations about 3594 pubs]