The Golden Fleece, Chelmsford

A large town centre pub which is now open plan and with a slightly raised area to one side. The bar is central and the boarded room wraps around and returns to the rear. Leaded windows, some have corner sections with stars inlaid in a blue surround, some postcard style and balloon related wallpaper, some wood panelling plus a framed celebration of Marconi, the inventor of radio who apparently had links to Chelmsford. Lots of grey/green paint to the upper walls and also the ceiling which has a decorative cornice which really should have been left alone. There is a chandelier constructed of beer bottles. A raised side area is called "The Stage" and has a pair of electric guitars either side of a fireplace. They have occasional live music. Following the theme the gents toilets had a montage of classic album covers. The pub claims to date from 1650 but I'm not having that, possibly a pub on the site since then but nothing to suggest any part dates that far back. On to the beer, six on, Robinson's Trooper, Brain's Rev James, Brentwood Maple Mild, Dark Star Revelation, Hobgoblin and Broadside. A fairly typical town pub really, food served and to the rear is a garden with a wacky mural. A decent beer range so if I venture this way again I'd pop in.

Opened after a re-furb (including the toilets) in Jan 2015 and now offering an improved range of real ales. Upgraded rating of 6.

Official site of the Golden Fleece, contains menu, wine list and event details - www.thegoldenfleece-chelmsford.co.uk