Stone Inn, Southminster

This pub is a curate's egg. On our first visit early one afternoon, we expected a nice pub on the front overlooking the Blackwater. It does overlook the Blackwater, (although the breakwater blocks most of the view,) but the place is scruffy, with no real ales available. We went back there the following evening, (we did not plan to, but everywhere else in the area was closed,) and it was very friendly, with a good atmosphere, and we changed our view. The following evening we went back. There was a darts match on, still the same friendly atmosphere, and we were invited to help ourselves to the snacks laid on for the match. It is scruffy, and I am not sure I would want to order a meal, but it has no pretensions, it is what it is.