Axe & Compasses, Great Dunmow

This is an attractive part thatched pub with charm and character inside. It is a bit of shame it is on a straight section of road as the sound of the traffic passing at speed intrudes into the pub. Nethergate IPA and Suffolk County on hand pumps, with six barrels behind the bar served by gravity. Friendly service, a good food selection and a nice place to be in. We will visit again.

Attractive roadside pub, part thatched, that has been sympathetically restored after a major fire a few years back. Rural Essex, away from the Estuary has wonderful scenery: we sat by the window overlooking open countryside in the gathering dusk, with the church tower of High Easter illuminated by the setting sun. Inside there’s one long bar,mainly laid up for dining, but attracting plenty of drinkers as well. The bar staff were welcoming and jolly, and the food was good value, though we’d already eaten well that day. As I recall, I rather enjoyed a broadbean risotto.The pub has a decent selection of East Anglian beers-Nethergate Suffolk County Best Bitter, which I found too sweet, Nethergate IPA, which for a low ABV beer packed a decent body of hops, Oulton Ales Orange wheat Beer and Sharps ubiquitous Doom Bar. The latter two were not tried, even though they were on gravity dispense, along with various ciders and perries. Rather engagingly, the pub seems to hold a shrine to an obscure early breakfast cereal-‘Force’ and it’s somewhat bizarre advertising character, ‘Sunny Jim’. Not bad at all.

The Axe & Compasses official site, contains menu and wine list - www.theaxeandcompasses.co.uk

The Axe & Compasses official site, contains menu and wine list - www.theaxeandcompasses.co.uk