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Halifax Crawl - 21 June 2024 with sheffield hatter
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Detail Pages
The Owl, High Beech, Loughton
Loughton
IG10 4AL
Reviews (Current Rating Average: 6 of 10) see review guidelines
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Philip Gaskin left this review about The Owl
You can tell by looking at this large pub that it was built in the 1960's with the resultant lack of any architectural appeal. It is well maintained and clean inside. The usual McMullens ales are available. The Water Otter feature still exists. The Bear Inn, Noak Hill Road, Romford, had something similar years ago.
On 9th March 2011
- rating: 6
[User has posted 202 recommendations about 169 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Steve of N21 left this review about The Owl
The Owl is a large sprawling McMullens pub high on a hill in the middle of High Beech with a large garden which provides fantastic views over Epping Forest. There has been an Inn on this location for a few centuries but this incarnation was built in the 1960’s when the existing building was condemned and demolished. Internally it is mainly set up for dining, but does have a separate bar area with a more traditional feel of dark wood and leather chairs. It’s targeted at diners and families and can get very busy in the summer months, especially when there is a bouncy castle in the garden, and at these times the food can be a bit hit or miss.
The beers are the usual McMullens cask ales and are generally OK, but nothing exceptional.
So to conclude, a decent enough McMullens food orientated chain pub, where the biggest attraction is the wonderful views from the beer garden.
There are still signs referring to a ‘Water Otter’ in the garden. This was reference to a long standing joke where there was a large water butt with a 'Don't tease the water otter' sign above. When you pulled the chain you found a kettle on the end. It amused the kids…
On 20th April 2010
- rating: 6
[User has posted 2111 recommendations about 1992 pubs]