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The Paper Mill, Apsley, Hemel Hempstead
Hemel Hempstead
HP3 9RH
Pub Type
Fuller'sReviews (Current Rating Average: 7½ of 10) see review guidelines
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Steve of N21 left this review about The Paper Mill
Although this new build Fullers pub in the former Dickinsons Paper Works has been around for over ten years now it still provides a shiny modern pub experience opposite the equally modern Apsley Marina development. The large two tier interior space has been well described by previous reviewers, but on one of the hottest Sundays of the summer so far it was the large exterior space next to the Grand Union canal that was attracting most of the punters, so much so that there wasn’t a seat to be had and we had to sit inside.
Four Fullers stable ales were on both sets of hand pumps in the shape of Pride, ESB, Olivers Island and a very quaffable Gales Beachcomber, and then other Fullers offerings were on the Keg taps alongside other usual suspects including one from Camden and Meantime. We didn’t eat but a lot of people were going for what looked like the standard Fullers food menu and the kitchen viewable through the far wall was doing a fair trade. With reference to the previous review the only niggle we found was when we thought we would try to get a seat on the upstairs outside balcony area only to find the area closed off with notices that it is currently deemed to be unsafe. But whether this referred to it being in imminent danger of collapse or because some pissed dickhead had recently fallen off it was unclear.
All in all I enjoyed our visit here and would have no problem recommending this for a stop off when walking this section of the Grand Union canal.
On 8th August 2018
- rating: 7
[User has posted 2111 recommendations about 1992 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
E TA left this review about The Paper Mill
A large Fullers pub in a converted industrial building, previously part of the Dickenson's paper mill which once occupied the site, with a pleasant canal-side location, still a small industrial site. There is plenty of parking and lots of outside seating by the water. The downstairs is open plan and is crammed full of tables of different shapes and sizes to accommodate diners. Upstairs is a smaller restaurant area reached via a feature staircase. The staff were young and lively, though one was particularly thick and annoying, and I did object to being asked for a tip before my meal had been been served. It was also annoying to get chips in a small metal bucket. Food was well cooked, though the ingredients were not the best quality. Four ales on, three from Fullers and a guest, Milltown's High Flyer. I had the guest, which was in excellent condition. Overall it was a good experience, but there are some niggles that need to be ironed out.
On 1st September 2016
- rating: 7
[User has posted 3285 recommendations about 3250 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Clive Thompson left this review about The Papermill
Even by Fullers' standards this is expensive. Just paid £3.85 for a 4.5% Wild River. I guess the captive clientele allows this. Good service though.
On 26th August 2012
- no rating submitted
[User has posted 777 recommendations about 697 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Clive Thompson left this review about The Papermill
A modern pub that looks to have been purpose built. Attractive interior with open fires and high ceilings. Quite food orientated with clientele mainly from the identikit flats that surround Apsley Marina. Good range of Fullers beers but as ever they come at a price. It vwas a snowy day when I visited but I imagine it's very popular on a Summer's day.
On 15th April 2012
- rating: 7
[User has posted 777 recommendations about 697 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Thuck Phat left this review about The Papermill
The Papermill is something of a modern Fullers drinking barn but is done out very nicely with lots of wooden beams, mixed wood furniture and various historical pictures and maps of the local area. It is well located by the Grand Union canal which it overlooks. This and the flickering of two real fires, saves the place from the sort of sterile atmosphere found in many 'spoons and it actually feels like a warm, pleasant and even cosy place to be. This is helped by a friendly welcome from the staff.
Food looked good but we didn't eat. Beer was from the Fullers range with Gales Seafarer, Fullers Pride, ESB and Bengal Lancer on. The latter was excellent and in very good nick.
I will certainly return when in the area.
On 24th October 2011
- rating: 8
[User has posted 679 recommendations about 678 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Bucking Fastard left this review about The Papermill
A modern canalside building in the Apsley Marina development,I liked what Fullers have created here.As you might expect there are plenty of sofas and more regular tables and chairs but the open plan interior boasts two real fires,a corner fireplace and a raised open fire in the middle of one side .There are large picture windows giving good views of boating traffic,but the modern look of the interior is maintained by large ceiling mounted ventilation ducts and a modern open kitchen with several chefs hard at work .On the first floor there is a seperate restaurant ,again with fine views over the canal if you are seated by a window.There is also an exterior terrace running around the first floor and there are more seats with umberellas outside the ground floor.
Most customers come to eat,and the food looked good but we were there for the beer and didn't feel uncomfortable on the ground floor.Four handpumps dispence a range from Fullers ,and my Bengal Lancer IPA was very well kept,if a little pricey at £3.65.
The gents is upstairs and I liked the wash basins displaying the Thomas Crapper insignia.
Despite the modern exterior ,on balance this would be my choice for drinking in Apsley and I will certainly return on my travels.
On 23rd October 2011
- rating: 7
[User has posted 2727 recommendations about 2727 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
GEOFFREY NEWMAN left this review about The Papermill
My wife and myself visited the U.K. from our home in Canada last year and we "eat out" at as many different pubs as we could during our stay. I love my steak and here in North America we enjoy a huge selection of pubs and restaurants with a very high standard of catering (although since the smoking ban the number of pubs has gone down dramatically) We found the Papermill on our last day, unfortunately, and I had the best steak of the holiday. I wish we had found this little gem earlier as we would have used it far more. The staff were friendly and cheerfull and made you feel at home. My only complaint would be that the steak was a tad small but the manager has told me they are introducing larger steak's. We will most certainly return.
On 16th May 2009
- no rating submitted
[User has posted 2 recommendations about 2 pubs]