Not already a member?
Join our community and
- Rate & review pubs
- Upload pictures
- Add events
JOIN for free NOW
Chat about:
Random news of the day with Real Ale Ray
on the Pub Forum
Detail Pages
The Victoria Tavern, Loughton
Loughton
IG10 4BP
Pub Type
Punch TavernsReviews (Current Rating Average: 10 of 10) see review guidelines
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
aleand hearty left this review about The Victoria Tavern
Although just several hundred yards away from the bustle of Loughton high street, the Victoria feels remarkably like a village pub, no doubt helped by its proximity to Epping Forest and the high end cottages nearby. Externally, it’s a pretty plain affair, not helped by a rather ugly extension, but a superb display of hanging baskets turned it into a raft of colour, on our sunny, summer afternoon visit.
Internally, it’s a medium sized, split-level space, with a raised dining area to the left of the bar, housed in the extension. To the right, there’s lots of dark wooden panelling surrounding a fireplace, with various prints dotted about and a sizeable bottle collection on a high shelf. Tables are pleasingly large and slightly battered looking, but only add to the character of the place.
There are five hand pumps at the bar, with Greene King IPA, Adnams Bitter and Timothy Taylor Landlord featuring regularly, plus two guests. On this occasion they were Sharps Doombar and Growler Gladness. Opting for the latter, it was in decent condition, but unfortunately just a dull beer. Service from the young barmaid was pleasant enough, but she looked totally bewildered when faced with a simple enquiry about the Growler i.e. what colour was it. A little staff training wouldn’t go amiss, methinks.
A very lively atmosphere when we called, as you’d expect at the weekend during a heatwave. One of the real pluses of the Victoria is the large enclosed beer garden, which was packed to capacity. If overheard conversations were anything to go by, it would appear to be a favourite of the local chattering classes. Hardly surprising, given its setting.
Overall, I rather like the place and usually call when visiting Loughton once or twice a year. However, if this was my local I’d hope for something a little more exciting than the rather pedestrian beer choices available on this occasion.
On 15th July 2013
- no rating submitted
[User has posted 582 recommendations about 564 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Harry Potts left this review about The Victoria Tavern
This really is the hidden gem in Loughton. This is a real pub as it should be. Beer is excellent had Speckled Hen, best pint I had in a long time, food is also first class. Lovely clean pub, staff helpful, nice outside garden, good car park. Well worth a visit.
On 1st December 2006
- rating: 10
[User has posted 6 recommendations about 6 pubs]