If you're looking for a good pub, it doesn't get much better than this…read more Lovingly called simply "The Axe" by locals, this pub is in a different league to most other rural pubs. I'll explain why and try to be concise. The cuisine is exceptional. There's a good selection of quality drinks. The service is excellent. The atmosphere is always friendly and welcoming -- the sort of place where complete strangers tend to strike-up conversation. The location is perfect, overlooking the Village Green, with a big beer garden behind, and a vast playing field behind that. It's a lovely village, nestled in the gently-undulating farming landscape of rural north-east Herts -- no wonder Braughing was recently awarded the prestigious "Village of the Year" accolade. The pub's menu always includes the best of local produce, from locally-reared beef to local pork sausages, alongside popular country pub dishes. (Braughing village is famous for, among other things, the delicious local sausages, and this is a good place to sample them.) Did I mention the pies? A different pie every day it seems, and you won't find better pies than these. I don't make a statement like that lightly.

A great, but really quaint, old English pub in the middle of nowhere. Great service and extremely…read moregood food. Very nice in the summer as the gardens are vast and overlook the countryside. Lao, if you are in the area in November, they have a fantastic firework display (arrive early, it gets packed)

What an amazing traditional pub. Views to die for, massive garden space, ample parking and the…read moremost amazing pub brimming with character. The staff are always friendly, professional and helpful. The food is always amazing quality from rolls at lunch to the best chicken pie in the evening. We turned up without a booking just wanting a summer time drink but when we asked if we could possibly have a table they managed to fit us in. During lockdown we visited several times. Everything was really professional. We felt extremely safe but none of the enjoyable experience was compromised.

This is fast becoming a very good local pub,with friendly staff . I is on the village green, with…read moreparking at rear The management appear to be making great efforts to create a good atmosphere,with great food (at reasonable prices ) . I think they are doing a great job Steve B 18/10/2009

"the royal oak" a 5 min walk from ockendon station. my first impression on looking at this "ye…read moreolde" pub was well presented and clean, upon going inside initially it was dark. a very clean refurbished pub with a marble bar and exceptionally clean and pleasant surroundings. the bar staff were very welcoming and greeted me with a smile, they were attentive and made me feel as though they had known me for years. the beer garden has a relaxed tone about it with parasols and seating for over 100, the grass and border flowers are immaculate, whilst i was there, there was a wedding party in the other side (the restaurant) the food i hear is superb and well worth a visit on a sunday.. my overall impression is this is a place you can bring your wife/ partner to and will both be impressed at the attention to detail and warm friendly atmosphere... terry h (an impressed member of the public) 08/october/2013

Went there yesterday 29/7/25 the building is lovely and the Peroni I ordered was very tasty, it's…read morein a lovely setting, red e food smelt lovely

What an amazing find!! Driving to Cambridge from London and we stumbled upon this gem on the way…read moreand really enjoyed the look and feel in this historic spot. The side part of the building was constructed in the 15 hundreds. Small doorways are a real treat. We started with the Honey-baked whole camembert which was a real treat. Had two ales which hit the spot and then debated for a while with the great menu options. We went with the pie of the day which was very flavorful. Joined with fresh veggies and chips. The mustard to go with the chips hit harder than a pimps slap. The chicken sandwich my friend got was good. Chicken very crispy and joined with chips. I went with Gammon steak with peas and chips and it was a good pick. Then to close it up we went with several pudding options and tea to cap off a great meal. Will be sure to stop in again and if you are nearby think you should be sure to check this spot out too.

Amazing food and service, always made to feel welcome great value for the quality and portions…read morehighly recommend the mixed roast! You won't be disappointed!

The Shepherd & Dog was just.a pub which was very popular but I never had the inclination to drink…read morethere. That was then but now it's been revamped into a restaurant that serves dishes that are of very high quality. Their Sunday roasts are good value with plenty if taste. The staff are friendly, polite and extremely efficient. Customers do like to dress up when they dine here and I don't blame them. As it does add to the ambience

Great gastro pub. Fab food, atmosphere and really friendly service. Strongly recommended.read more

The Bear has become a good quality gastro pub recently with a nice atmosphere and a good menu and…read moresome great specials. The ambiance is relaxed country pub and the staff are very helpful. There is a reasonable ca park as it gets quite hard to park in the summer. I have visited for lunch and dinner and both were very nicely presented and well cooked. The skate is very tasty and the scampi and Jenga chips are good. The costs can be a little bit higher for lunch but the menu is very similar and therefore for dinner, I thought it was quite reasonable. Peter who used to be at another Billericay restaurant is the restaurant manager and as normal makes sure we get well looked after.

Get out your satNav because this is a hard pub/restaurant to find. Find it and you will be 'blown…read moreaway'. In the middle of nowhere but the food is outstanding for a pub. Very small and really quaint with loads of real ales on pump. Nice seating area outside for the summer visitors with outstanding views of the Essex countryside. I love the place but you need to book by telephone if you are dining, or, get there early.

Firstly let me make it very clear that this is a pub I have frequented on numerous occasions over…read moremany years and have enjoyed excellent food and beer. I have recommended it to many people, it is a great shame I will never go back. I had booked a table for nine people to celebrate my birthday .I rung three times on morning of meal to extend to ten people to eventually be told, very aggressively, that they were closed due to a family bereavement. Ok, totally understandable but more than half an hours notice would have been useful. When I queried why we had not been telephoned I was told, again in a very aggressive manner, that they did not have my number and was I not listening, they would not serve us and he slammed the phone down. A week or so later I visited the pub, as I often have after playing golf' to be greeted by Mr. Kirtley appearing from the back of the pub in a totally aggressive, intimidating and frightening manner shouting and swearing at me to, "Get out of my pub or I will throw you out". He subsequently manhandled me to the door and threw me to the ground injuring my hands. I later suffered chest pains and was taken by ambulance to A&E, where I spent around five hours having tests. I know Mr Kirtley has lost his brother and for that he has my sincere condolences, we have all lost friends and relatives but don't react so violently. This sort of behaviour is not acceptable particularly to someone who has been a loyal and supportive customer over many years. Lastly, I still have no idea what upset him. Steer clear is my advice!!

*GUSHGUSHGUSHGUSHGUSH!!!*…read more I can't say enough wonderful things about this pub. This five stars is 90% based on the food. Best pub food ever! First of all, there are 5 or 6 veggie options on the menu, which is a rarity. Some of their options are a mushroom stroganoff, vegetables au gratin, ploughman's sandwich, and a mediterranean pasta. My husband had veggie lasagna which was served with chips and salad. I had vegetables au gratin - broccoli, carrots, aubergines (eggplant to my american friends), bell peppers and onions, drowning in a rich cheese sauce topped with breadcrumbs. Heaven in a bowl!! There was a lovely salad on the side along with a generous portion of coleslaw. There's a nice selection of homemade desserts as well, which seem to change every week. We sampled the almond cheesecake which was amazingly delish. Aside from excellent food, there is good selection of beers. The manager is a super friendly guy who remembers us every time and always stops to have a chat. There's a cool layout with the bar in the entrance and two rooms off to either side. There's plenty of room for groups, however it's still small enough to feel cozy. Lots of outdoor seating as well. The White Hart is now a weekly trip for us!

Quite lovely Sunday dinner. Food was plentiful and very good array of choices. We have done several…read morepub meals and this was one of the best . We both chose the chicken, spinach an mushroom pie from the specials board. There was also quite good new potatoes (nice alternative choice from chips, they also had mashed) and the vegetable side was a veritable garden. Green beans, broccoli, peas and carrots - all in a portion size that would have sufficed alone. The tomato basil soup starter was delicious. We were unfortunately too full to partake of any of the yummy sounding desserts. Service was friendly and location is quaint-true locals type of place we go out of our way to find.

The only pub in the village and a good one too. Plenty of local trade but welcoming to strangers…read more Has a very large car park and a huge beer garden with pond. At the rear of the pub is a games room, which also doubles as a dining area for the great food this pub serves. the barstaff are friendly and polite and take debit cards with cashback!! Sky Tv available for sports. Child friendly.All in all a great pub

Good bar for cask ales…read more Selection of cask ales is good and they have a good range of other beers on tap. Full bar otherwise.

Really nice pub, great selection of drinks, good food. Dog-friendly. Friendly staff!…read moreThe menu is very decent and there is an extra bar snacks menu as well.