I really love this pub as it has a very quaint English feel. It has a very nice deck that has a…read moregreat view over the forest, which is ideal for summer days! However, we have been on Sundays for their food and were disappointed. We ordered a fish dish, which was overcooked. Therefore, I would recommend this place for drinks as it's one of the best places in Loughton for a pint, but would not recommend their food.

This is my local pub and I love it! The first time I moved here I was so happy to see that we have…read morea good family friendly pub. I go here almost all the time. And the food is delicious! The staff is very friendly and very attentive. You'll love to bring the kids and the dogs as well! You also have the most amazing view of Epping forest which makes it that much better.

This pub is a firm family favourite, a family happy place. Whether it is for a quick bite, family…read morecatch up or date night, the Plough provides a friendly, welcoming atmosphere, with a real fire and great service. Taylor, Zarah and Petra and are always welcoming and go over to make us feel welcome. Thank you. After the year we've had, it is great to have somewhere like this to hangout.

This place is a great country pub. It looks kind of like a beach pub from the outside ... You…read morecan't miss it driving past as its painted bright blue. This pub is great in summer as there is lots of benches and outdoor seating area, just try to get one that is on the flat area and not on the hill, it's a different experience eating on a slant =P I didn't order much food, just a bowl of olives and some fruit cider. My friend ordered a prawn cocktail, she said it was very nice. The menu is pretty extensive and there are a variety of dishes for vegetarians, the only down side for me was that their selection of salads didn't really exist (that made me sad). Great atmosphere though and very pretty inside, if you are looking for somewhere to hang out this is the place to come.

Beautiful old little pub with great view from the garden!…read moreGood selection of draft beers!

My closest pub in walking distance, part of the Ember Inns chain and as such has a fairly…read morecomprehensive food menu of mainly the usual pub fare but with some occasional seasonal novelties. Good lager selection and some pretty good guest ales. Some outdoors bench seating to the front (on the pavement) and the back (overlooking tree-lined car park). The period when food service seemed to be regularly bad (choices off the menu but not told when ordering) and slow (one hour) has I think passed. Not sure if the pub quiz is running, for many months they had a poster advertising it but it never took place.

Awful just awful This place is just terrible the food is…read morelike cardboard, the staff and service is one of the worse I have ever known. Don't go here unless your happy with sub standard food and service.

Super cute neighborhood pub. We went on a countryside walk earlier in the day and wanted to have…read moresomething to eat at the pub. Sadly, they had stopped serving food but still had beer which we gladly took! Service was friendly and the ambiance nice. Would definitely be back!

Pretty disappointed. Won't be going back. Food seems like it's been left out for a week and they…read moredon't seem to be able to organise themselves as you wait an eon to get served. Not quite a weatherspoons but not far off son2 stars only.

Now this place had been re vamped it's a pleasure to come & meet your pals & relax in style &…read morecomfort over a few Peronis. Eaten here a few times, bar snacks are ok but the Sunday roast was disappointing. Liquid it is then ! Bar staff & owners are great & make you feel very welcome. Gets absolutely mobbed at the weekend so they're definitely doin something right. Get your ass down here. Well recommend.

Brilliant pub, good drinks, stays open nice and late, friendly clientel, would recommend it highly.read more

Nice boozer. Decent ales, usual snacks, feels cosy.read more

Old fashioned pub with hundreds of horse brasses hanging from everywhere. Food was mediocre and pub…read morehad little atmosphere even though it was half full.Not bad but not good.

You will notice that there will be an increase in reviews from around Essex. With one of my besties…read moresetting up home in Epping, it is inevitable that I will spend half of my time in the area checking out bars and restaurants. My third venture into Epping brought us to this little pub, pretty much in the middle of nowhere. It was a Tuesday night and we had signed up for the quiz night. The plan was to have a bite to eat and then take the quiz prize for the Northerners (2 Geordies lasses and one Scouser/Mancunian). Theydon Oak, is a traditional pub with a nice selection of beers on tap, uneven floor surface, ceiling beams, antiques along the walls, all the things that add to a boozer with a rich history. On the quiz front, we came third (no not out of three teams' lol). But on the food front, it was a big win. I opted for the Fillet Steak, as I was intrigued to see if they could match the Londoners, and they did. Firstly, it was a proper portion, although 8oz, it felt bigger. Cooked perfectly to order (medium rare) and really tasty. I partnered this with Diane sauce (cream, sherry, mushrooms and onions) and fries. Helen had the pub menu staple item of a burger and Sam had chilli con carne served with basmati rice which was interesting choice. There could have been a little more sauce with the chilli, but it was tasty enough with the mixed peppers and kidney beans. These were washed down with Sauvignon Blanc, Rioja and Moretti beer. Service is informal and friendly. They are obviously used to regulars, but were very welcoming to us. We felt like we had known them and the other quizzers for ages, possibly because were a little bit jolly for a Tuesday eve. Pricing is reasonable with the Fillet steak being the most pricy thing at £19.95 and totally worth it. It's a shame this place is so far away from me, as I could see myself popping by for an after work drink or dinner on a lazy eve when I don't want to cook. I am definitely up for trying their Sunday roast at some stage, which is £18.95 for a four course set menu! To summarise, if you live in Essex or even Hertfordshire, you must go!

Okay, am I the only one who thinks it's weird that this pub in the middle of the forest is also a…read moreThai restaurant? That aside, it's still a decent pub with semi-interesting Asian decor, and a pretty chill vibe. If you're not driving up here, it's pretty difficult to get to as the roads are fairly narrow and there aren't really footpaths that lead up to it. And I wouldn't suggest traipsing through the forest as it's super easy to get lost in there. If you happen to make it up here, though, it's really the only rest stop you'll find up the hill, and the drinks aren't half bad. They have a full selection of booze- as any self-respecting pub should- including a hefty list of boozy coffees that are infused with different types of whiskey, rum, liqueurs, and even brandy. The one Calypso Coffee with Tia Maria Liqueur is incredibly smooth and perfectly sweet. I can't speak for the food, but as with most Thai restaurants, the menu is huge and they serve up all the usual favorites, from Pad Thai to Currys. Yes, it's all heavy stuff, but hey, you have a forest right outside to work it off in.

So one rather generous star for their amazing tiered beer garden. There's a playground as well to…read morekeep the kids occupied. But - and there is a huge but - don't come for the food. The fried tofu starter was flavourless and the peanut sweet chilli sauce too sugary. The drunken noodles were similarly prepared with a massive dose of sweetness in a cloyingly disgusting bright red sauce. If I wanted dessert, I would have ordered it. Another example of poorly executed Thai food. Not good.