I have passed this pub many times on the way into Braintree and have always meant to give it a…read morevisit. Friday, while we waited for a Chinese takeaway to be cooked we made a visit. Entering we were greeted by the landlord with a cheery welcome. The bar had about eight real ales on offer, my heaven. Above the bar was a sign showing that other guest beers would be arriving in the future. Not knowing any of the ales on offer the landlady offered to give me a sample before buying. I believe that you need a full pint to gain the full flavours so I declined and had a pint, then another of a different ale followed by another LOL. The pub has a mixture of ages and characters in it's clientele. On leaving a friendly 'bye' was given by the landlady and landlord. Be sure, I will be returning to this haven in Braintree. It's nice to see that there still is the hospitality in some pubs, an art many have lost.

Good service good food good portions clean and decorated very well nothing more to addread more

Where do I start? The pub is on the main through road of Gosfield so can't be missed easily. Plenty…read moreof parking space, if one of you is driving. Unlike many pubs today, which thrive to survive using the the restaurant side, this pub has two bars as well as the restaurant. So, if you want just a pint then there is plenty of seating room. Wood beamed ceiling and inglenook fireplace, nice for those colder nights in winter. We were there to celebrate a 30th birthday and on arriving, early, we were welcomed by the bar staff with warm cheery smiles (a pleasant surprise these days). A table for the eight of us was already laid and we decorated it a little. Then down to a few drinks while awaiting the other guests. Nice selection of real ales and, I noticed, a fantastic selection of worldwide whiskies (although my favourite, Laphroaig, was absent). Once seated we perused the fantastic menu. I guarantee that there would be something on it that anyone would choose, even veggies. My problem was that there was so much choice and I wanted to try everything. I started with Cromer crab and avocado with lime dressing. Aberdeen Angus rump steak with a homemade peppercorn dressing (none of the usual bottled sauce), Portabello mushroom and really CHUNKY chips Wow delicious, both courses. Finally, cheese and biscuits. Three unusual local cheeses, with loads of crackers, celery, apple wedges, butter and a pot of home made chutney. A meal in itself. Going on the sounds from our friends and the empty plates around the table I can only assume that the other meals were as delicious as mine. Nice touch for a pub. Cream teas in the afternoon, unusual. Anyway, thanks to all you guys and gals behind the bar and in the kitchen for a wonderful evening. You all have done the English pub/restaurant trade PROUD. We will see you again.

Once again a friends meeting and, naturally, the pick was The Green Dragon. It has never let us…read moredown. Covid precautions still in place, thank goodness. This, I mean, for the safety of customers but, more importantly, for staff. Without the staff, establishments like this cannot open and give decent service. The food and service in this 'pub' had never changed. Always friendly and priced in the region giving everyone a chance of eating out once in a while. Loved the starter of scotch eggs. Was worried that a Scotch egg was a little heavy for a starter but these were a little smaller. That didn't take away how delicious they were. The mains of mussels with fries was a great offer. My parents were Belgian so I was brought up on 'mosselen met frites'. These met my taste buds very well. Still a great pub, great service, lovely atmosphere. Guys #staysafe

Went here with my family after a long day of sightseeing. Grump and hunger all around. The…read moreappetizers, chicken wings and some felafel lime things, soothed our frayed tempers and prepared us to enjoy the meal. I had the Ploughman, which I thought was tasty and lots of fun (as an American I hadn't had anything like it before). My sister had the chicken pie and it was yummy. My mom enjoyed the lamb, but my dad wasn't much impressed with the fish and chips. We got ice cream for dessert and it was very good. Highly recommend the lemon curd sorbet. The service was a bit slow, but the waitress were nice. One was still going through training.

Our annual Christmas get together but where do we go? We chose The Castle because of good words we…read morehad heard and read but would it reach our 'exacting' standards (if those ever existed). Immediately, on arrival, we knew it would. Such a friendly welcome by the bar staff and front of house. Shown to our table, a nicely laid table, by a really charming young lady by the name of, we learned later, Eleanor. Drinks were ordered while we waited for the remainder of our party. Those drinks arrived promptly. When the entourage had arrived the food started to be served as our pre-requested, telephone, order. I would point out that Eleanor managed to serve the whole table and take drinks orders. A massive achievement. We had been to other establishments where two or three servers waited on us and still got things totally, disastrously, wrong. Not with this young lady, perfect. The food was fantastic, so compliments to the kitchen staff. Wonderful starters and as for the Christmas roast...delicious. Plenty of meat, stuffing etc etc and masses of veggies. Perfect. I missed out on a dessert as I was totally full but the remainder of the table tucked into plate loads of Christmas pudding and some had cheese. The whole evening went wonderfully well thanks to all the staff. People do forget those in the background that we never see. So thanks you to them. A massive thank you to Eleanor, the princess of The Castle.

From the owner: We serve Breakfast from 8pm Monday to Saturday. We offer food at all times of day including a…read morerange of Cakes and Desserts from a counter that go perfectly with a tea or Coffee. Our Main meals come served with a tasty complimentary loaf of bread for the table and if you order our Traditional Menu items we will receive a complimentary cup of soup or salad depending on the season.

A nicely served pint for a Sunday lunchtime. Luckily the weather was warm so we could sit outside…read morebecause inside it was so smokey from the open, wood burning, fire. The chimney needs a good sweep.

What a find!!! Stubbled across The George whilst walking the hounds.. such a wonderful reception…read moreand so accommodating. Normally we would book ahead but the food was fab and so nice to see local ales on tap!! Guessing this pub isa Saffron brewery tap house as their fantastic beers were holding a majority on our visit. Keep up the good work, we will be back!!

The good: - looked like authentic food to me (a Yankee)…read more- ended up having fish & chips, because I was not so sure of goat lever... - great beer selection (local ales) - friendly service - lovely surrounding - They have a few rooms

I stayed at the Compasses Inn overnight on 22nd February 2014 along with my mother, sister and her…read morefiance when we attened a family wedding at nearby Leez Priory. There are 5 rooms set out in a courtyard arrangement all individually decorated in a 'modern country' style and each has its own shower room, tv/radio, hospitality tray (with a nice range of teas and coffee) and hairdryer. The largest one (Old Bob) is the accessable room for disabled guests. My mother and I were in the twin bedded* 'ESX Best' room which was nice, comfortable and clean with effective underfloor heating (in fact we found it too effective and had to turn the thermastat down). The beds are 3' wide, very comfortable and very high. I didn't measure the height, but my own bed is 24" (appprox 60cm) high and the ones here are definately higher. The only potental problem with the room is that there is no full length wardrobe. Instead there is a 'tallboy' or 'gentleman's wardrobe', so hanging up ladies' dresses that are knee length or longer could be tricky. There are a couple of hooks on the back of the room door that can be used, but the door open inwards and onto a wall so one doesn't want to hang too much on them. I suspect, due to the layout of the rooms, that 'Rumpus' may have a similar set up. My sister and fiance were in 'Witchfinder General' which does have a full length wardrobe and can have another bed or cot added (by arrangement) for use as a family room. Breakfast is served in a private room in the Pub and consists of a choice of cereal, fresh fruit or yoghurt and orange juice followed by a choice of cooked breakfast, of which I had the deceptively filling Eggs Benedict, toast and tea or coffee. My mother and sister both have problems with gluten/wheat so couldn't have some of the breakfast items but those were replaced with things they could eat eg the saugages were replaced with extra bacon. We had arranged with the owner to provided GF bread, but unfotunately he was called away at the last minute, so was unable to obtain any in time. Because of this, I would recommend that anyone with dietery requirements double checks there is no problem before starting their journey. The cost of the rooms is £65.00p per room per night and breakfast is £10.00p per person per night. *For any American readers: Please note that in the UK a Twin Bedded room is so called because it had 2 beds, that look like 'identical twins' each of which sleeps one person and not one bed which is known as a Single Bed in the UK and a Twin Bed in the USA. NB: Do not confuse this inn with the Compasses, Broomfield Road, Chelmsford. They are two different places.

Recently converted gastropub, owned by Daniel Clifford, the head chef of a 2 michelin star…read moreCambridge 'gaff' Midsummer House. The design is more gastro than pub (only 3 ales on tap), but the ambiance is warm, and friendly, like the staff - if you after brass rubbings and oak beams, there's plenty of other local options. So, to the food.... My dad - a 'no-nonsense pub man', and I both had the same set lunch - 3 courses for £22.... Pea veloute with pork belly ravioli Venison loin Rhubarb posset Each dish was a winner, plated as if from a michelin restaurant, and deservedly returned spotless. The ravioli was a particular delight, bursting with flavour. Prices are naturally higher for a la carte (ranging upwards from £14 and into the high £20's for a couple of dishes), but I'm pretty sure that this will be an understandable nod to the skill and creativity of the kitchen. I read that Clifford has his own farm and seems to embrace the farm to table ideal - quality local sourcing is very apparent . For those wanting drama and potential kitchen tips, there's a table next to the pass - an obvious link to their fine dining roots. In summary, there can be no finer personal recommendation than my dad's.. "Next time, I'll take your mum.."

Nice enough Essex pub; a good spot to stop for lunch, as I've done on the way to Suffolk once or…read moretwice. There are old church pews for seats, Greene King IPA as the regular drop with some rotating guest ales, and hotpots and pies the typcal food. Of interest is the name: a flitch is an old name for a side of unsliced bacon. The pub takes its name from a 15th-century Whit Monday tradition of giving a flitch to any married couple from the village who could prove they had not had an argument in the last year.

Nice local pub. located opposite a park, so nice on a summers day. Often hold special events like…read morefireworks, or a little fare close by. Out of town with another 2 pubs a few minutes walking distance!

Slices of beef that can be cut with a fork, light Yorkshire pudding, freshly cooked veggies with…read moreroast potatoes. Dish of cauliflower cheese and, as requested, a lashing of hot horseradish sauce. Are you salivating yet. This restaurant cannot be beaten for a Sunday lunch. Nice wine list and let's not forget their house wine, beautiful Sicilian white. I finished with a cheese board of wonderful Italian cheeses. My partner has a love semifreddo which went down a treat. Service is second to none but not 'in your face'. They keep a distant eye on you and are there in a flash, if needed. A big plus is the price. Extremely reasonable. I'll review the mid week menu at a later date as we will be returning.