Pubs with Accommodation

The White Hart Inn

Swan Lane, Margaretting Tye, Essex CM4 9JX

Tel: 01277 840478

e-mail: liz@thewhitehart.com

website: www.thewhitehart.com

Owner Liz Haines and her team of friendly staff have established The White Hart as one of the best pubs in the whole region. The pub is a traditional Essex weather-board building, consisting of a large single bar and an extensive family room/conservatory. The rural setting lends itself to a number of excellent walks which makes it a popular choice with ramblers, cyclists and tourists. The pub is located on Swan Lane; a grade II listed street running from Stock to Galleywood & Margaretting. The frontage is always adorned with flower baskets and boxes and the gardens are beautifully maintained all year round. Inside the bar area is heavily beamed with a vaulted ceiling and a wood burning stove, a welcome source of warmth on cold winter days, all of which adds to the cosy, traditional ambience. An extensive collection of beer and champagne bottles decorate the shelves around the bar and the walls are festooned with old pictures (some of the pub in days gone by, and others of agricultural scenes) and pub and brewery memorabilia.

There is always a fine selection of excellent real ales. Liz, ably assisted by Barry Mott, the cellar man, keeps an enviable cellar with house beers coming from local champion brewer Mighty Oak (Oscar Wilde Mild and IPA) and regional stalwart Adnams (Best and Broadside). Apart from this selection, which would get the majority of pubs a fair write up in the pages of GBBG, Liz always has a minimum of 3 to 4 other guest ales serving. All are poured directly from the barrel in the tap room behind the bar. They have recently been awarded Chelmsford & Mid-Essex CAMRA Pub of the Year as a result of their achievements in this area.

The White Hart has an excellent reputation as a really good place to eat. The long standing Chef Ting Sayer puts the emphasis on using only quality produce sourced locally when available. Food is available 7 days a week with a wide range of meals and snacks. A selection of 'Daily Specials' are featured on a huge blackboard that hangs over the fireplace in the main bar.

Two key events during the year are a stunning Summer Beer Festival in June with over 60 beers, ciders and perry in a marquee that could put the Chelsea Flower Show to shame (in size if not flora and fauna!!); and a smaller winter Beer Festival over the last weekend in October. Liz has recently added B & B facilities to the already wonderful establishment; two en suite rooms are available for hire at very reasonable rates.

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