Chelmsford and Mid-Essex

Campaign for Real Ale

Campaign for Real Ale

Cider Pubs

These are the places where you may get Real Cider in the CME region.

  • Boreham
    • Queen's Head Telephone(01245) 467298 Church Road Boreham CM3 3EG

      Dating from the 16th century and run by the same family for over 20 years, this friendly pub is tucked away behind houses just past the church.

      Two contrasting bars, one with bench seating where darts, dominoes and crib are played, the other for dining.

      A wooden conservatory has been added leading to the garden; this offers a lovely area to sit at one of the picnic benches and enjoy food and drink in the tranquil backdrop of the village church. Home-cooked fare served Thursday and Friday. Beer festivals over the bank holiday weekends at Easter and August.

      In current CME Recommended Pub Guide and Branch Pub of the Year 2022.

  • Braintree
    • King William IV Telephone07595 911046 114 London Road Braintree CM77 7PU

      Warm and friendly traditional free house serving an ever-changing range of up to four real ales, usually featuring Essex microbreweries. An interesting selection of ciders. There is a main bar and a small back bar. A large patio area with picnic tables and extensive gardens are used to host many events throughout the year including beer festivals and musical events. This is a traditional drinking pub that does not offer cooked meals. The Moody Goose brewery is located in the grounds of the pub and at least one of their ales is usually available in the warmer months. In current CME Recommended Pub Guide.

  • Chelmsford
    • Ale House Telephone(01245) 260535 24-26 Viaduct Road Chelmsford CM1 1TS

      A unique bar in Chelmsford, located under the arches at the railway station. One of the widest ranges of continuously changing beers in Essex, always including dark and stronger beers, nine ales, six real ciders and at least fifteen craft keg. There are also imported lagers on tap and a wide range of bottled beers from around the world. No food but customers are welcome to bring their own or order a takeaway; plates and cutlery can be provided. Quiz on the first and third Sunday of each month and regular beer festivals. In current CME Recommended Pub Guide.

    • Golden Fleece Telephone(01245) 256752 84 Duke Street Chelmsford CM1 1JP

      A lively city centre pub, with a beer garden, which appeals to all ages. Serving 6 real ales, up to 3 ciders and 4 craft beers on draught plus 10 in bottles. Food served all week. 20% discount on real ales to CAMRA members. On Mondays and Tuesdays from 5pm all real ales are £2.15 per pint, with free cheese on Tuesday. Quiz every Thursday and cover bands every Friday and Saturday evenings. In current CME Recommended Pub Guide.

    • Hop Beer Shop Telephone(01245) 353570 173 Moulsham Street Chelmsford CM2 0LD

      Essex' first micropub. Four beers are served by gravity, and always include local breweries as well as interesting beers from around the country, with usually a stout or porter and a golden beer. In addition, there are craft kegs, around 100 bottled beers from local and international breweries, and bottled cider, which may be drunk there or purchased to take home. The atmosphere is one of a traditional pub where people can meet and talk. Branch Pub of the Year 2016 and 2017 and Cider Pub of the Year 2018, 2019 and 2020.

    • Orange Tree Telephone(01245) 262664 6 Lower Anchor Street Chelmsford CM2 0AS

      The Orange Tree is one of the best real ale pubs in Chelmsford and was voted branch Pub of the Year in 2014, 2015 and 2020. A second pub for Max and Jess, who also run the Queen's Head in Boreham. A place for conversation and meeting friends. Two separate large bars, a public and saloon and also a lovely outside rear patio area. Great range of beers are served, always something dark. Lunchtime food is served Wednesday to Friday.

  • Chignal Smealey
    • Pig & Whistle Telephone(01245) 443186 Chignal Road Chignal Smealey CM1 4SZ

      This 16th Century beamed restaurant is a Trip Advisor top ten restaurant with three rooms, a snug, sun terrace and garden providing lunch light bites, evening candlelit a la carte menu and a four meat Sunday carvery with vegetarian option. Also opens on Bank Holiday Mondays.

  • Fuller Street
    • Square & Compasses Telephone(01245) 361477 Fuller Street CM3 2BB

      17th century free house known locally as the Stokehole. Set in attractive countryside and handy for the Essex Way long distance footpath this is a small well looked after country pub. There are exposed beams throughout with two wood-burning stoves in inglenook fireplaces. Old local woodworking tools adorn the taproom bar. Up to three real ales and local Berties cider are served. Fresh locally sourced home-cooked food is available daily including game from the surrounding estates (no food Sunday evenings). In current CME Recommended Pub Guide.

  • Great Baddow
    • Chelmsford Brew Co Taproom Telephone(01245) 476267 Brewery Fields, Church Street Great Baddow CM2 7LE

      Located on a small industrial estate in Great Baddow, south of the city. The Tap Room is part of the brewery just behind the brewery shop, with comfortable seating and several benches to relax in. The seating layout lends itself to good conversation and a pleasant atmosphere. Selection of their own beers always available and the occasional guest beer in cask.

  • Little Baddow
    • Rodney Telephone(01245) 222385 North Hill Little Baddow CM3 4TQ

      Grade II listed traditional village pub with two bars, one with pool table and TV, the other a small drinking area. Many beams and brasses. Nautical theme as the pub name originates from Admiral Rodney and subsequently several Royal Navy ships. Lovely Garden. Usually stays open later on Sundays in summer, but may close earlier in Winter if quiet. Beer festival in August.

  • Little Waltham
    • White Hart Telephone(01245) 360205 107 The Street Little Waltham CM3 3NY

      This village pub has been revived as a very popular gastropub which still welcomes those who just want a drink. Grade II listed, the outside has been attractively refurbished while a complete renovation has produced a modern, light and airy interior. Two areas are reserved for those having meals but the bar area is not. Five handpumps normally supply four beers and one cider. The beers change regularly with at least one local ale. Meals start at 9am with breakfast, and include dairy-free and gluten-free options. Two for one food deals on Monday (roasts), Tuesday (fish) and Wednesday (burgers). Occasional music, quiz and themed nights on Thursdays. In current CME Recommended Pub Guide.

  • Littley Green
    • Compasses Telephone(01245) 362308 Littley Green CM3 1BU

      Formerly the Ridley's Brewery tap, this is a picturesque Victorian country pub in a quiet hamlet. A wood-panelled bar has benches around the walls and a tiled floor. Beers are drawn direct from casks in the half-cellar. Renowned filled huffers (giant baps) are available lunchtimes and evenings, plus other traditional dishes. Seats and tables outside and in the large large gardens. Five high quality rooms available. Annual Events: Easter Steam Up - Easter Weekend, Hopstock Beer Festival - in August, Yule Fest - Christmas Week.

      Awards

      • Essex CAMRA Pub of the Year 2012 and 2013
      • East Anglian Pub of the Year 2012
      • Chelmsford & Mid Essex CAMRA Branch Pub of the Year Joint Runner-up 2023
      • Chelmsford & Mid Essex CAMRA Branch Cider Pub of the Year 2017, 2022 and 2023
      • Essex CAMRA Cider Pub of the Year 2022
  • Margaretting Tye
    • White Hart Inn Telephone(01277) 841244 Swan Lane Margaretting Tye CM4 9JX

      Large country open plan pub with a fire place and large garden with pods and benches. Has recently changed from the TWH Steakhouse back to the White Hart Inn. Now serving home cooked traditional pub food using fresh local ingredients. 6 gravity fed ales are available often from the Brentwood Brewery. Regular music nights on Friday and Saturdays,

  • Mill Green
    • Viper Telephone(01277) 352010 Mill Green Road Mill Green CM4 0PT

      Recently renovated to a high standard and in keeping with in the character of this isolated unspoilt Grade II listed country pub. The public bar and saloon are both split into two areas including a wood-panelled snug with service via a hatch/door and a pitch penny bench. The Saloon bar area has exposed beams and a selection of cosy sitting areas. A new larger room "The Boars Head" has been added to the rear of the pub. Food is available seven days a week,  the menu includes light bites, sandwiches, main meals and desserts with vegetarian options. Large outside garden area with benches. A very dog friendly pub.

  • Springfield
    • Endeavour Telephone(01245) 257717 351 Springfield Road Springfield CM2 6AW

      Cosy and friendly community pub about twenty minutes walk (or direct bus route) from Chelmsford city centre. Three separate rooms, with a quiet area on the left as you enter. Serving home cooked meals Thursday, Friday and Saturday. Hosting mini beer festivals, tap takeovers and regular charity events. Sun trap garden and dog friendly. Regularly changing selection of cask ales. Monthly special beer 'Loopy Juice' something strong or different. From November 2023 now closed on Mondays but open Bank Holidays.

      Awards

      • East Anglia CAMRA Pub of the Year 2023
      • Essex CAMRA Pub of the Year 2023
      • Chelmsford & Mid Essex CAMRA Branch Pub of the Year 2023 and 2024
      • Chelmsford & Mid Essex CAMRA Branch Cider Pub of the Year Runner Up 2023
  • Widford
    • Sir Evelyn Wood Telephone(01245) 957019 56 Widford Road Widford CM2 8SY

      Local community Pub named after the British Army Field Marshall who won the VC in 1858 during the Indian Mutiny. Three connected bars in a traditional pub including bench window seats. There is a covered patio area and a garden with benches. Serving 3 changing Ales from Gravity, usually a Dark a Bitter and a Gold.

New Real Cider and Perry Definitions 2021

Due to the change of definition of Real Cider and Perry by CAMRA, the pubs officially recognised as selling these are currently under review. Products from Westons, Thatchers, Gwynt y Ddraig and Lilleys that are popular with drinkers of real cider and other pub customers, are not compliant with the new definition.

In order to be recognised as a Real Cider pub for the Good Beer Guide and to be eligible for the CAMRA Cider and Perry Pub of the Year competition, a pub must sell at least one cider/perry from the CAMRA approved products list. 'Real Cider Sold Here' window stickers will be provided for pubs to display their status.

Click the below links for the new definition, the lists of producers of traditional ciders plus the approved fruit ciders list including those with fruit added pre- and post-fermentation, additional flavours such as herbs, spices, flowers or hops. Up-to-date guidelines for judging the Cider Pub of the Year can also be downloaded.

Cider Definition May 2021  Cider Producers October 2021  Fruit Ciders October 2021

Cider and Perry PotY Judging Criteria Thumbnail