Essex has no shortage of top class pubs and many of them have great beer gardens to enjoy warm weather in too. But one pub in particular is definitely worth a visit on a sunny day as it overlooks England's most picturesque village.
The Fox on the Green pub in Finchingfield is set in an absolutely stunning location. The 16th-century coaching inn is in the heart of Finchingfield, overlooking the village green and duck pond.
The pub, a few miles from Braintree, is based in the traditional village of Finchingfield. The village has been described as the 'most photographed village in England' and has won awards for its picturesque setting.
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Visit Essex say of the village: "The combination of duck pond, village green, hump-backed bridge and pub, overlooked by colour-washed cottages, a windmill and a medieval church, give it an unbeatable series of views, which are often found on calendars, chocolate boxes, tea towels, postcards and jigsaws."
The pub's menus can change from season to season due to availability of ingredients, but they can include homemade soup (£8.25), pork, apple and leek sausage rolls (£9.50) and larger pub classics like steak and ale pie (£18.95), ham, egg and chips (£16.95) and steak (£34).
They also serve up vegetarian and vegan options too, including roasted squash (£9.50), smoky aubergine lasagne (£16.95) and others.
Their website says: "The Fox on the Green enjoys a unique location, overlooking the village greens and pond in what is often referred to as “the prettiest village in Essex”. From the Front Terrace and inside the pub, you can admire the view, watch the ducks and their ducklings waddling past or simply sit back and enjoy some exceptional dining prepared by our team of chefs.
"The Beer Garden at the rear of the pub was created to allow our customers to eat and drink in the open air, away from the hustle and bustle of the village."
There are plenty of positive reviews of the pub online, too. Trevor Ventura said on Google, " Excellent home-cooked food. Stunning location. Lovely, welcoming staff. Gorgeous building with a great country feel inside. Highly recommended."
Paul Wright added, "Beautiful pub, lovely staff, a real country treat. Food is excellent, and the ales! I recommend it highly."
The Fox on the Green is a popular stop for cyclists and walkers passing through. On-street parking is available, but it can get busy during the warmer months.
When you're done at the classic pub, the village is also home to plenty of other interesting attractions. The Round House, an 18th-century cottage of Dutch design, was once owned by the writer Dodie Smith, author of 101 Dalmatians. There's also a stunning windmill to take in too.
