please note - reviews on this site are purely the opinion of site visitors, so don't take them too seriously.
Fantastic! I used to go there when the old girls ran it, the roof had fallen in in the outside gents loos and the pub sign hang by one chain and the beer was a tin of Watneys Seven on the stairs behind the door!
Lovingly restored by owner, Rob Walster this is a MUST visit place. He has kept it as a traditional ale house. There are about six real ales on offer at any one time plus Belgian beers. Imaginative but hearty food, with the odd little twist. The food is to complement the beer. The huge fish and chips on a Friday night are to die for. Frequent beer festivals and a massive firework display are highlights of the year.
Stow Maries is the gateway to the Dengie peninsular and pubs don't get any better than this. On your trip also pay the nearby WWI airfield a visit.
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The POW remains an excellent pub after many years in the same ownership of Rob Walster. It seemlessly marries good food, a great selection of well kept real ales, ciders and foreign beers, with a convivial ("musak" free) atmosphere, generated in a traditional Essex weatherboard, flagstone floored gem of a building. It's further assisted by an eclectic clientele and occasionally outrageous landlord! The pub has excellent quality rooms, puts on various music and comedy and fireworks events throughout the year, catering for residents and visitors equally well. It is, in my opinion, amongst the very best pubs in the UK and well worth seeking out by anyone who enjoys a genuinely proper pub and all that that means.
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I hadn't been back to the pub for a number of years but I'm pleased to say all was the same since my last visit. Beers at �3 a pint - plenty of choice and the food was superb. The seating leaves a lot to be desired and I sat on 3 until |I found one that was comfortable. My wife suggested the visit which was all the more surprising as she never liked the place as we used to sit in the family area where the front door is always kept open. However, she's now changed her mind and I forsee many happy visits to come.
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Nice pub real ales change almost weekly which was good when able to have taste before you order but now want to charge a pound to find out if you like a particular beer you could spend a lot of money to find a beer you like then do the same thing a week or so later not good
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Classic white weather boarded building , well maintained inside and out. It has been a regular in the GBG for some time now.
Six real ales on at the time of my visit. Two from titanic and usually something from Crouch vale, local to here. Priced at �2.90 - �3.00 a pint. The serving area is quite small and I can imagine it gets testing at times/
Friendly ,intelligent ,local crowd. Lots to like about this public house and although not a destination pub in its own right it is well worth seeking out if in
the vicinity.
Verdict: Deserving of its 2010 GBG entry. Happy to return.
R44
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Just read Tracey Hayden's report from a years ago, well I know her her father in law (PW) and he admitts that she is an embaresment to the familey and said that he made his appologies know when she made the acusations - people like her - should not be allowed to post lies about decent people and thier bussinesses, still by what he says she won't be in the familey much longer.
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This pub is by far the best in Essex. I find it hard to believe that anyone could dislike such a glorious ale house of the old school style. Its free of a jukebox & fruit machines.
A great range of ales, Traditional Pub Food at reasonable prices and now four stylish B&B rooms.
If you want real atmosphere, open fireplaces and electric banter this is the place...check out the jazz 3rd Friday in the month � a real treat.
It�s my favourite pub in the whole world. I love it best on wintry afternoons, glowing fires the smell of wood smoke and plates of random nibbles FANTASTIC !
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The Prince Of Wales has always been an outstanding boozer but now I've stayed in one of their rooms they've gone up another notch. The decor was modern, fresh and comfortable, the service was accomadating and friendly and the cooked breakfast was very impressive too (with no snooze- interrupting time requirements).
Thanks Prince. As always the beer and food were tip top.
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This is an absolute gem of a pub. A Real Ale drinkers paradise and the food is very good too, especially the fish.
I have spent many hours drinking winter ales by the real fires or tipping back fruit beers in the garden.
A fine old traditional pub and long may it stay this way.
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Landlord Rob Walster knows his beer and knows his food. Frequent visitor, especially on Thursday evenings when the old baker's oven is fired up for pizza night - my Italian friends reckon they are the only 'real' pizzas they have found in England (including London). Good for an evening out, a quick lunch or just a quick pint and a chat. In spite of good reputation for food and large, ever changing range of real ales impeccably kept pulling in people from afar the Prince is still a proper village pub where you will find good converstion with an eclectic mix of locals from gardeners to businessmen. Bar staff always friendly and welcoming.
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Warm, friendly pub, excellent selection of beers. It always seems to be busy whenever we go there, but service is quick and staff are polite and helpful. You always seem to meet someone interesting to talk to. Food looks good and from the decor one gathers that the landlord has a sense of humour. I regularly do a twelve mile journey and would recommend it if you want to steer clear of jukeboxes and televisions!
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Fabulous function room and bedrooms - we were giving people tours of the four poster room! Who else has hand forged nails in solid wooden doors and a walk-in shower and separate bath! The pizzas cooked in the victorian oven impressed our 'pizza connoissieur' guests who said they were the best they had ever had. People drifted from the function room into the bars, it was a memorable event and we would recommend the hospitality, attention to detail and uniqueness of the venue.
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Good beer, if a little pricey. Very good food. Nice decor, ambience. However - first time we went, only one barmaid who was overwhelmed, and who chose to spend 10 minutes collecting glasses before serving us. Understand she was busy - but it was a Bank Holiday so why not have more staff? Also, sort the customer first THEN the glasses. Very clean, very good, just this minor staff issue to make it perfect.
anonymous - 13 Sep 2007 17:46 |
What a wonderful pub, good booze, nice beer garden, the menu looks great, last time i was in, there were a couple of desperate house wife barmaids, which was amusing.
Have had a few great evenings there.
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I had a quick pint on a Sunday afternoon after watching some grass track racing with the other half. The choice of ale was impressive, the food looked superb and if only i wasnt driving, i dont think i would have left. The only negative is the price, perhaps you get what you pay for though? 1xPint of ale, 1 x small (very) glass of rose wine = �4.90 ouch.
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Of course you have your opinion, wonderful, but I can�t help disagreeing with many of views aired on this site. In fact so surprised was I that more than one person was quite disappointed by the whole ambiance of the place that I wanted share my opinion. It has never really been a venue for occasions such as wedding receptions in all the time I have known the place not just in the last 5 years. I know and speak to many people, strangers, and everybody is genuinely impressed by the place, I guess another reason why it has won awards. Also I see no reason why the place should have changed from a few years back because it has been under the same management for some time now. Next time when I sit in front of the log fire speaking to the owner with a pint of old toads bum (or whatever name the wonderful traditional ale has) I will wonder if this is what the atmosphere is like now it must have been cr�me de la cr�me "a few years back". Sorry about the Spelling I am dyslexic (which ironically is one of the few words I can spell. Next time you�re driving through Stow Maries on a cold night, stop off at the prince and warm to its atmosphere, it is one of life�s few pleasures. I will even buy you half a toad�s bum.
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The POW is certainly not as good as it used to be a few years back, and NO I have not been brainwashed by fast-food outlets or sterilised (note the spelling) American food places...just stating an opinion. The atmosphere is certainly not as welcoming anymore as it once was. Shame
anonymous - 5 Jan 2005 11:24 |
I honestly cannot believe that there are more than one or two unhappy customers. i have been to this pub a number of times and everything from its excellent beer/ real ale policyto the wonderfull traditional food they serve is stunning. The bar staff are kind, their attitude is exactly what it should be. Even the talk about football is good. it has a warm, wlcoming atmosphear. I can pnly presume that the number of people on this site who claim to be dissatisfied by there time there have been brainwashed by fast food out lets and steralised american food places. well this public house is the oposit, traditional. and proud of it. i will allways enjoy this pub: it didnt become the best pub in england for this region in a number of compotitions for no reason. not just hull city fans welcome, ipswich fans too.
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3 couples had booked their receptions there for the coming year. I actually asked them 1st what day would be convenient for them before booking my wedding ceremony. this was last august. We arranged an appointment 2 months ago to go and discuss food with the chef and we called to say we were on our way and ruinning a bit late and they said don't bother we don't do weddings anymore! One couple didn't even know their's had been cancelled until we told them, which is appalling. They can't even apolgise. They have got plenty of room as the plan was to have a marquee. Just like their fireworks nights. We have been going there for years and years. Won't be going ever again!
Tracy - 13 Aug 2004 15:45 |
I'm surprised by Tracey Hayden's report - i know the pub well and it has never been a wedding reception venue. Would have to be a pretty small wedding reception too1
Charles - 6 Aug 2004 06:40 |
Terrible. They have let down 3 couples this year at the last minute. I booked my wedding reception there in august 2003 (even chose the day based on their convenience) for september 2004 and they cancelled without an explanation or apology. I am furious!
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3rd May, just returned from POW. The meal was not edible, the three other people with me had the same opinion of my meal. I did not make fuss but advised waitress of problem with food. Food was removed from table and passing comment made by waitress that my comments were being dealt with. I heard no more about my complaint even though I sat in bar drinking further 1 1/2 pints. I drink regularly in POW but will not return in hurrry, nor will people with me. The only other time I ate in pub I found a metal staple in the pizza. Shame because beer is usaully excellent and pub has just opened extra eating area. Pub will have to improve attitude towards customer complaints if it is to fill extra covers.
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If you like 'real ale' and mindless banter about football you will love the POW. Food is excellent, ask about the wine tasting nights! Homemade pizza's fresh from the victorian brick oven on thurs nights. Live music.
Hull City fans especially welcome.
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Thanks for the recommendation - this is an excellent pub!! Great beer and great food (in great portions too). If you're in the area, go in and find the only Hull City fan in Essex. Just wish it was nearer to where I live or a train station.
Darren in the City - 19 Jul 2003 14:17 |
A friendly, low-ceilinged freehouse offering a constantly changing range of up to 6 beers. Very convivial, warm welcoming atmosphere offered by staff and locals alike. A real cider sometimes available. Food looked good during my visit last night but didn't have chance to taste it! Beer festivals take place from time to time and, although quiet on my visit, live music is advertised. An excellent pub - go there - you will not be disappointed!
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