Recommend a pub - Near Stansted

[hacksaw]

Last time I asked a similar question (pub near Gatwick), the hive mind came good with some strong suggestions.

Travelling to STN from oooop north on Friday next week, and, following my last trip to STN a month or so ago and a massive traffic jam and delay, we are giving ourselves plenty of leeway for the flight, Normally STN is 3.5 hours drive, I'm adding an extra couple of hours to this, at least. If traffic is good and we make good time, we will likely have a couple of hours to kill for a late lunch.

Can anyone recommend somewhere decent for a bite to eat, not too far from the airport? Pub preferred but happy if there are any little bistro type places.

Thanks all.

[theplayingmantis]

cricketers at clavering (formerly owned by the olivers and where fat tongue grew up, now part of an excellent regional chain), or what was the flitch of bacon (not what it was but decent)at little dunmow , (i refuse to call it by its new name as it irritates me, like the dog and pickle at moreton, its the nags head and always will be, and a cockerpoo has no place on a pub sign BTW, despite being lovely dogs.)

both have rooms i think if you want stay over.

wont get better food closer, although , both within 20 odd mins.

[hacksaw]

Thanks for this, exactly the type of thing I was looking for, much appreciated.

[OzzyR1]

Fleur De Lys in Widdington also worth a look if coming from the North

[theplayingmantis]

OzzyR1 said:

Fleur De Lys in Widdington also worth a look if coming from the North

funny you should say that, i thought about it but haven't been since it changed hands, used to be wonderful, but the menu since take over has been a bit basic and uninspiring comparatively, have you been since it changed hands?

the fact they never bothered to take over the website and are just on facebook doesnt leave a good impression IMO

[vixen1700]

OzzyR1 said:

Fleur De Lys in Widdington also worth a look if coming from the North

Nice little pub, used to like going in there when I lived out that way. Heard it had closed down, but it still seems to be there which is good.

Nearby is The Coach & Horses in Newport which was also quite a nice little pub for food.

[theplayingmantis]

vixen1700 said:

OzzyR1 said:

Fleur De Lys in Widdington also worth a look if coming from the North

Nice little pub, used to like going in there when I lived out that way. Heard it had closed down, but it still seems to be there which is good.

Nearby is The Coach & Horses in Newport which was also quite a nice little pub for food.

as stated its changed hands and isnt anywhere near the same on the face of it food/menu wise.

[rah1888]

theplayingmantis said:

OzzyR1 said:

Fleur De Lys in Widdington also worth a look if coming from the North

funny you should say that, i thought about it but haven't been since it changed hands, used to be wonderful, but the menu since take over has been a bit basic and uninspiring comparatively, have you been since it changed hands?

the fact they never bothered to take over the website and are just on facebook doesnt leave a good impression IMO

That's a very interesting thing to read! Good friends were the proprietors until earlier this year (or was it late last year?) shame it's not continued the good reputation.

[theplayingmantis]

rah1888 said:

theplayingmantis said:

OzzyR1 said:

Fleur De Lys in Widdington also worth a look if coming from the North

funny you should say that, i thought about it but haven't been since it changed hands, used to be wonderful, but the menu since take over has been a bit basic and uninspiring comparatively, have you been since it changed hands?

the fact they never bothered to take over the website and are just on facebook doesnt leave a good impression IMO

That's a very interesting thing to read! Good friends were the proprietors until earlier this year (or was it late last year?) shame it's not continued the good reputation.

November I think.

I haven't tried it since but the menu is not a patch on what it was...but it may be great I don't know, hence asking if they had tried it. The impression from the less interesting menu and lack of bothering to get a website, still, suggests a lot to me.

FB reviews are decent tbf but from afar it doesn't stand out like its impressive forebears did, when the menu was a genuine delight.