The Haywain, Bentley Road, Little Bromley, Essex CO11 2PL

The Haywain was Tendring and NE Essex Pub of the Year for a couple of years in the very early 2010s, but that title was taken by the likes of The New Bell Inn, and then The Alma in Harwich. We popped into the pub a couple of times around that time – there were always couple of regular guest ales on, but in a competitive market, even their mahoosive Sunday roast wasn’t enough to tempt us back.

Fast forward to late 2016 and the pub had changed hands, and had a massive internal makeover. Much lighter and more open inside, with an altogether more airy feel. Two of Adnams ales, plus a Colchester Brewery and a Sticklegs ale were on, which bodes well for the future. And to complement the beer, some excellent food (current owners, who are local, come from a gastro background) – we had a light lunch and belly pork, olives, and bread were all top quality.

It’s a pub we’ll be returning to before too long. Easily accessible from the A120, and just 5 minutes drive from Dedham/Manningtree and not much longer from Colchester, it’s a pub we can heartily recommend.