The Old Windmill in Chelmsford

Great beer selection from local breweries. Food always good. Reasonable prices. Booking usually required as very popular over the weekend.

Lunch at The Old Windmill in South Hanningfield felt like a little countryside holiday without the hassle of passport control. We parked up for a casual lunch and ended up staying far longer than planned, thanks to the charming garden and the laid-back vibe under a billowing safari-style tent. It was the sort of spot where time just floats by, perhaps helped along by a couple of chilled fruit ciders (pineapple and raspberry, if you’re curious). Followed by a glass of Prosecco. For mains, we went classic-with-a-twist: a proper steak sandwich with thick-cut chips (no skimping here) and a hot duck wrap crispy, rich, and generously packed also served with golden chips that were just the right side of indulgent. I had grand intentions of snapping a photo for posterity, but the food arrived smelling so good we dove straight in. Cabin crew instincts kicked in: tray down, forks up! The grand finale? A chocolate orange tart paired with blood orange ice cream, zesty, rich, and beautifully balanced. It felt like a proper pudding. Not too sweet, not too heavy just right. The service was excellent, friendly, attentive but never overbearing. It was the kind of traditional British hospitality I really appreciate: warm, efficient, and down to earth. All in all, The Old Windmill delivered a perfect pub lunch with a hint of adventure (safari tent and all). I’ll be back next time with my phone ready, but no promises I won’t forget again if the food’s that good.

A long time since we've been here. Had a steak sarni, mmmmmmm. It was perfect, choc brownie for dessert, was a little too soft. Service was good, coffee nice. Will go back.

Delicious roast on a Sunday. Book to avoid disappointment as it gets very busy. The car park can be a bit hit and miss whether you get a space but one always comes up eventually. They could do with marking the spaces because the parking of some leaves a bit to be desired and would make more space for more to park. Prices are reasonable and service prompt.

Great location, what a shame it did not live up to the expectation. First of all we booked a table for 4 to enjoy the Sunday roast, only to find out they had given our table away to 2 people how does that happen? Apologies and 20 minutes later we sat down and eventually we were asked for our drinks order..... brilliant we can now relax, drinks arrived, we then ordered food. We ordered cauliflower cheese with our mains for the waitress to return 10 minutes later advising no cauliflower cheese left 'Stunned' as this was advertised as a vegetarian alternative which one of or party ordered for this reason. Roast beef (served pink) is the detail on the menu, well sadly mine and my friends were overcooked, so we sent them back, replaced but even then the beef gave the impression of catering style rather than carved.

Lovely pub with excellent location and garden. The only let down was trying to get out! Parking so you only leave 1 cars width for people to get in and out of the main entrance....bit short sighted

Popped in a Sunday and has a lovely meal…friendly staff..good atmosphere…excellent food, definitely value for money

Met our son for lunch here, great setting, beer was good and we had a great meal. Never felt rushed, sat outside and parking was really easy. Staff helpful, dealing with allergies and minor concerns kindly and professionally. Will meet our friends and family int he area here again.

First time visiting and wow, what a lovely pub! We visited on Sunday evening and although busy, the staff were super attentive and efficient. Food was a little on the pricey side but couldn’t fault it. It’s rare these days that I am impressed when eating out but I have to say the staff and food are fantastic. So happy to found this little gem.

Staff are very disrespectful, not to mention the overpriced slop they serve 😭

Very friendly staff. Good garden area. Enjoy the organised dog walks in aid of The Dogs Trust. Plenty of parking.

Gorgeous little spot. The food.itself has some highlights, but the chef didn't seem to cook everything to a high standard, my ravioli was dry and chewy. The lamb was incredibly fatty and the burger fell apart. The deserts were good, but I can't say we will be going back. The server wasn't very polite either.

We have visited her many times and always had good food. This particular visit we were disappointed. Two of our party had ordered roast dinners which when arrived there wasnt any roast potatoes on the plate just mash. When we asked why we werent given an answer as to why there wasnt any then some roast potaotes arrived so was very odd. Wont be rushing back anytime soon !

Really busy due to mothers day, but the service and the food was spot on. We all enjoyed our meals and will be going back again

Lovely Mothers Day meal . Excellent service and food .

Pretty good pub, wish menu selection was better. Had a burger which was tasty but bit overpriced for what it was (£16).

Disappointing. After a not very welcoming welcome, waited 15 mins to order. Food was not a success, one veggie meal arrived swamped in gravy, now vegetarian gravy or not, there was not one word of this in the description. It was however very quickly replaced. Mixed roast seemed to be reheated pre-sliced cuts and had no flavour. Was very expensive for the food received. The puddings were a success but I would not return.

I had a really disappointing experience at The Old Windmill. My friends and I had a table booked for 5:45 PM, and we even arrived a few minutes early. Despite this, we were made to feel unwelcome from the moment we walked in. We had just finished work, so I was wearing a tracksuit, and my friends were in their work clothes. That shouldn’t matter, especially when we had a reservation. However, the staff hesitated to acknowledge us, and when they finally did, they told us to sit outside instead of offering us the table we had booked. When we asked when our actual reserved table would be available, they said half an hour—which felt completely unfair and like we were being judged based on appearance. The looks we received and the way we were treated made us feel discriminated against, as if we didn’t belong there. A booking is a booking, and no one should feel like they’re being treated differently just because of what they’re wearing. I wouldn’t recommend this pub if you expect fair treatment and good customer service. Very disappointing experience!

A nice pub with a good menu. The food was ok, the one vegan options was ambitious and I looked forward to it, but it was very dry and a very small portion. No drinks menu which was annoying, the waitress was really offish when I asked what the drinks were. Service was slow and not particularly friendly. The lamb was really fatty, the burger was soggy and meatball shaped rather than a patty, overall the menu clearly has some amazing dishes but something is missing from the kitchen to make it sparkle. A real shame.

Living in Suffolk, I’ve been to this pub a few times as it’s a good halfway point to meet friends and family from Surrey/Sussex. We recently enjoyed a Sunday lunch at the pub with friends, including a toddler. My roast pork was excellent, and being gluten intolerant I was intrigued to try my wife’s fish and chips, which the menu said was gluten free as standard. It was the best gluten free batter I’ve tried, so will definitely be having it on a future visit. The food certainly isn’t cheap, but the quality justifies the price. Service was very attentive and our friends’ little girl was well looked after.

Lovely food, always! Been many times in various party sizes and always the food is hot, fresh and very tasty. Great selection of beers and ales from local breweries too! Oh and if you need gluten free, you will be pleasantly surprised how many options you have for all three courses! A rare find venue. Keep up the good work Old Windmill crew.

Excellent pub, fantastic food, but unfortunately the patrons can’t park properly! If so many people didn’t leave gaps almost (but not quite) as large as the cars they drive, then you’d probably be able to get another 10 cars in. I would be hesitant to book a table for a Sunday roast for this reason which is unfortunate as it’s a really great pub.

Came here yesterday and would like to say your staff are very polite and efficient. Food was great also but what really stood out to me was your staff more than anything else.

Great ever changing menu, super service, massive carpark good outdoor space loved it

Great food and amazing for gluten free/coeliac highly recommend and will return! Service was great too, thank you for a lovely evening!

Living in Suffolk, I’ve been to this pub a few times as it’s a good halfway point to meet friends and family in Surrey/Sussex. We recently enjoyed a Sunday lunch at the pub with friends, including a toddler. My roast pork was excellent, and being gluten intolerant I was intrigued to try my wife’s fish and chips, which the menu said was gluten free as standard. It was the best gluten free batter I’ve tried, so will definitely be having it on a future visit. The food certainly isn’t cheap, but the quality justifies the price. Service was very attentive and our friends’ little girl was well looked after.

A lovely pub with a warm and welcoming atmosphere. The staff are friendly, and the 18th-century beams add plenty of character. Great selection of local ales on tap and plenty of parking. A fantastic spot to visit!

Great menu. Our party of 15 was well looked after and service was.. good. Food was great. Compliments to the kitchen.

Lovely food, great service and dog friendly 😀

Love visiting The Old Windmill. Lovely atmosphere and always enjoyable food. Can't go wrong

I always have a hard time going to new restaurants, but the moment I bit into the food here, I thought "I have to come back here". The food was absolutely heavenly, and the espresso martini I had was the best espresso martini I've ever tasted. Staff were very friendly as well, I absolutely love this place!

The starter was ok Goan curry king prawns, flatbread. The Menu says Roast beef (served pink), with Yorkshire pudding. Roasts are served with roast potatoes, seasonal vegetables, and gravy. What I was served Roast beef (served well done not a tinge of pink), with Yorkshire pudding. Cabbage cooked two ways. boiled cabbage and overly sweet red cabbage. Potatoes cooked two ways. Under roasted potatoes and mashed potatoes. Thank goodness I found 4 small pieces of carrot. I am sorry, but a roast dinner with mash and badly roasted potatoes is just not a roast dinner. As for seasonal vegetables broccoli and parsnips would be good if I have mash, I will have it with the classic sausage and mash served wit homemade onion gravy and peas Pudding Damson sponge, ginger roast plums, vanilla custard. Which was a bland sponge with cold plums and average custard. Would I go back for Sunday lunch probably not

Great meal - good service with waitresses constantly (bit not obsessively) checking we were OK Food was good and overall a great night

Had a lovely evening at this incredible pub. I have never had a bad meal here and the staff are all excellent.

Food was amazing and would go back

Not what it used to be. I’ve come to this pretty traditional pub on and off for well over 10 years. Recently I went for an evening meal and was very disappointed with the quality of food. You used to always be able to get a great meal, properly cooked from scratch and really tasty but that’s just no longer the case. It’s alright food, just pub grub, but restaurant prices. Won’t go back for a while.

Only came across this little gem a couple months ago. Been a few times now. Staff are wonderful. Food is another level. Delicious, fresh and tasty. Dog friendly. Highly recommend. And if all you want is a drink by the log burner, then this is just for you.

went there yesterday afternoon, my wife found the pub whilst looking for another in the area, superb choice , the old windmill is a beautiful big pub with superb service and lovely food

Met friends for lunch, 2 of us had the chicken ham & leek pie, it was awful, it looked insipid, and top of pie crust inedible, couldn't get knife into it, should have sent it back. Can't fault the staff but will think twice before going again. Have given 3 stars as staff very good.

Poor service. Disappointed. Our seat we booked were taken. we were left standing at the bar for 20 minutes. Only when I approached the staff were we finally taken to a seat. The main meal I ordered did not match the description o the menu.

Fantastic place for great food, good drinks and attentive, warm service. We often have our family Christmas meal here with upwards of 25 of us at a table. Food always exceptional!

Love this place, decent food for celiacs which is a novelty! And really nice staff.

We went the Thursday before Christmas. We had a great time the food was amazing.

Great atmosphere and the service was fabulous. However half the party were vegan/vegetarian and their experience was that main courses were medicore

So disappointed - have been here before and thoroughly enjoyed it. Not today! Starters were good. Steak and ale pie was good. 2 mixed roasts were mediocre. Then the desserts came - all nice except mine which had a black, curly hair on it! Pointed this out to waitress. She took dessert away. She came back with a fresh dessert. I asked if she’d made her manger aware of this. She said yes she had. She was very dismissive. No manager came over to apologise - and there was certainly no kind of re compensation or gesture to make amends. I am very cross that the manager thought that having a big black hair on your dessert didn’t warrant an apology of any kind - terrible customer service! I actually wish I had refused to pay for it now! We certainly will not be returning!

Worst pub food I have ever had , food served on just warm plate so cold whilst eating . Fondant potato described as saffron flavoured bland & unedible, baby leeks & celeriac cooked aldenti which does not work for this type of vegetable the portion of halibut was tiny for the price being g charged .Should have sent the dish back & asked for it to be detected without bothering to reorder as it would have been too disruptive for the rest of the party. This is really one of the worst pub foods on offer in this part of Essex a total rip off for tge money being asked for badly cooked food .

The atmosphere was wonderful and very Christmassy. The staff were extremely friendly but also courteous. We have been before on a few occasions and have never been disappointed with anything. I cannot praise you enough. Thank you.

We will definitely go back in the new year.

We recently had a group Xmas meal at the Windmill. The food and its presentation was excellent. Great atmosphere and delightful staff make this one of our favourite places to eat. Thank you to all the staff and management for giving us such a good experience. We can thoroughly recommend the Windmill and shall be returning again soon.

Nice meal in pleasant surroundings with lovely staff.

A beautiful pub with log burner and comfortable chairs. I had fish and chips which was amazing and tasted fresh. Majority of meals are gluten free. Plenty of parking. Staff were lovely. Looking forward to to going again. I'd say fair pricing.

Always perfect service at the Old Windmill

VISIT DATE: SUN 24/10/2024 VISIT TIME: 12:30-14:00 Attended as part of a large group for a birthday celebration. Wasn't familiar with the place before, but was a bit worried that it might be too fancy for me based on the menu and prices, but was very pleased to find that the prices were justified as the food was to a very high standard and portions were not small. Being a Sunday, a lot of the party had roasts, which all looked amazing, whilst I opted for fish and chips and my daughter had a cheeseburger. My meal was great and the staff were really helpful when I realised I'd forgotten to ask for normal peas, rather than mushy peas. Lots of vegetarian options too, which also looked really tasty and they have a good range of drinks, including real ales. The building is delightful; full of nooks and crannies and lots of character, but, unfortunately, due to its age, it has a lot of uneven floors and steps which make it fairly inaccessible to those with mobility issues or wheelchair users. A bit more expensive than I'd usually pay, but I would definitely go again if I'm in the area as this is somewhere that you will definitely be getting your monies worth.

VISIT DATE: SUN 24/10/2024 VISIT TIME: 12:30-14:00 Attended as part of a large group for a birthday celebration. Wasn't familiar with the place before, but was a bit worried that it might be too fancy for me based on the menu and prices, but was very pleased to find that the prices were justified as the food was to a very high standard and portions were not small. Being a Sunday, a lot of the party had roasts, which all looked amazing, whilst I opted for fish and chips and my daughter had a cheeseburger. My meal was great and the staff were really helpful when I realised I'd forgotten to ask for normal peas, rather than mushy peas. Lots of vegetarian options too, which also looked really tasty and they have a good range of drinks, including real ales. The building is delightful; full of nooks and crannies and lots of character, but, unfortunately, due to its age, it has a lot of uneven floors and steps which make it fairly inaccessible to those with mobility issues or wheelchair users. A bit more expensive than I'd usually pay, but I would definitely go again if I'm in the area as this is somewhere that you will definitely be getting your monies worth.

Nice place good lunch time choice

Called in today on the off chance for lunch. Despite being very busy the staff provided first class friendly service. The food was excellent.

Sunday lunch was cooked lovely. Staff were very nice and atmosphere was very relaxed.

We went for lunch with some friends, food was exceptional as was the service. A lovely old pub with a lovely ambience. It was really busy so probably best to book.

Always a good meal and good service at The Old Windmill.

I haven't been to Hanningfield for years and The Old Windmill has certainly changed for the better. The food was always good but it was notoriously slow. There was a pub garden but it was just that, rather barren and sad. The garden has been planted and with numerous tables and seating undercover - a rather impressive canvas roof or out in the sun. It looks good. 2 mains. 2 drinks. 1 dessert. 1 coffee for £50. Pretty reasonable. I can recommend the steak burger, very tasty with a ton of chips. The service was friendly, fast and all were very attractive, almost as if it was company policy to employ exclusively attractive young women 🤔 Not that I'm complaining. Definitely impressed and will be returning soon.

A group of us took our dogs here after a walk. We sat in the beautiful garden for drinks. Staff were really friendly.

I recently dined again at The Old Windmill with a group of five, and it was a fantastic experience all around. We tried the roast lamb, fish and chips, and a burger, and each dish was excellent—fresh, flavorful, and cooked to perfection. Even though the restaurant was bustling, the service was spot on. Our food came out quickly, and the staff was friendly and attentive, making us feel well taken care of. The atmosphere was warm and inviting, ideal for a meal with friends. We spent just over £100, including drinks, which felt like good value considering the quality of food and service. A tip for future diners: it’s definitely better to reserve a table, as it’s a popular spot. All in all, everyone left happy, and I’d gladly recommend The Old Windmill for anyone seeking a great meal in a charming setting.

We where a very large party and the waiting staff could of not been more helpful and attentive the food was delicious and actually what we had ordered this made the whole afternoon go really well.Thank you.

What a lovely place! We are coming back there often! Food is very delicious and inside and outside pub is just super cosy! I really like this place! I couldn't be here without having crispy beef salad, complement to the chef !

First time here , excellent food and very quick service even though it was really busy on a Sunday lunchtime

Attentive staff, gorgeous Tippee in the grounds , dog friendly, great food well priced , would recommend to anyone

Nice location and staff but food is average

Had a lovely lunch with friends. Place was lovely with a warm friendly atmosphere. Food was very good. Had crispy squid, pancake wraps and Black Forest profiteroles. Will definitely be back again.

Great place good food, friendly staff and customers

Definitely need to book for Sunday lunch . We wanted to sit inside as we felt it was too cold in October to eat outside We ate at 5.20 and it was packed . We were near a large table which was unfortunately quite noisy so not quite as easy for my dad to be able to hear all the time Good menu we all had lamb which excellent and lots of tasty veg

Over priced I thought, I wouldn't rush back

Beautiful large old pub. We went for lunch good service but found the food to be very mediocre and processed nothing seemed to be home made. Felt we paid restaurant prices for standard pub grub. Will not eat there again but would happily go in for drinks, has a nice pub garden for the summer months.

Had a really lovely meal last night. Lovely atmosphere, staff were helpful and friendly, highly recommend.

We visited for Sunday lunch, Although it was bust the food an the service was brilliant and we didn't feel crowded. Highly recommended.

Had the pleasure of visiting this great pub again yesterday. The food is excellent and the staff are fantastic. I have a citrus allergy and despite it only being mild, the staff couldn't have been more keen to make sure I know which food contained it. First Class service as always!

Still the best Sunday Roast in Essex

**Review for The Old Windmill, near Hanningfield Reservoir:** I recently had the pleasure of dining at **The Old Windmill**, located near the beautiful Hanningfield Reservoir, and I must say it was an outstanding experience from start to finish! Despite the restaurant being quite busy, the service was **exceptionally quick** and attentive. The staff were friendly, efficient, and made sure we had everything we needed without delay. As for the food, it was simply **excellent**. Every dish we ordered was perfectly cooked, full of flavor, and arrived at our table in no time, which was impressive given how packed the place was. The quality and presentation of the food easily exceeded expectations. Whether you're a local or just passing through, I highly recommend stopping by The Old Windmill for a meal. It's a great spot for anyone looking for a wonderful dining experience in a charming setting. I will definitely be returning!

Lovely dog friendly pub with a gorgeous outdoor area and childrens playground. The food looked amazing but didn't tey it this time round. Will definitely be returning soon for dinner or lunch with the family. The perfect spot for any occasion, especially after a lovely dog walk. I've updated my review as we went back yesterday and attended the dog walk they do occasionally to raise money for dogs. Great cause and lovely to see so many people out walking their doggies. Well worth getting involved 👍 😉

The Sunday roast could have used a bit more flavor but the sticky toffee dessert fixed it all up! Perfect family cozy atmosphere, not too expensive not too cheap.

Great eating house been coming since1974 and coming on my birthday 22 September 2024 Thankyou

Food is tasty but not for the health conscious. Even the crispy beef salad was quite rich and glutenous. Although our waitress was friendly and attentive , we twice had to chase our drinks' orders and getting and paying for the bill was almost impossible ( strange, as the pub was pretty quiet at this point). We like the pub but disappointed on our last couple of visits.

Decidedly average on this occasion

Booked a table for 8 for a birthday celebration. The pub was extremely busy due to a car club meeting and the staff seemed rushed off their feet. When we sat at our table there was a small vase of flowers in the middle completely dead and dried up, not a good start, we quickly removed it to the windowsill. Some food was ok , some was very poor, the Goan chicken curry was very dry, overcooked with very little sauce. The crispy beef was also overcooked making it difficult to chew. Very long waits between courses due to being so busy.. Will not be returning anytime soon!

Great service & staff, very reasonable drinks prices and lovely atmosphere

Went for Sunday lunch,great pub , lovely garden,nice atmosphere very friendly staff .I like that you can sit in garden with dogs .

Amazing service and Great food,

Love this place, not eaten here yet. But love just popping in for a drink and chat with friends.

I ordered a pie and the crust was so hard I couldn't cut it.I complained and was offered another meal, but I refused because it would of meant eating on my own as the rest of my party already had their meals. I was given a 50% discount on my meal.

Become a regular venue to meet BFF with her beloved Connie - very dog friendly. We both had the Steak Sandwich - OMG! Divine! Chips perfect too! Highly recommend!

Beautiful food and great service again. Been many times and always get fantastic food. We are looking forward to the next time!

This is now our go to place for a good quality family lunch. The menu is always interesting with varied dishes regularly changing. It's not the cheapest place around but is still good value for money because they use the best quality ingredients. The beef salad is just fabulous! Highly recommended!

A great country pub. Good food and nearby walks.

Just price and menu choice let's it down

Food was good shame about hospitality service was shocking order at the bar fetch your own knifes n forks and condiments next question is how much did I spend does it matter

Good food and good value. The old place is beautiful. Could do with more staff

Booked for our 20th wedding anniversary. Disappointed with my steak dinner. At the price of £31, I expected better. Dinner wasn’t hot and steak was full of fat.

Lovely country pub. Attentive staff. Great good.

Really nice pub in a scenic location. Food is excellent, is dog friendly with free water and biscuits. Good parking and attentive staff

Good pub food, nice beer, prompt and friendly service.

Lovely pub what is very popular. Had a nice meal with family. Staff were attentive without being in your face. I would absolutely book if you want to eat here at the weekend.