The Restaurant at Pontlands Park in Chelmsford

Amazing afternoon tea. A real treat with fantastic service aswell. I loved that you get given to start with rolls and we were given fritters but it could be sauasage rolls (we were told they there would be sausage rolls) the fritters were nice, a bit different. Then afterwards you get served by silver service to choose your sandwiches. Lots of choice to choose from, 6 different filling. Then you get the stand with the scones and deserts. All delicious. They provided boxes to take away the ones you can't eat because your full. There is a list of different teas with a large variety including lemon and ginger. I highly recommend this afternoon tea. I was also spoilt by the chef with writing Happy 50th Birthday in chocolate on a plate, that was a nice touch, thank you Pontlands.

Attended one of their Christmas party nights (16th Dec’23) with an our Classic Cargroup of 40+ . The food and service were excellent and everyone had a very enjoyable evening.

I am not known for refraining from criticizing where I have found service or meal to be disappointing and have been known to send all three courses back to the kitchen and then dress down the executive chef and maître’d. I have yet to be disappointed with the staff, the menu or the quality of the food served at Pontlands. If I have one complaint is that the servings, for me, can be a bit too generous.

This was our third visit for Sunday lunch since the restaurant changed from a carvery service. As ever the food was excellent, the menu offering a wide range of selections including a vegetarian choice, and the portions very generous. The general ambience at Pontlands Park is very impressive, the staff are friendly whilst extremely professional. Overall a most enjoyable dining experience.

We recently stayed at Pontlands Park Hotel and had the most beautiful dinner in the restaurant in the evening. I had the Pontlands homemade pie which happened to be chicken, mushroom and leek which was delicious, and my partner had the Pontlands beef burger and hasn't stopped talking about it since. Incredible food. The setting was beautiful and the service was second to none. I did not catch the name of the waiter, but he was the one with the awesome tattoos! We will be returning very soon.

The Marconi Veterans’ Association has now used the marquee at Pontlands Park for its annual reunion for the past two years. It has worked well with easy parking, good service, and its own bar facilities. The Association will be using Pontlands for its next reunion in 2023.

Easy parking, beautiful surrounding and attentive staff.e wr there for a light lunch, good menu -somthing for every one. The facility is much bigger than it looks.The setting is perfect for photo oppertunities and also for wedding functions.

The Sunday lunch at Pontlands Park is unbeatable hand On my hart. Its amazing .The service second to none it's a must to try.

I do not think there is anywhere else to eat within walking distance of the hotel, so the restaurant may well be where you find your are eating while staying there. Rather like the hotel it punches above the 3 star rating of the accommodation. With a high ceiling, set in the older part of the hotel the room looks good. The menu is fairly short and sticks to favourites, so there should be something for most diners. The prices are at a level that may raise eyebrows and expectations a little. We had amongst other dishes, the crab cakes and skate and the chicken and burger. The first two were very good indeed with the burger a little underwhelming and the chicken somewhere in between. Overall a pleasant surprise and somewhere that this fussy diner would be happy to return to.

having had sunday lunch 3rd Oct, i felt compelled to review our experience while fresh in the mind. In a word, faultless. From front of house to wait staff and first class food. My medium rare beef was as good a sunday roast i have had, and i have had a few. Wifes pork just as good. Tables are well spaced and although our table was a little tucked away, that would be nit picking. Overall a top class experience.

Husband took me out yesterday on Bank Holiday Monday, to this lovely little country house hotel in Great Baddow, on the outskirts of Chelmsford. The hotel itself appears to comprise of an old house with a number of new additions. There’s an independent swimming club, open to hotel guests comprising of both indoor, and outdoor pools, a restaurant, a conservatory/bar where we took tea, a restaurant, and 35 bedrooms. Parking is easy, especially if you are disabled, and in a wheelchair like me, as there are quite a number of specially marked off spaces. The main part of the hotel is accessed via 2 small steps, (though there is a portable ramp too, apparently). My clever husband ascertained that one could enter the hotel in the wheelchair via the conservatory area, and this obviated the need to climb any steps at all. We announced our presence in the conservatory area to the charming waitress on duty, who we later learned was called Stef. She couldn’t have made us more welcome, and explained the afternoon tea fully, enquiring if we had any dietary needs. Full tea is a very fair £19.50, and it comes prettily arranged on a silver tea stand, with a choice of teas which arrive in pretty individual china tea pots. My husband opted for English Breakfast, whereas I fancied Earl Grey. Hubby was quite thirsty, and Stef asked if he wanted another pot, which she brought speedily, and at no extra charge. Tea comprised of 4 generous finger sandwiches each. These were smoked salmon and cream cheese, egg and cress mayonnaise, grated cheese and pickle, and ham sandwiches. I initially enquired if we could order extra sandwiches at our own cost, (at this price, one wouldn’t expect a free sandwich top up!), and we were told this wouldn’t present any problem. As it so happened, the sandwiches were fresh and so well filled, we didn’t require any more. Of course there were also 2 freshly baked scones each, one plain, and one with fruit, butter, clotted cream, strawberry jam from Tiptree, and the top layer of the tea stand held an assortment of delicious mini cakes and macarons, expertly prepared by the Pontlands Park in house patisserie team. My favourites were the delicately spiced, perfectly moist mini carrot cakes, and the apple macarons. My husband preferred the mixed berry cakes, however. Stef kept popping over to check we were happy, and insisted we pack our leftovers in a takeaway container, as when we called for the bill, it was evident we’d been defeated by the contents of their tea stand. We will most definitely return, and, the sooner the better. It’s not the poshest afternoon tea I’ve ever had, however it was very fairly priced, freshly prepared, and of excellent quality. And, as for service, the lovely Stef couldn’t possibly have done more for us.

We've had Sunday lunch here before lockdown and it was excellent. Unfortunately that wasn't the case this time. We both like roast beef rare (which to me means pink), so we always check with the waiting staff in advance. "Yes the beef is rare" Well it wasn't, it wasn't even medium, it was well done to say the least. I understand restaurants cook a joint of beef, so it may not be possible to produce rare beef, but if that is the case here why promise something and not deliver. (Additionally many restaurants do manage to cook beef pink/rare, so what is the mystery to a professional chef ?). Pontlands is owned/run by the same people as the nearby Bartellas. Bartellas is much better.

Had a fantastic meal tonight at Pontlands Park. We took 4 Friends here for my Wife’s Birthday. All fresco dinning was great. Service was excellent and food so fantastic. We haven’t been here for a long time It is a place that is forgotten about. But We highly recommend it. All our friends thought it was great and would come again. The Staff were attentive and helpful. If you haven’t been you need to check it out. We will be back for sure. Well done to Pontlands in these difficult times.

Nice warm welcome from waiting staff. All COVID regs adhered to. Seating outside in covered (glass gazebo) area. Tables nicely spaced out. Offered drinks and menus straight away. Offered fresh bread snd butter, delicious. Starters followed I had smoked salmon on crushed avocado very nicely presented and again delicious. All four of us had roast rib of beef with all the trimmings including cauliflower cheese. The meal was first class one if the best Sunday roasts I eaten out. Desserts again delicious and nice menu. Definitely return.

Just a note offering our most sincere thanks for providing the Christmas hamper as the alternative to Christmas Day lunch for the Edwards family to enjoy. It was exceptional!!! All the effort from Pontlands has been greatly appreciated and certainly contributed to giving us a most wonderful Christmas Day. Thank you!! We know with the Tier 4 rules currently in place we are unable to visit Pontlands but as soon as those rules change we will be back to enjoy the excellent hospitality we have always received.

I have been here twice since lockdown restrictions have eased - for lunch and dinner. Great social distancing measures. The food is tasty, the staff are attentive and the ambience is welcoming. Definitely will be going back when lockdown 2.0 is over!

The food was top notch from appetizers to dessert. The wine list is extensive, which you would expect of what is mainly, a large venue country house. Staff were very professional although COVID and social distancing may have had an impact on the few number of staff serving three separate dining areas. Pricey.

Taking advantage of the Eat Out scheme, we decided to treat ourselves to a meal in the restaurant. We have eaten here before, for Christmas Dinner, and our latest visit was yet again 5*. The food was lovely, staff attentive and the atmosphere welcoming. If anything my portion was just a bit too large - the fish pie was beautiful and I couldn't manage dessert! It is a treat to be able to visit here and we will definitely return again. Thank you for a lovely meal and a lovely evening.

Saturday night out for two couples - lovely ambience and decor, probably a little quiet because of COVID but all measures were perfectly observed and care taken to ensure least fuss.Food was very tasty and beautifully presented - service was excellent, attentive but not obtrusive and a great night out was enjoyed by all!! Recommended for a special event or for that little bit of self indulgence - definitely worth a visit and we’ll return.

Three of us had a Sunday Carvery starting with a very good selection of fresh cold dishes which looked and tasted amazing. The carvery had a choice of beef, pork and turkey and a well stocked selection of tasty veg dishes (wonderful cauliflower cheese) plus a large yorkshire pudding.Couldn't resist the desserts which were a lovely way to finish our meal.The staff were very attentive and couldn't do enough for us - well done.

Both service and meal were great a real treat and made my birthday special. I would like to say a big thank you

We've eaten here a couple of times, always in the evening (see my review of 13 June 2017).Put simply, Sunday lunch was excellent.Very nice “buffet” starter, with lots of choice, then a carvery with beef, lamb, chicken, plus vegetarian option, and tons of nicely cooked vegetables. Home made sweets on offer.Sensible prices. Friendly/helpful staff.We'll be back before long !

We had an excellent lunch with friends at Pontlands Park Hotel using a Travelzoo voucher. The voucher was for a two course meal with a glass of wine. We were able to choose from the regular wide ranging menu. The staff were very efficient and welcoming, pity the bar doesn`t serve draught bitter.

Having purchased a travelzoo voucher for lunch in September which we really enjoyed, my husband booked a Sunday Carvery for my birthday in October (reviews being very good) with our family (5 adults & 2 children). When going for our starters there was no prawns or smoked salmon left and I had to search for someone to replenish these dishes. We all had roast beef which were 2 very thin slices which broke up on the plate and quite fatty. The Yorkshire pudding was completely flat (looked like the wrong flour was used) like a pancake. We did have issues with the slowness of the veg coming out and was told 'I only have one pair of hands'. When we went to tuck into our meal it was just warm. I know we should have said something at the time but as it was a birthday treat we didn't want to make a fuss in front of our family. What a shame the meal let the day down.

Having dined in the marquee on a few occasions, I received an offer online for a meal for 2 and decided to take the wife for dinner. Our arrival was acknowledged with the “oh yes, you have purchased a discount voucher” How discreet is that? It didn’t end there, the waiter arrives at the table and asks for the code! Thankfully I was with the missus who hadn’t a clue what was happening but had that been a young couple on a romantic night, it would have been uncomfortable, even embarrassing. I’ve been married longer than a murder sentence so could laugh it off! The food and service was really good but the place had zero atmosphere so it was an evening cut short. I think this us a place that caters more for weddings and hotel rooms with no wow factor.

Didn't even know this existed, but got a Travelzoo voucher for £38 for a 2 course lunch including a glass of wine. Meal was starter and main, bit disappointed they couldn't swap the starter for dessert, but made the best of it and have a started, which, I must say, was lovely. Main course excellent, I had the fillet steak (£5 more but well worth it) and my wife had the fish pie- also delicious. Service was excellent and we enjoyed the experience. Recommended.

After previous visits to this restaurant, I decided to book for a Sunday Lunch celebration for my Son's Birthday.Oh dear - they had booked us in for afternoon tea only!So,they demonstrated beautifully how to correct their booking mistake by finding us a great table courteously and efficiently and we enjoyed an excellent lunch with great service.That's how it should be done - thank you to the great staff there!

We had a Travelzoo voucher for this and had a tasty 2 course meal. The only niggle is that our voucher included a glass of wine each which neither of us wanted - the soft drink we had was not able to be swapped in place of the wine.. not sure why really as it was surely cheaper than two glasses of wine?! Other than that, no complaints. Restful and a true treat.

Having taken our Spanish visitors for an English tea experience we were not impressed when the first words spoken wee that there was no ham sandwiches left and that there was only four egg and 4 salmon sandwiches (there were six people at the table) the remaining sandwiches were either cheese and pickle or cheese and cucumber not a good selection. The cake selection was only average.

I was staying at the hotel and opted to eat in the restaurant rather than going out as I would normally and was very pleasantly surprised.The service was good; the staff were friendly and attentive without being obtrusive and the food was good. Not only do they have vegan dishes on the menu but there are choices. My food was fresh, interesting and well cooked. Recommended if you're in the area.

We were part of a group of 15 and had a separate room. The food was excellent, well priced and could not fault. Highly recommend as a perfect place for a Sunday lunch.

I was staying here, but I don't normally eat at hotels I stay at, however I fancied fish n chips which was on the menu..

Took my Sunday + Group out for Sunday lunch there were 7 of us. We all agreed that this was one of the best lunches we had out for a long time. The carvery was excellent, such a wonderful selection of vegetables and all so fresh. Moving on to the desserts well they were just to die for. We had wonderful waiter/waitresses nothing was too much trouble for them. Would strongly recommend.

I had two visits to Pontlands this week, one for a confèrence and the other for a client lunch. There was no difference in the quality of the service or the catering. Compliments to the chef and the staff. Management have got it right. This hotel/restaurant never disappoints.

Visited Pontlands Park this evening for a two course evening meal treat. On arrival we were led into a lovely decorated room. We had a glass of Prosecco each while we perused the midweek menu. I chose mussels to start and local chicken liver for my main. Hubby chose a flatbread starter with veg and hummus, and ribeye steak for main. The service was impeccable, and could not be faulted. Just the right amount of time between courses and you never felt rushed. The food was beautiful and perfectly cooked, always tricky with steak and liver. We both like our meat cooked so it’s not pink, and I don’t like my bacon crispy. Everything was perfect. In fact the portions were too large for me, so I couldn’t eat all my mine. Would we return- in a shot. One of the nicest places I’ve been in a while.

Visited this hotel for afternoon tea with some friends the food was quite nice not the best afternoon tea I've ever had but reasonably good the thing that lets it down is the service we had to get up to go and find the waitress at least three times to ask for some milk to go with the tea or to have the tea topped up normally waiting staff come and check if everything is ok and if you need anything else the bill came to £100 for 5 which is not bad only worked out around £20 a head £9 of that was service charge which although we paid I dont t really feel we had, I'm not sure I would go back again .

Tea for two and scones with jam and cream. The food is very good. Staff friendly and welcoming and knowledgeable.

Went to the spa then in the restaurant for lunch. Food was very nice and the service was superb, great location as it’s off the beaten track.

We came here for our staff Christmas do and had a fabulous time. Lovely glass of fizz on entry, helpful and fun staff. The meal was excellent...great menu choices and it was all delicious. Nice to see something a bit different on a Christmas menu, alongside the traditional turkey of course. Wine was included in the price which meant no sorting out the bill at the end of the night. Disco was great fun too! We all (aged from early 20s to mid 60s) had a great time. The perfect start to Christmas! Thanks to all involved.

Good service, delicious food. A small menu but something for all tastes and well executed. We ate in the bar area but there is also a restaurant. The waiter was friendly and made good recommendations. We had the nori rolls, followed by fish and chips and hake on a bed of sweet potato and red lentil dhal both of which were fabulous.

We arranged to meet friends for lunch here, it being about halfway between our homes. The criteria were good food and service, but we also wanted a comfortable environment where we could relax and catch up. Pontlands Park came up trumps in every respect. The service was charming and good humoured, the food delicious and the environment perfect. My friend's calve's liver was perfectly cooked and my wife raved about her dish of hake with spicy lentils. My fish and chips was just right too. Home-made desserts and good coffee rounded things off nicely. We didn't want to leave!

We had dinner here on two occasions and each time the food was excellent. Clearly the kitchen crew know what they are doing with both preparation, cooking and presentation. Recommended.

My partner and I had a lovely lunch at the restaurant on her birthday. We shared a fish board starter which was superb. She had the home made pasta main and I had the lamb which melted in the mouth, We thoroughly enjoyed the food, wine, sitting outside in the sunshine and the friendly attentive staff. Will be back.

I brought my friend here for afternoon tea having been told how good it was, sadly it didn’t live up to my expectations. First I asked what the sandwich selection for the day was expecting to be able to choose as detailed on the menu online but the waitress just brought a tray of mixed sandwiches up saying the chef thought it best to serve a selection. Unfortunately I didn’t like most of them so the waitress brought up a couple more of the ones I’d said I did like but these had remnants of other fillings on them - the tuna had a scraping of mustard on the outside of the sandwich and the egg mayo had cheese and pickle on it! The scones were ok but didn’t seem as fresh as they should’ve been and the lemon drizzle cake was actually stale. I did bring this to the waitresses attention! The service was very slow and not particularly attentive until almost the end of the meal when it seemed a change of staff had taken place.

Met here for a business lunch and enjoyed a very good 2 course offering. The main course was interesting and varied and well cooked and followed by a light, tasty dessert. Set just off the A12 and on the outskirts of Chelmsford this is also a convenient location.

We booked up for mother's day and were seated in a room with around 10 separate table settings for the afternoon. It is essentially a carvery as well as offering a fish and vegetarian dish on the day. Starters was a buffet style affair where one of the waiting staff would advise you when it was ok to go through. My wife was happy with the buffet style options and tucked in. Our young boy was having a Mother's day strop and only wanted ice cream!! I did not have any starters. The Waiting staff then advised when we could go through to the carvery to get our meals. My wife is not a fan of carvery food so she opted for the Salmon en croute for her main, whilst I went for the carvery. On offer was Turkey or Beef which was carved for you and then you were handed the plate to help yourself to the vegetables etc....

I have stayed here a number of times and the food is always good quality fast and with great service. I have the duck which I particularly recommend and the creme brûlée.

I had an excellent evening meal. The flavours were delicious and well judged. Service was good and prompt. An all round good experience.

I enjoyed afternoon tea with friends this weekend. The sandwiches and cake were really tasty.

What an amazing Carvery experience. One of our party is completely dairy intolerant yet the chef could not have been more helpful! He explained everything that was dairy free on the Carvery, made fresh gravy and then suggested some vegan friendly desserts off the menu! The chocolate vegan cake and home made coconut Malibu ice cream was sensational as an option! Thank you so much for a lovely afternoon.

Good food and good service; would have liked more choice of potatoes (mash or thin or fat chips only on menu).

Went to Pontlands Park for Xmas Day Lunch , & I must say the food & atmosphere was fantastic , the staff are well trained & it shows .nothing was too much trouble, real value for money

9 of us went to Pontlands park last night for our girls Christmas party and it was fantastic. The venue is beautiful and felt so christmasy due to the lovely decorations and roaring fire in parts of the hotel. The staff and manager were fabulous so welcoming, nothing was too much trouble and service was excellent as was the beautiful food. £50 for a glass of prosecco and canapes on arrival, 3 course lovely meal with coffee, mints and half a bottle of wine pp, then onto the dancing with a terrific DJ who encourages everyone to join not difficult with the party music he plays. All in all a wonderful evening, I wish I was doing it all again tonight!!!! I am sure everyone who goes will have the best time, all the other guests were so friendly as well it made for a smashing night. Thank you all at Pontlands you gave us a brilliant time.

Booked Afternoon tea here. When I made the booking I informed them that one of our party was a vegetarian and they also didn't eat fish. Image to my surprise when they brought out the platter of sandwiches and I informed them that my daughter was vegetarian, the waitress said to me, that's alright, I have some vegetarian sandwiches on this platter. So not only was she going to serve my daughter sandwiches that had been next to meat and fish ones, she was going to use the same pair of tongs to serve them. My daughter asked to have some vegetarian sandwiches on a separate platter, which were eventually delivered to her.

Attended a function here. Plenty of parking, food very good, room very well laid out and helpful staff.

We visited on a Thursday and the restaurant was very quiet. We had a pleasant pre-dinner drink in the lounge before going through to the dinning room. The rooms are impressive if a tad conservative in décor but very comfortable.

King Edward VI Grammar School (KEGS) Parents' Association have had two fantastic school balls at this venue. The whole process of organising the event from booking to choosing menu options to setting up was made so easy because of the professional help provided by the events staff.

I stayed here for an overnight conference. Dinner was in a private room and it was delicious and beautifully presented. The staff were extremely helpful and accommodating.

My wife and I visited the restaurant tonight and both agreed that the evening was an overwhelming success. The food was excellent with good portion size and compared to other restaurants we have visited it offered exceptional value for money. I had the skate wing for my main course and was surprised at its size, mouthfuls of succulent fish, cooked so well. Service was very attentive.

Our fish & steak meals were very good, and made quite good value by using a voucher. Great attentive service, although a little more small talk would have been nice, but appreciate a little difficult as English not their 1st language.

Low key setting but a really tasty, pleasant breakfast buffet. I get to eat a lot of these on the road. This one had the usual staples but was a bit tastier, well cooked. Service was swift and coffee decent.

We stayed the night before a wedding so had a lovely meal, I had the steak and it was cooked to perfectionAlso the breakfast was fantastic very nice indeedI would recommend this hotel

Had a nice night out. Food was very good and restaurant was busy. Service was very good attentive but not too so. Presentation was good too. Nice night, we will do it again soon. Hope you have a good time too.

I had long told my friend of this wonderful place so when it was nearly her birthday I took her there as part of her present. It certainly didn't disappoint and she is still raving about it. Dave the chef is so good at gluten free and lactose that I can always relax there and just enjoy the food.

A couple of weeks ago we visited Bartellas in Margaretting, Chelmsford, using a Travelzoo offer (see my review of 1st June 17)Using a similar Travelzoo voucher we visited Pontlands Park Hotel restaurant. It's similarly excellent, and we soon discovered why, it's owned by the same people.Really all I can do is more or less repeat the other review :The food is excellent, good choice of items, well cooked, and with very friendly/efficient service. There is a very good, wide ranging menu. Good all around restaurant, and we'll go back.

Having had two brilliant experiences of afternoon tea at Pontlands Park we decided that this would be ideal for a small family group to celebrate my mum's 91st birthday .We went last Sunday afternoon. The hotel is in a lovely setting and it was a beautiful sunny day. There were nine of us and we were led into the dining room which was quite dark. The afternoon teas were very popular (Sunday of a bank holiday weekend) so it was quite noisy.Previously we had sat in the lounge bar for teas which is a much more attractive area - much lighter and stylishly decorated.On booking we had arranged to have afternoon tea for the nine of us. So there was some initial lconfusion with the waitress handing out menus then asking if any one wanted prosecco etc. To be fair the waitress tried hard to be helpful by then offering a huge range of teas.The table was well set out. On previous occasions the sandwiches had been placed on the table and you were able to just help yourself as you wanted to. The waiter appeared with a super plateau of six types of sandwiches and we were told we could have up to 4 sandwiches each. It then seemed that we were expected to take the sandwiches there and then.The idea of going for afternoon tea was so that my mum and my in-laws could help themselves to what they wanted to eat as and when. I asked the waiter if he could bring the sandwiches back round in a while. It certainly was a while! My sister asked at least twice. My mother gave up waiting and made a start on the scones.The rest of the tea went well. There was no problem with having extra tea to drink - it was brought out when requested. One other negative comment was that as a whole we weren't too keen on the selection of cakes. They were all very similiar chocolate/orange flavoured. As we hadn't eaten all the cakes and scones, the waitress offered us containers to put the remainder of the cakes in to take home.After the tea we had a walk in the beautiful gardens and took some photographs.

Absolutely gorgeous Was a present for my 50 th birthday had afternoon tea here last year but this time was even better Weather was lovely so sat outside , all the staff were lovely , friendly and attentive but not intrusive - thanks to all for a lovely relaxing and memorable afternoon , will definitely be back .

We booked here for a friend's special birthday, just the two of us, for afternoon tea. Whilst impressive on the outside inside this hotel's "tea" room was a bit on the small side. Tastefully decorated but just a tiny room which looked so much larger on the website.The food whilst tasty was a little dry. The scones were lovely though and the single creme brulee in a large ceramic spoon excelled! Drinks were a little overpriced, particularly the wine, but hotels do tend to do that. Nice touches were the little pot of jam and mustard on the side. Food was plentiful but there could have been more tea; we just had a very small pot each. We caught sight of the spa there which looked nice and the hotel itself has a great reputation for it's rooms. We just felt the afternoon tea lacked a little for an otherwise beautiful venue, although having said that, the cost per person was cheaper than some.I would return, just wouldn't bring a large party here as it would get very snug.

To Pontlands ParkJust wanted to say thank you for the lovely afternoon tea this afternoon and the service everyone provided it was a very pleasant event for my family for my Mums birthday treat as this is what she requested to do and your venue did not disappoint. Everyone commented on how nice the sandwiches and cakes were and the round table you provided.I will have no hesitation in recommending your venue to others.

We had a lovely Sunday Lunch at Pontland Park this Easter Sunday. Nothing is too much trouble for the staff. The attention is second to none and the food is superb. I have a gluten and lactose intolerance but it is sorted out with the minimum of fuss.Congratulations it is not our first visit and it certainly will not be out last.

Really lovely, well cooked and well presented food with great waiter service. We had breakfast there and evening meals and don't think we've had better.

Having planned a trip back to the uk to visit friends and family we booked a high tea at Pontlands park. The setting was lovely but the sandwiches were bland and tasteless and the cakes overly sweet and dry, the staff were curt and not very friendly. On paying at the end the guy serving barely spoke to me let alone ask if we enjoyed the high tea or thank me for the payment! MOST disappointing.

I took my teenage niece here for afternoon tea and was so pleased we chose here.The restaurant is relaxed with a nice choice of table and chair styles.Service was excellent and we had a lovely range of sandwiches, scone and desserts with ample jam and cream. Additional tea was provided at no extra cost. This was very affordable and well worth the money.

Food was amazing. Beautifully presented and tasted amazing. Surprisingly good value for money too. Highly recommend to anyone visiting the area.

This is a great place if you fancy something a bit more expensive, the staff are very attentive and polite. You can relax in the bar whilst looking at the menu. we had steak and chicken which were superb despite my steak was a little under done. the chips were superb but, not enough and make sure you order veg as our meals came with none, still very nice food. didnt have desert and wine can be ordered by the glass.

Very nice restuarant with a lovely ambience. The staff were so courteous and polite but best of all was the food which was absolutely delicious and couldn't be faulted in any way.

Dinner at Pontlands Park was extremely good, well presented and with great service. Particularly well looked after by Julian. Have not eaten here for some time but certainly a place we will soon return to.

We stayed at the hotel for 2 nights and had dinner in the hotel on the first evening. The food was nicely cooked and attractively presented.

Pontlands Park doesn't disappoint, couldn't have asked for a nicer place to enjoy afternoon tea. A lovely hotel in beautiful surroundings , very friendly and pleasant staff.Our waitresses and hotel receptionist Jo were welcoming and nothing was too much trouble.Highly recommend this charming place.

My husband and i dined here on Thursday evening. The food was very well presented, lovely and hot and the staff very attentive.Good menu choices. Lovely and warm and the service was very good. We definitely will be going back soon.

To celebrate my boyfriend's grandmother's birthday, his family took her for Sunday lunch at Pontlands Park. As we're vegans, my boyfriend and I weren't expecting to be able to eat a great deal on the menu, and would have been happy with just a bowl of soup and some bread. But everyone went above and beyond to find out what we could eat, and to make us alternatives if necessary. When we sat down, our waiter checked whether or not the complimentary bread rolls were vegan, and, having found out that they contained milk, returned with our own basket of warm olive focaccia, much to the envy of the rest of our table. They weren't sure if butter had been used in the soup starter, and offered to make us a new batch if we wished for soup. For the main course, while everyone else in our party helped themselves to the Sunday roast buffet, the chef prepared us a beautiful ratatouille, which looked and tasted incredible. Without even being asked to, the waiters brought us our own personal buffet selection of vegetable side dishes, because it had occurred to them that other customers might have used the same cutlery on meat and vegetable dishes in the main buffet. When the huge Sainsbury's cake which my boyfriend's mum had bought with us was brought out for dessert, two slices of delicious vegan chocolate cake came with it. And then, just when I thought my happiness was complete, the chef himself appeared with a jug of vegan chocolate sauce (and a glass of Prosecco for the birthday girl!). Apparently they were under-staffed in the kitchen on Sunday, and it was really busy in the restaurant, so for him to have gone to so much trouble without even being asked was incredibly touching. I often apologise for the extra work my dietary choices causes restaurant staff, but at Pontlands Park instead of being treated like a pain I was treated like a princess. In short, I have never felt so well looked after in a restaurant in my entire life.

Wanting to celebrate my mother's birthday locally to where she lived, I Googled and found Pontlands Park. Location.....tick. Next, would they be happy to cater for two vegans in the party of 7? They thanked us for the advance notification (one week) and said it wouldn't be a problem........second tick! The night before the booking I called up to see if it might be ok to bring a birthday cake for my mother and candles and for it to be presented to her after the carvery roast (she was not one of the Vegan preferences). Knowing that a number of restaurants will charge a plate charge for allowing this, I was delighted when they simply said it would not be any problem and they were looking forward to seeing us the next day.......third tick! We were warmly welcomed and shown to our reserved, large round, laid up table. With 7 people, a round table was so much nicer than a rectangular table and made talking with each other a lot easier. Fresh bread rolls made by the head chef (as we later found out) and dipping oils were nicely presented and not mean in the number put out. Special olive focaccia bread was given to the two vegans and after trying some I even joked about having vegan envy - it was absolutely delicious. A reasonably priced bottle of Chilean Sauvignon Blanc ordered and we chose from the Sunday lunch menu of a starter of potato and leek soup or from the buffet table which could also, if you chose, double up as a main course for an additional cost. The head chef, we were told, would be on hand at the buffet table to verify and explain which of the dishes were vegan. He was and proudly told us how he and his team were responsible for the home made bread and cheese straws that I had found on the buffet table, amongst many dishes to choose from and would enjoy, no matter what your dietary preferences. The Sunday roast was taken at a typical carvery table in the adjoining room to the restaurant. Three joints were offered and I was happy to have the lamb which they were trialing, although I could have had all three if I really had the appetite! Huge Yorkshire puddings, pigs in blankets, crispy roast potatoes, roast root vegetables and every other accompaniment you could possibly think of putting on a roast dinner plate - it was all there. Our two vegans were delighted with a specially made aubergine meal and an accompaniment of vegetables and roast potatoes that were delivered to our table with the assurance that not only were they vegan prepared but also that no meat utensils had come into contact with them. They remarked at how special they were being made to feel and not oddities, or worse - unwelcome, as some resaurants managed to make them feel. Tears nearly came though when my mother's chocolate cake was delivered with all the ceremony you could ask for - all the candles lit and staff leading the Happy Birthday song for her family to join in and finish. Also delivered were two beautifully presented plates of vegan chocolate cake and a raspberry coulis, so they were not left out of the chocolate celebrations. The icing on the cake though, or rather sauce on the cake, was when the chef came back out with a jug of vegan chocolate sauce to pour on their cake. He explained that they provide vegan afternoon teas, so he was quite versatile in providing different recipe choices. Although we live quite a distance from my parents, we do visit during the year and will certainly be back to the restaurant at the Pontlands Park Hotel to experience their amazing hospitality and food..........

Excellent food ,attentive waiters ,very enjoyable evening .Would definitely go back for dinner again

The chefs produce high quality, imaginative menus to 5* standard. I have never been disappointed and use the restaurant to entertain my clients and the hotel to accommodate them as I am confident that my clients will be well looked after.

I stayed here with a colleague because we were working in Essex that week and we were really surprised with how good the food was. We went there with no expectations and didn’t want to have to leave the hotel after checking in late so decided to eat in the restaurant. The food was delicious and very well presented, we even had breakfast in the morning and that was very well catered, a huge selection of foods to choose from. If we ever have to stay over in Essex again we will definitely stay here.

The worst part about having special dietary requirements or intolerance to certain things is that you always feel like you're being awkward, fussy or messing people around. I love having afternoon tea and sometimes the gluten free range just don't taste quite the same. They can often be dry or lacking in flavour. I have to say the scones, finger sandwiches and the mini cakes were absolutely outstanding. So was the service. The waitress and the waiter who served myself and my mum were fantastic and were more than happy to help with the requests and changes. No sighs, tutts or eye rolling at all and they even packed the remaining pastries we couldn't manage into a lovely little box so we could take them home. £15 each and this was by far the most enjoyable and delicious afternoon tea I've had in a long time. Perfect.

Highly recommend it. Very friendly service. Good food. Gave us extra sandwiches at no extra cost! Cakes were delicious. Manager showed us round the hotel despite not staying there, rooms looked amazing!

Visited Pontlands for a work ball. We were in a room adjacent to the restaurant. The room was a nice size with a dance floor; décor was modern, the room was ideal and the toilets were modern and clean. The staff were pleasant providing a good service. The 4 course meal was nice and tasty, with good portion sizes and a good selection, complimented nicely by the wine and table water. We had a very nice evening!

Have just returned from afternoon tea at the hotel celebrating my wife's birthday with some of our family. The staff were very welcoming and the service was excellent. Prices are quite reasonable and as our granddaughter hadn't eaten a great deal, gave us boxes to carry home the remaining cakes, etc.A very pleasing afternoon was had by all. We shall certainly be returning. I collect they also serve a Sunday Carvery so that gives us something else to try.

Took my grandma for afternoon tea at Pontlands Park one Saturday afternoon in August. We were seated in one of the side function rooms rather than the lounge which was fine, decor very tasteful and good atmosphere. Sadly, the service was very slow, staff paid more attention to the large hen party and seem to completely forget about any other paying customers in the room. All were very friendly though, but it took a good 15 minutes to even see someone to ask the bill from and we weren't asked if we'd like any more tea/coffee or champagne, which I would have paid for if given the opportunity! When cakes & sandwiches arrived, we weren't told what anything was, which is something I've come to expect from afternoon teas. They were placed so far around the large table that I had to walk round to fetch them as we couldn't have possibly have reached, seemed rather odd. Sandwiches were good, bread slightly stale and cakes all lovely however no chocolate option, mostly were macaroons and the other tables around us had more selection, I wonder perhaps if the kitchen had run out? We didn't have any offer, just booked their standard afternoon tea so would expect the same as others.All in all, quite disappointed as it came highly recommended. I think there are better places around sadly for an enjoyable afternoon tea.

A lovely selection for starters, everything was very fresh and tasty. The main, which is a carvery, was delicious. The beef was tender, the vegetables cooked perfectly and the roast potatoes were lovely too. There was also plenty of food available.The desserts appeared to be good but as I was already full, I didn't have one so it wouldn't be fair to comment.The only reason that I have graded it a 4 and not a 5 is because we were charged £6.50 for two desserts and they were actually £5 on the menu. As we checked the bill we were able to sort it out quickly with no fuss but others may not be so careful.....so it is worth checking.

I returned to Pontlands for business, expecting the usual high standards of food, service and surroundings. From the new menu, I opted for the steak, which was cooked to perfection. The staff were charming and attentive, without being intrusive. The manager enquired about my well being and checked that all was well during my meal. Very highly recommended for business or pleasure.

On arriving at this destination I was looking forward to a lovely afternoon tea with a friend for my birthday. How wrong could I have been !! The bread was stale for the sandwiches, the scones were warmed up from the day before and there was not much choice of the cakes/pastries. The staff were very nice and it's a shame the food let the whole thing down. I have emailed the hotel and had a response from the hotel manager when I complained and he did say that maybe the bread had not been covered properly and sometimes the scones were used from leftovers the day before and warmed through to enhance the flavour ! What a load of rubbish, excuses indeed and not what you expect for an afternoon tea. We have been offered a complimentary glass of prosecco when we visit again, however I've no wish the spend money again the get a free glass of cheap fizz !! Avoid at all costs

A big group of about 10 of us took my grandad out for afternoon tea. The prosecco was beautiful - would recommend to anyone - and relatively well priced. The afternoon tea came out and looked amazing, it was a lot more sweet heavy rather than savoury but I didn't care because I have a major sweet tooth. The only problem we had was with a waitress who couldn't understand what I was saying in regards to the tea. I can't drink caffeine so I asked for a decaf tea pot. Originally this was fine, but when I asked for another pot, I got given 3 different types of tea before the decaf tea. It didn't affect our afternoon though, and we throughly enjoyed it.

With a number of friends I had an excellent three course dinner in the Conservatory at Pontlands. Pre dinner drinks were taken in the comfortable bar area before we moved into dinner. All three courses were imaginative, well presented and delicious. Service was efficient and friendly. The cost was more than reasonable and I have no doubt that we will enjoy Pontlands again in the near future.

This is such a lovely place to eat. While you look at the menu over a drink, you are seated an a lovely light airy room on very comfortable chairs and sofas. When tou are ready to eat (there is no rush) you are taken to your table, ours was in the conservatory.We chose to have the buffet starter, the presentation was lovely and there was a really good variety of excellent food. Such a good choice of meats fish salad and unusual very tasty dishes. There are a number of good restaurants in Chelmsford but I do not think this place can be beaten for comfort, surroundings, service and a general feeling of relaxation and dare i say it `a cut above the rest` apart from the price which is i feel very reasonable. Parking is easy within the grounds. If you want to impress friends give Pontlands a try. we have had a wedding reception here, spent overnight on new years eve. (accomodation is splendid) and my son and his wife said the evening meals are worth a visit there. So thats my next stop!

Anybody who has read my other reviews will know that Afternoon Tea from Cape Town to Delhi, Sydney to Winchester and all stops in between is my little treat. It takes me back to my childhood days in the Turnberry Hotel.Pontlands Park is a very good value afternoon tea venue, however with a little fine tuning it could well be excellent. The sandwich selection was fine as were the scones, served with plenty of cream but overall the balance could be bettered by swapping a couple of the cakes and macaroons for something savoury, perhaps a small sausage roll and or a mini quiche.More importantly, it is best if the tea arrives at the same time as the food.The service was friendly and polite and the venue left nothing to be desired and as stated before this was very good value.On balance I might be nit picking but the experience was so close to being first class that it's a shame to miss out by a whisker.

Just back from a lovely afternoon tea to celebrate my Mum's 80th Birthday. Very friendly attentive staff. We were seated in a well presented lounge area with comfortable furniture. Food was well presented and a good assortment. A choice of salmon, egg and cress and ham sandwiches. Fresh fruit scones clotted cream and strawberry jam. A collection of sweet cakes and macaroons.As I got married here 19 years ago it was a trip down memory lane!Would highly recommend!

The quality of the food has much improved and I would say give it a try. There is both a snack menu to have sitting in the bar area or a menu to choose from for the restaurant. There is choice of fish, meat and vegetarian choices.The quality of the food is excellent. The cost of a main meal plus sweet is about £20.

The venue is stunning, very clean and a lovely location however when for friends 50th birthday there were 8 of us, I have been to many afternoon tea venues all over again the country but this has to be the smallest amount of sandwiches I've ever been given! 3 strips and a mini roll! There were a number of cakes 5 plus a scone but disappointed with the sandwiches! Also most places have a number of teas on offer all we were given was breakfast tea, no other tea was on offer which was also very disappointing. When paying the bill noticed there was a service charge when asked we were told as its a party of 8 we have to pay but your website states it's only payable if 10 or more wish we read this earlier as we would of leave a tip, instead of being told we have to pay a service charge for an afternoon tea with champagne and other drinks on top for an afternoon tea that was one of the dearest I've paid but not as good as others I've been to in the Essex area.Stunning venue but would not rush back for afternoon tea also not sure if the dance music that kept jumping goes with an afternoon tea theme!!!