The Three Compasses in Chelmsford

If you want to visit I suggest you find out when Rosie will not be there, she has trouble getting staff so that may be difficult. They don'y do food so ignore comments on food

No, food. Landlady opens when she feels like it, a little bit slightly rude. But drink provided, however no cider. Only ale, which I’m intolerant to so lemonade and lime then.

A perfect place to have a beer in a peaceful environment on a weekend, away from the daily grind, is this bar. Nature can be enjoyed very well from here.

Excellent pub, brilliant they have a big parking

A proper pub professionally run. But no food.

Been going there on Nd off .for the past 40 years .. and always a pleasure..

Visited this quaint old Pub, Rose the Landlady 90 years of age, tells me of her love of Aeroplanes from the past, above the fireplace proudly sits a picture of her late husband who was a WW2 Spitfire Pilot. The Three Compases is set opposite the tiny Village green, a bench wraps itself around the tree there, loverly relaxing pub of Essex.

Great little country pub with Ridleys Rite on handpump plus selection of lagers and other beverages. Cash and card payments accepted. Just updated opening hours...note on Sundays open lunchtime from midday until 15:30 but now closed evenings. Food served but did not try

Great pint always stop here for quick one

Popped in for an evening drink with the other half it was very quiet just to other gentleman the landlady Rosemary was lovely. We had a chat about the ghost. She has a house she’s nearly 90 years of age and still running this pub on her own. Can’t wait to come back and finish our chat about ghosts

A lovely quaint pub with a beautiful old fireplace , perfect if you want a quiet, relaxing drink in a lovely area

Not a welcoming pub at all !! Cold dreary interior,inexperienced barmaid,awfully pub

Lovely pub was there for a wake cant fault

A good traditional country pub. I'm never certain what it's opening times are, but it's always worth stopping and refuelling here if I see it's open and I have the time. It's very popular with cyclists and horse riders. There's a little green at the front where people often at if the terrace is full. It only looses a star because it's not always open when I fancy popping in!

Traditional pub. Great place for locals to meet and catch up

Got there early and waited for one hour until the published opening time. Still hadn't opened at 18.15 so we left. Disappointing.

I hate to say it but a bad experience. We arrived at 5.30 pm and were happy to wait until opening at 6. The assumed owner came out and tended to the lovely flowers out the front and we recieved a very grumpy welcome. We waited outside until 6.15, well after it should have opened but all the doors were stilled locked! They knew we were waiting outside and the windows were open, it would have been nice to have been told if it was another 10 mins but we were ignored and so we left.

Walked in and the barmaid was telling us we had to book just to have a drink. There were only 5 of us that wanted a drink. Very grumpy, unhappy,miserable person. Overcharged a few people deliberately for drinks, one person was charged £5 for soda/lime. When it was queried she shouted at that customer to "chuck it in the bin" What a miserable old cow!!!!!

A warm, welcoming and friendly place with tons of history

I just loved it here! We only stopped in after a dog walk to have a quick drink. The owner was lovely, kind, friendly and welcoming. Everything was so clean and homely. This pub is like a home from home pub, it's your old fashioned country pub. Just like stepping back 30 years, it was so quaint. Will be returning next time we are out that way and gone for our dog walk!

Good pub , very freindly, staff. Reasonable prices

Pleasantly situated on the edge of the village of West Hanningfield. Nice bar area and some outside seating. Toilets clean.

I visited this pub with a group and had heard of it's un hospitable welcome but wanted to thank my friend and buy her a drink. The prices were ridiculous- £5 for a pint of soda and lime from a plastic bottle not even the pump. I refused to pay saying it was a ridiculous price and another friend who clearly has more money than me stepped in and paid! The landlady was unwelcoming to say the least and clearly wasn't there to please the potential 40 or so people gathered on the green outside. My first and definitely last visit!

Possibly a contender for the rudest landlady ever and definitely the most expensive lime and soda -£5! I will definitely not be back ever.

Very attractive country pub. Good homecooked food.

I arrived yesterday afternoon via bicycle. Very unfriendly, not welcomed so I did not bother to stay. I will not be returning. I continued on to The Nags Head in Ramsden Heath. They could not have been more welcoming.

Just me and a friend of mine ordered lasagne chips and salad at £12.00, a can of coke cost £2.20 not hardly chilled, when we received the meal, the lasagne was quite thin and small, I did comment this to a young girl who worked there, which she told the land lady there, after a while the elderly land lady said what is the problem, I told her we paid £12.00 for this meal, and that the lasagne was small and quite thin,.no apologies from her, but her manner was quite rude, as if we were not supposed to complain, was not the greatest lasagne, we were glad to go, and will never return to that pub again, unless there is new management.

Very limited menu and certainly not the most welcoming atmosphere.

A pub as pubs should be. In a peaceful village, Good food and drink. Old fashioned but the way I like it and in fine weather plenty of tables outside to sit at to eat and drink.

Excellent food and service, could do with a few more pubs like this instead of the gastro pubs we have nowadays.

First time here yesterday. Made to feel welcome. Husband thought beer was excellent. Out walking St. Peters Way so this was a lunch stop,Pleased we found it .social distancing adhered too.Would go back.

Popped in for a couple of delicious beers. Ridley's proper ale. Lovely and not at London prices. Had sausage and onion sandwiches with a bowl of crispy chips to share. Delicious and inexpensive. The landlady, staff and the local people wenjoying a drink all very friendly and welcoming..

Friendly as usual, quick service (but there wasn't meany customers plus us cyclists making for about 12/15 if that) Cold and damp sitting outside (perishing covid 19)

Greeted by the landlady who seemed to have most of the menu on her trousers. Ordered food which turned up about 45 minutes later. Never seen a thinner lasagne ever,home made chicken and steak and ale pies filling seemed like tinned fillings. Very expensive all mains priced at about £12,50 not at all good value. After another wait for someone to appear we asked for a dessert menu and the landlady said quite rudely it's a bit late isn't it. It was 2.30pm on a Saturday!! We didn't bother having dessert, no wonder the place was empty.i couldn't recommend this pub at all, I dont think they could expect any repeat business

Excellent stay open just for our party

Nice small country pub, we popped in for some lunch, I had ham egg and chips. The food was good quality and arrived quickly even though the pub was very busy with other diners.

The staff was very helpful unfortunately the coffee for which they charged £3.00 tasted more like instant coffee.

A traditional village pub with good beer and food and friendly staff

Fantastic Sunday lunch. Definitely going back

Decent pint on draught, nice snack, mid range pricing.

Sandwiches are ok for our Sunday cyclists lunch stop, we don't need a big meal, the beers good as is the service. No complaints.

Food reasonable, and very homely, but expensive compared to other places in the vicinity that offer a much better menu & with a more hospitable atmosphere. I think it caters more for the locals/regulars within walking distance.

Lovely little old school country pub

The food was very nice, but it was around 15 pound a meal. The staff were wery nice and at the time we were the only ones in there. So not very busy at all.

Quaint old fashioned pub with reasonable priced food and friendly staff.

I have visited this establishment at least 50 times in the last 10 years. Often with walking groups. This time, Sunday 26 May 2019, I visited with a walking group of 7. After our meal, the inn keeper was extremely unfriendly, wrongly accusing me of being rude to her and her staff. (Slander?) As such, when leading walking groups - as I often do - or visiting solo, I shall, regrettably, have to walk straight past this establishment, advising participants in the walking group I lead, to bring their own packed lunches. A most regrettable and unprovoked experience and one which neither my fellow walkers or I deserved.

We took part in a long distance charity horse ride and this pub was a fantastic stop! Fabulous reception for all riders and really appreciated their kindness of putting buckets of water out for the horses! We didn't eat but the food looked lovely, so we will be returning without the horses to enjoy the food! Thank you so much for the hospitality!

A old fashioned home cooking type of pub. The food was reasonably priced and nice but its no gastro pub. A good experience and i would go back.

A wonderful little old English pub, with friendly, welcoming staff. Traditionally decorated interior, bright and open exterior and situated at the perfect place for a pit stop half way round Hanningfield Reservoir. Including guest ales and a modern menu (that's child friendly too). It's the perfect quaint pub

Good friendly pub real home cooked food. Not a chain pub.

Stopped here on the way home from a long journey to get some food as we decided to take a more scenic route home. A very historical pub with interesting history behind it. However, apart from the historical sense, not much else to write home about, except the staff were friendly enough and quite welcoming. The food we had was nice and served hot, however the menu here is limited and unimaginative. Everything comes with chips and peas. Two main course vegetarian choices and nothing vegan at all. If you have vegetarians or vegans in your party , go elsewhere. Meat dishes were mainly old fashioned along the lines of pie and chips .As this is a small pub I'm guessing the limited menu is probably down to small kitchen space . We just wanted some nice hot food after a long drive and it served its purpose, but not somewhere I would plan to visit in advance or would plan to visit again.

From the moment that you walk in it is like stepping back in time...a lovely pub, a great pint, and good food to just add to it. You can trace the building and owners back hundreds of years, which is amazing. Despite obviously being from out of town, the owner treated us kindly, the staff did a great job and we were very happy to have come. Missed out on the Sunday brunch...which tells you, when the locals come and eat it all it must be good...so arrive a bit early...the lamb looked incredible.

Third attempt to visit as it closes between 3 and 6

Historic and homely pub. Small yet cosy and full of character. Fast and friendly service at reasonable prices, my first visit here but it won't be my last!

Love the warm friendly atmosphere, Rose is amazing always has a smile and time for a chat, plus her lovely staff and regulars, not forgetting the dogs xx

Lovely old pub in the countryside with traditional home cooked food. Quite small inside but cosy. In the summer very popular and nice suntrap to sit in.

A lovely pub just as a pub should be

A very traditional country pub. Lovely Sunday roast, followed by crumble and custard. Perfect walkers stop

Late arriving for Lunch but very accomadating made us lovely fresh sandwiches & salad. Recommend!

Homemade steak pie with extra gravy + beer. What more do you need. Simple.

Pub very clean and the staff very pleasant and helpful. Not many other guests but we had a nice quiet lunch albeit cut a little short as they close at 14:30; understandable with the amount of customers. The food arrived in good time and was piping hot and very tasty. This is a traditional pub with low beams and open fire - fantastic! The only downside is that the menu is a little limited.

Nice food served in a friendly atmosphere

By accident my bus journey brought me and pooch almost to the pub door. Trouble was I had no idea how to get home! After an hour's off lead walk, we called in a second time and the ladies were very helpful regarding telling me when and where to catch a return bus home. Many thanks! It would have taken the rest of the day to walk!

There aren't many unspoiled country pubs to the SE of the A12 so The Three Compasses is a real find. A traditional pub serving real ales and good quality equally traditional food is a welcome change from a rash of second rate gastro pubs and - at the other extreme - failing pubs that appear to have given up. On this occasion we weren't up for a full lunch and had toasted sandwiches served with salad and coleslaw - they could have been better. On other occasions we have sampled the limited but varied menu and found something vegetarian. Service has always been friendly and efficient. Rose, the landlady, is invariably friendly and welcoming. There is no doubt though that you are a guest in her home and that can't but be a good thing.

Nice to find a real traditional pub that you can take your dog into.

Nice location, dog friendly, peaceful location, quiet pub inside, good seating outside and easy parking, very clean. As regards the food the choice was limited but what we ordered was well presented and reasonable value. be nice if they had a few more option like a pie, curry/chilli etc. Roast dinner didnt look brilliant so passed on that.

Hello We had a very nice evening the staff were very attentive and polite.The pub gave a very friendly atmosphere

Only stopped for a quick pint on a sunny afternoon so can only give 3 stars! Nice little country pub. Was made to feel welcome by the lady who served me my pint accompanied with a nice chat. I sat just outside the pubs font door which was lovely but there is a lovely pub garden patio to the side.

Really nice pub with good atmosphere and staff

The pub itself and the location is quite nice, hence why my girlfriend, her brother and I decided to pull in for lunch on our motorcycles. It was on a Saturday at around 3pm. As soon as I walked in to get drinks and look at the menu for some lunch the land lady told us she was closing for lunch... At 3pm on a Saturday! We did not feel welcome at all, maybe she doesn't like bikers but we are hardly the hells angels. The land lady went on to tell me that we should go to stock as there are lots of pubs there and they need the money and she doesn't. We actually ended up going to another, more friendly pub up the road called the old windmill which was really lovely.

Great place..with friendly service Great place for a Meal in a country pub

Two bars and a log fire. Terrific. The staff had saved a table for my dad who has mobility problems. We were by the lovely old fire which kept us warm despite the wind coming in when the door opened. It would be nice to see a few more beers but the food was well priced and very good and arrived quickly. Only one observation - please serve hot food on hot plates, not cold, thank you.

Nice atmosphere, quiet and friendly. Delicious home cooked food. Good portions.

We visited this pub for Saturday lunch and found the owner, Rose, to be a pleasant, welcoming and informative lady. The local beers were good and she obviously makes time and effort for local and visiting custom. The menu was typical pub food and was freshly cooked and served hot. No complaints at all! How refreshing to find this gem of a pub! Not a chain, no sky tv, no games room just relaxed pleasant hospitality.

A wonderful village pub, totally traditional in decor, style and welcome. The landlady is the chef/bar-person and does a wonderful job. Food is home cooked and tasty, a wide menu available. Beautiful garden with a few tables and beautiful hanging baskets too. Dog friendly too.

A great old English pub, with loads of history, often stop here when out on push bike for a pint of Thatchers

We had an enjoyable evening having drinks with friends the landlady was also friendly and polite

Ordered beef lasagne when we began eating we all discovered that all portions were virtually meat free! They contained some slcied mushroom and diced pepper, lots of pasta and no more than 2 teaspoons worth of mince. After quietly complainng the landlady agreed and said she would tell the chef - my friend who hadn't eaten hers asked if there would be a refund the landlady replied. "Well what do you want?" she then plonked the money down she walked away (infornt of 2 other customers) said " If you are so desperate for money" - we were completely shocked at her utter rudeness and lack of customer care. My friend said how rude she had been and the landlady replied "You are rude" - we will never return and had a lovely walk spoilt by visitng this pub - Rose is clearly past caring about customers or providing good quality food. Just apalling behaviour and terrible lasagne.

Lovely in the summer. 1970s nostalgia.

Tried this country pub for a different experience. The lunchtime we visited it seemed quiet, but we had a good time. The pub is a typical country pub, but not a chain. The food was great pub food. I had a cheese and pickle sandwich and my friend had a sausage sandwich - we shared the chips. The food was cooked well and presented well. A nice out of the way place for a change

Fantastic food ,excelent for dogs

Lovely food, really nice and friendly staff

Popped in here for lunch while passing Great lunch at a good price, good beer and very helpful and friendly staff. Will be back

Bit 1970s in pub style but the home cooked food is great and reasonable priced.

Lovely old English pub (NOT a chain) in a nice location. Good quality food especially the veg with excellent service. Nice desserts & dog-friendly too !

From the outside it looks like the classic country pub you'd expect in a small village. Inside confirms that...We visited for lunch with our dogs. Not many places in Essex allow dogs to be present where there's food, so that was really good. Our 3 dogs also seemed to be the entertainment for the other patrons, who all seemed to know each other, so I'm guessing a local crowd.The pub menu said that everything was home cooked. I've understood that as they have a kitchen? Is this therefore someone's home? But I digress.Our meals were good and hearty, I had the pie and chips. Talk about a classic. The meals were a little pricey but I guess a pub in the middle of no where needs to make a profit. We enjoyed our meals so it was value for money. The place is a lot of small rooms but that's standard for pubs built that many years ago.The issue is it really needs a make over, paint something maybe and please give the toilets a do over but yes I'd visit again

Really enjoyable pint here but only a choice of two beers on hand pump. Would have liked to have a choice of three but still excellent. Seating outside for when we do get a British summer and a good choice of other drinks. Worth a visit, especially on a warm/sunny day.

First visit last week and can't say we were impressed. The ham, egg and chips was fine, ham was quite tasty but the chicken fillet certainly was not a fillet, more like large flattened reformed chicken nugget - not nice considering the cost of it and the fact it clearly was not chicken fillet!! Will not return.

I didn't think pubs existed anymore serving home cooked food. I had the lamb roast whilst my husband had the beef with a traditional apple and pear crumble with custard for desert. Absolutely lovely we will definitely be returning

The Three Compasses is always a pleasure to go to. You always feel welcome and the food it great!