The Victory Inn in Braintree

We are locals and frankly we’re delighted with the recent changes made to the pub. We went out with a group of friends for an evening meal, it was absolutely delicious. The staff are friendly, the drink is far superior to what used to be on offer. Highly recommend.

My congratulations to the new landlords on revitalising the Victory and saving another village pub from closure. The beers is excellent, the premises have benefitted from the complete refurbishment that has been undertaken and above all, the friendly staff make for a convivial atmosphere that has been missing for so long from the traditional village pub. We will certainly be back!

Probably the best roast pork I’ve had. Has been disappointing the last few years it’s a breath of fresh air. Modern and fresh

I got out walking with a friend every Thursday and have done for years. Consequently we know every good pub open on a Thursday lunchtime between our houses in Colchester and Saffron Walden and the Victory had never made it onto the the list of those we revisit. However, the Victory has changed and quite literally the slate is wiped clean as the place has been revamped throughout. The new owners have taken the pub in a new direction with a coffee shop, main pub area and brand spanking new pool table. There’s a short menu of pub classics and a couple of daily specials. We had the sausage and mash from the specials menu, which had a high quality sausage and plenty of everything. Perhaps the most important thing is the beer and our pints of Gorgeous George by the Mighty Oak Brewery was very well kept and overly tempting after our morning hike. It certainly made the afternoon fly by. It takes a while for a pub to re-establish a reputation but getting the basics right is the best foundation and the beer and food were excellent. Right up there with some of our favourite pubs. We will be back and so should you.

We visit this pub often, but was surprised today on visiting it looks something has vacuumed the personality out of this delightful old pub and turned it into some grey waiting room for God, it was like sitting in a wind tunnel. The man behind the bar was cheerless and did not saying anything to us on arrival. The waitress was a little more pleasant. The lunch time menu leaves a lot to be desired basically we had 3 tasteless baguette with over cooked fries one drink each £50 was the bill. No atmosphere no customers bankrupts will follow soon. We used to visit 24 times a year spend on average £120 per visit, but that won’t happen for the foreseeable future. Please don’t be fooled as the their website uses pictures of the pub before killing of the personality.

As a local went to the pub for afternoon drinks and to watch the European football match, only to be kicked out at half time, (9 pm) fair enough it was a Sunday but lice nsing laws are to be fair not 9pm TOTALLY DISAPPOINTED WITH THIS but the pub at present does not stay open for the hours they advertised.

Today…my wife and I… met my sister and her husband at this lovely classic English pub. Though it was sunny a springtime day…the was very cold….and…I appreciate the open hearth fireplace at the Victory pub. This village…Wickham St. Paul, Essex county is a hidden gem of an English village…with a huge centred green…just a lovely setting…indeed. As it was Sunday…I ordered the pork roast with Yorkshire pudding, gravy and roast potatoes, stuffing and a great plate of fresh local vegetables. Perfectly cooked! It was delicious and great credit to English country cooking. After that…I had the steamed syrup sponge with custard 😋😋 Oh bliss it was! 😋😋 We four enjoyed great friendly and jocund service…it was a perfect lunch…that I will never forget 🥰

Visited for dinner on a Friday night, as staying in the area and there was a quiz night in the bar. When we arrived, we were shown to the dining area and asked if that was ok as we would be the only people eating there as the bar was so busy. We could hear the quiz, but it was not obtrusive. Not the largest menu, but more than enough choice with a few different/unusual options made it an interesting menu. My husband's calamari was superb and better than many eaten in Greece, and my duck pancakes were excellent and as good as any Chinese restaurant. The mains were also excellent and very large. Husband's liver, crispy pancetta, bubble and squeak with red wine jus was outstanding. The only complaint was the size as it was too big to finish. My seabass fillets with prawns in lime butter with new potatoes and veg were also sublime. Again, it is a very large portion but excellent quality. My husband somehow managed the Eton Mess, which was again excellent and rather large. Service was excellent, staff regularly checking if everything was ok and if we needed anything and making sure that the bar was not too noisy. The locals were also very friendly and keen that we sampled the remains of the great village bake off. Unfortunately, we were just too full. Great quality meal at reasonable price. Hopefully, we can visit again.

Had a lovely lunch, good portions & great service. Nice country pub, reasonably priced. Will definitely be returning & recommend.

Great Pub, great food, great staff. We went for a Sunday roast and I’m so glad we booked ahead. The place was alive. The fact that the place was heaving didn’t phase the Team there at all. The food was quick to the table, served with a smile and the was generous in portions size. We will definitely go back again.

Popped in here for lunch. Excellent food, friendly service and good value. The pub has a friendly feel to it with plenty of space. Booked to go back in a couple of weeks with friends.

great pub in pretty place with fine generous food, just how a pub should be. Pleasant staff and interesting menu

This is a local pub for us and we have eaten in, and taken takeaway. The staff are great, the food is really good, proper pub grub, but the main reason for this review is the takeaway fish and chips. It really is a fantastic meal, honestly leaves the well known precinct fish and chip bar in local Halstead standing. Grease does not exist in this meal and the fish is very tasty. Fantastic, and highly recommended. Check out their special early fish and chips between 6pm and 9pm. Great value.

I have been here before so was not surprised at the service and quality of the food, it was superb. It was just a very, very nice mealtime and the ambience created by the table managers was great.

If you want an amazing meal, with great staff, in a lovely country settings then the Victory Inn is the place to go. We went for a Sunday roast today (with starters and desert) and all plates went back clean! Every meal was tasty and came out piping hot. They is also a lot of it. 😁 Highly recommend the Creamed Mushrooms, Big Boy roast as the Eton Mess but all meals are great.

Sun was shining so the large garden at the front was perfect. Not the cheapest but the food is well prepared and tasted nice. The sizzler meals are very tasty, but one one occasion came with vegetables mixed in, another occasion not. Maybe a delivery issue. Some nice beers on tap. Dogs welcome in the bar and the garden

We had been to the Victory inn , a few years back now. But we had travelled up from Debon to visit family. And booked lunch for Saturday. From the moment we arrived the welcome and friendly smiles .from the staff was excellent. Then the food came out. And I must say . This was the best pub /restaurant food I have had in many a year. Absolutely outstanding. From starter to dessert. Hats off to all at the Victory inn . We will certainly be returning.

Our first time here in over 20 years… really enjoyed our lunch with friends, to celebrate our wedding anniversary. Some of us chose from the over-60s menu (what an inspired idea, good selection & very reasonably priced), one had a vegan main, one from the lunch menu. Food was served pretty quickly, piping hot, fresh veg and crisp salad, very generous portions. We managed desserts, too - all very delicious! Very happy with the service, the prices, the portions, the food quality, the setting! (Just one thing: the ladies loo cubicles are a bit tight… ).

A lovely Bank Holiday Monday lunch with the very capable Tina and Ellie manning the fort. A very popular busy. Pub. Good wine and good food. Recommend.

It was our 1st visit to The Victory And we enjoyed a fantastic home cooked veg moussaka, super fresh salad & fries & steak & ale pudding, lovely selection of perfectly cooked veg & mash. Great choice of puds but we’ll save that for our next visit! 10/10 Would highly recommend. And lovely staff

Sadly this was a really bad experience - absolutely awful meal. My liver, bubble & squeak was so enormous it immediately put me off. The bubble & squeak was completely tasteless. When I asked my waitress if they would charge me I was told yes. When I go to my local I am never charged for a meal that is inedible.

A friendly welcome here. We enjoyed a great dinner of tasty, freshly cooked food . Starters included Calamari with chilli sauce , Prawn Cocktail ,Fried Brie with Onion relish and Hoisin Duck with pancakes - all delicious! Main courses of Lambs liver , Cottage pie , Sizzling prawns and Vegetarian Moussaka Only one of our party had room for Spotted Dick pudding with custard - we all had to have a taste of course !

We had a wunderfull lunch with some friends and a excellent diner later on. Fiendly welcome twice. They have a 60+ ;unch possibility. The diner was good quality and excelllent service.

We left the Victory today having not been served two couples and a table of 8 were seated after us. The lady behind the bar then served 3 tables and several people at the bar before us, dispite us trying to attact her attention. After almost quarter of hour waiting it became clear to us that if you are local or know to the only member of staff you definitely get priority service. We duly informed her we were leaving. I know in this day and age it is a problem with staff shortages and Covid but if you haven't got the staff don’t take the bookings. We left very disappointed and based on our very poor experience would not recommend and we would not be returning.

Lovely location between Halstead Sudbury set in a small rural village by the large village green. The Victory Inn is a great pub with friendly staff. Food is excellent with beer to accompany. Definitely worth a visit and then you'll go again!

Greeted by lovely staff in the festive festooned saloon. Had a lighter lunch today, scampi for me and battered fish for hubby. Asked if everything was ok - did we need anything else. Very attentive. Good food and service as usual and as we’ve come...

Arrived with advance notice after finding the venue in Britstops. Very easy to park and the landlord was helpful in directing us to the correct parking spaces. We had a three course meal. It was very well cooked and extremely tasty. Chose the Calves Liver...

Took motorhome parked up in carpark stayed the night and spent a very good evening here, food was great would go again just for the bubble and squeak that came with the calfs liver, superb. Went off piste from the menu for desert and they...

We ordered the cheeseburger which was drowning in cheese and had nothing else in it (like lettuce, tomatoes) this was way too overpriced for something so basic. We also ordered the chef’s special which had the smallest amount of steak and the rest was just...

First and last time at this pub. The main course was dreadful, couldn’t even eat it. What made it worse was the appalling attitude of the manager, he was extremely rude not at all apologetic for the food we didn’t eat and wanted to still...

Had a Sunday lunch roast for four people, two beef two chicken. Beef couldn’t even cut through it and chicken very dry, that said the vegetables and potatoes very nice. Waiting staff friendly owner not so much. Will we go back…. Maybe for a drink...

Welcomed to the pub by Kevin and a new barmaid/waitress. Lovely lunch menu. Had the crab legs to start with then chose the rabbit pie with mash. Would have had the Mousaka, but it was for you vegetarians out there😉. It was a great choice....

Second time we have visited and neither experiences have been great but will always give somewhere a second try, my daughters fruit salad starters did not contain the fruit on the menu, the calamari was very overcooked and chewy and the calves liver was as...

We had a lovely Sunday lunch! The staff were really friendly and there was a great atmosphere. Would definitely recommend!

We often go here and the choice of food is excellent, and a good selection of beers and wines. Nice open fire and a lovely pub in general. Nice sitting out on a sunny day with views over the green. There is parking and two...

The pub was busy, but the staff were fast, efficient, and very polite. I had Smoked Mackerel and Potato salad, traditional roast Turkey with trimmings and Chocolate Brownie with ice cream, plus a locally made craft gin with tonic.... One of the best Christmas meals...

We are a group of walkers who walk each Thursday and end our walk at a pub for lunch. Having agreed arrangements (potentially for up to 10 people) for our visit a reservation was made over a week before our visit. Two days before our...

Wasnt good drinks with lunch very much overpriced and so was the lunch it's self . Bangers and mash two lasana two 2.50 glasses of wine and 4 st Clements 76.00 come on !!!

Had the lasagne with a little garlic bread tiny bit of salad the lasagne was stuck to the dish (overcooked ) we had a couple of orange squash's each & were charged £75 we think this is really over the top as the food was...

We tried this village pub for Sunday lunch on a recommendation. Service was outside as per the restrictions at the time, and was a lovely day so this was perfect. There were plenty of tables well spaced out. There is a very friendly atmosphere with...

Firstly for people concerned with safety - COVID protocols are adhered to. Choice of Large marquee in garden or socially distant tables indoors. Hubby chose fish and chips and I had seafood pancakes. We both liked how the chips were kept hot in the cute...

Fantastic service and food. Made a reservation and wasn’t disappointed. Lovely friendly welcome. Prompt service. Clean environment. Well spaced ... nice back ground music , great fire, nice choice of food and crisp wine and cold beer. We had traditional roast beef roast and it...

Gave this a go after the farm shop cafe we usually nip into for lunch was closed. Was very pleasantly surprised. Only had the scampi and chips, but it was very nice indeed, and cooked perfectly. Customer service was great, and the pub is a...

Stopped with Brit Stop in camper van for one nigh en route to Suffolk. Kevin was most welcoming . We had a very nice meal in a particularly scenic location and wouldn’t fail to recommend.

Excellent food, lovely atmosphere and will definitely be returning! The food exceeded our expectations and staff were very friendly and attentive.

The best of the restaurants available locally. Worth the 10 min drive down a lane. The food is always fabulous and generous portions. Service always with a smile and friendly interaction. Great pint too according to my husband!

This is our first time visiting this restaurant... it is very pleasant lovely atmosphere, great staff, great layout, good quality furniture.super clean.we were visiting with family our age group was from 82 years of age and as young as 7... We all felt very welcome...

We went last minute on a cold wet Thursday evening. We had a table by the lovely open fire. The food was excellent & the landlord who served us was friendly. There is a varied menu & a good choice of veggie & vegan dishes...

After recently attending a wake and having the best experience you could wish for a couple of us decided to have a quiet supper and of course decided on The Victory. I chose to ignore being called “darling” constantly by a landlady I could only...

Lovely fire in beamed pub, view from window and table service. 4 ladies enjoyed their over 60s 2 course lunch. Leisurely chat over hot food. We will return soon.

Nice restaurant/pub. Food is good but a tad expensive from the ordinary menu. Mind you the portions are very large. The over-sixties menu (limited availability) is more economical but as you would expect not as extensive. That said the standard and meal size is very...

Visited the Victory for Sunday lunch after good reports from friends. I have to say we weren't disappointed. We were met pleasantly at the bar and shown to our table. Extremely attentive staff took our drinks order and delivered to our table. Took our food...

Small pub restaurant situated in picturesque village. Fine welcome from landlord and good service from young waiter. Two of us present and the food was excellently presented and very good. Indeed, one of the best cottage pies we have ever tasted!

We visited yesterday, a party of 3. Have been to this place several times before and the food has always been good, service poor and staff offhand. We have put up with this for the sake of the food. Yesterday, however, was the last time....

A family visit with Sunday lunch required. We had seen the sign on the road, pointing to ther pub, so why not take a chance, so glad we did. Booked the day before and made so welcome when we arrived. Baby seat supplied, attentively took...

We have visited this Pub before and found the service slow, mainly due to lack of staff.This time the service was very good. The food is above average. They cater for pensioners during lunch weekdays and it is good value for money. Now the service is very good we definitely will come more regularly.

Great service! Although not the busiest establishment the staff were very professional and welcoming. Love the old style setting with menu’s and specials displayed on chalkboards adorning the wall. Food served in good time and was of the highest standard.

Very good service, efficient friendly staff. Well cooked selection of roasts and other specials, generous portions. Not to sure about the two large wet dogs that arrived on the next table just before desserts which we decided to give a miss to on this occasion.

went for a sunday lunch and I have to say its the best roast dinner I have ever eaten in a restaurant ( apart from nans ) in years ..the atmosphere was cosy and the staff friendly and attentive , would defo go back ..jane

We went for Lunch. Opted for Pensioners Special. Scampi & Chips, Cottage Pie and Lasagne. All were very good, nicely presented and great value for money. Young lad serving was very attentive and an asset to the place. Will go back

Looking for a new place to host a family gathering later this year, we stumbled upon The Victory, in an idyllic location opposite the village green.

Had a fab meal here. Friendly staff, lovely cosy pub. Great tasty vegetarian options. Just watch your head on the beam on your way in or out!

After previously lunching during weekday we decided to try Sunday lunch. We both had the Roast Pork which was served quickly, hot & the portions were generous but it pains me to say that the meat & gravy were pretty tasteless. Neither of us finished the meal which was disappointing. The lemon pie pudding was excellent.

The food was fantastic, all freshly prepared and good sized portions. I opted for the homemade pie with mash and my husband ordered the steak - really flavoursome and yummy! The menu consists of good, hearty pub grub with seasonal produce. The staff are friendly, quick to serve and keen to ensure good customer service. Highly recommend and it has now become one of our favourite go-to restaurants, as we know what to expect and receive a high standard of meal and service.

We dined here with family whilst staying at the nearby Pannells Ash Suites. A varied menu, with specials. Good portion sizes and good quality. Service was excellent and staff friendly. All in all good value for money.

Found The Victory after Googling a dinner venue on the way home from Freeport Cinema and what a find..The village of Wickam St Paul supports this wondrous pub and eatery which was full to the gunnels of people who obviously knew a good thing when they found it..Kevin the landlord was polite and friendly,staff were eager and responsive, menu was varied and great value, service was prompt and the surroundings and ambiance were welcoming..What’s not to like..The Victory is pub grub with no pretence of anything other than a great night out that delivers good food, good value and a desire to return..best to book ..

Visited for lunch-had the steak and ale pudding-it was very tasty and the veg was good too-staff very friendly and attentive-parking outside ok-well worth a visit if you like. good food.

We recently visited this country pub for a roast dinner it was absolutely delicious. The staff were friendly & helpful. The atmosphere was lovely. We decided to return again to sample the evening menu & once again we were not disappointed. All in all I’d say this place is a right hidden gem. We will definitely be back.

An olde worlde pub that has good food a great ambience and a superb log fire. It’s a very popular pub so I think it’s best if you book. We enjoyed lasagna chips and salad served by a very busy, friendly lady a credit to the owners. First time there and we felt very welcome. Good menu choice and reasonably priced Over 60’s lunches. A great place to meet friends.

We enjoyed wonderful food, excellently presented in warm, delightfully decorated surroundings. The staff were friendly and the organisation was smooth and efficient. I urge people to give this splendid place a try. We shall be returning very soon.

Just visited here with family for a birthday, and had the best Sunday Roast.

Just lovely, this pub/Restaurant has every bit of charm a country pub could give, sitting outside or inside, staff are fabulous, food delicious and beer good.

If you are a pensioner I would suggest that if you want a really good meal at a reasonable price then go to the Victory Inn, I went with my husband on Tuesday last as recommended by my friend, the meal was delicious, plus of course you can order a sweet if you have enough room. The place was packed with people who looked to be enjoying themselves, well worth a visit would certainly recommend.

We popped in on our way back from Colchester hoping to grab some food and although all of the tables were reserved the landlord made a special effort to accommodate us.

We had some friends coming over for dinner and last minute realised that eating out would be the best option. Called The Victory Inn and booked a table for 6 for Sunday dinner using their on-line booking form. What a great idea that turned out to be!

This public house is all you would wish for in a good pub. A good range of beers, an excellent menu, and a chef who knows how to encourage excess feeding. The publican and staff are welcoming as is the large wood burner in winter!

We visit here every now and then for a nice traditional meal. The food is always served in big portions and is always super tasty.

We had our 1st mini moon here and have returned every year since. Friendly staff, good food, dog friendly and a beach to die for. What else do you need? Book it!!

We have eaten here many times and the food is always excellent. Yesterday three of us had liver for lunch, cooked to order and request and my husband had the fish and chips. Everything was perfectly cooked and plentiful. The liver was superb stacked on mashed potato with pancetta crisps and a serving of side vegetables brought separately. The gravy was delicious. Our friends had only had a roast at the Victory before, but declared this the best liver dish they had eaten. We are already booked for an evening meal next week, taking other friends there to experience the great food.

We used to visit this pub often, we don't eat there because the food is expensive but we do sometimes pop in for a drink after visiting Spencer's farm.

This was our first visit to the Victory Inn, having passed the sign on the way home several times and thinking that 'we must visit'. Well this pub didn't disappoint at all, fabulous food great prices and very welcoming. We would most definitely return. Great!

Firstly I must say that i've visited this site many times with a good friend (also writing a review) We have experienced some lovely staff and had some good meals (although quite expensive) from this pub.

Good food, lovely atmosphere, friendly staff, been going here for years, gets better with each visit.

Popped in on the off chance.....they found us a table within 5 minutes....food was absolutely perfect.....staff exceptional.....clean, polite, a wonderful experience.....lovely village.....seriously can't wait to return.....

After a lovely local circular walk we stopped for a drink a bite to eat. Great food and lovely staff. Will visit again and stay longer next time!

Excellent well cooked traditional pub grub. Generous portions and very good value for money. Good menu choice to suit everyone. Would definitely recommend. If only more local pubs were as good!

Amazing food and excellent service, highly recommended. The food is just done so well and the service was faultless.

We hadn't booked a table but called in on the off chance for Sunday lunch, sadly they were fully booked. The landlord said that we were more than welcome to eat in the 'snug bar' area, which has sofas and small lower tables. We accepted his offer and the seating was fine. We both ordered traditional Sunday lunch, mine was the veggie option (no meat), my husband had beef and pork, the food was very good, good selection of vegetables, lovely crispy roast potatoes, good portion sizes, served piping hot, which is a rarity these days. We didn't really have room for pudding but after much deliberation I ordered sticky toffee pudding and my husband ordered apple crumble, mmm delicious both of them. Prices comparable with other pub/restaurants in the area. The Victory had a lovely atmosphere, a friendly warm welcome by the landlord, friendly staff, roaring log fire - just perfect on a snowy Sunday afternoon. We will definitely return.

Lovely food, good service and excellent choices of different cuisine. Friendly staff and good value for money, have recommended to friends and family

Came here with our doggie, friends and their 2 yr old boy. The reception was lovely - everyone was so friendly and welcoming.

traveling on the Halstead to Sudbury road, we saw the sign for a pub down the small lane. We found this lovely old pub & with real ale, a good meal & friendly service from the owner, we felt we should give them a good...

We have eaten here for many years and have always had superb food and service from the Victory . We never leave Hungary as we do sometimes in other pub restaurants and the landlord is always welcoming even when he has a full pub which...

We had lunch here today, and had the roast lamb. It was excellent. Plenty of veg too, good quantity of meat and nicely cooked. A very busy pub on a Sunday so I would recommend booking if gojng for lunch. Friendly staff too, and decent pricing. Definitely will return.

A long established watering hole, the Victory Inn is set in the heart of the picturesque village of Wickham St Pauls; a quiet, friendly place filled with character. The building itself features original beams and captures the essence of the traditional pub vibe perfectly. The cosy atmosphere is enhanced by a log burner in the dining area.

Great food, great service, lovely atmosphere. Would recomend highly. We will be going back again very soon.

Diverting off the planned route we found this jewel hidden up a long country lane.

Excellent home cooked food. Very good choice on the menu. Cosy and welcoming atmosphere. What a discovery. Made our second visit today.... a group of Lunching Ladies. The pub is definitely on our 'favourites list'.

Went to the victory for an evening meal and we weren't disappointed,the food was out standing the chef should be proud. The owner was very welcoming when we arrived.

Went for an evening meal as was recommended by a customer of mine to give it at try. Service was excellent, food was served on hot plates, which is something I do like...hot food-hot plates...I had liver and bacon which was cooked exactly as I asked. Tables were clean and the whole place was clean and tidy too. Only problem was I couldn`t eat it all as portions were huge...but so so more-ish. Asked about Sunday lunches and was advised to book, which doesn't surprise me as food was excellent....will definitely be back.

Excellent food, well cooked and a friendly, comfortable setting. Prices average for the area. A excellent evening out.