Prince Of Wales - Chelmsford

Terrible experience here very unfriendly and unprofessional manager/owner. If you have kids under 16 you’re segregated (lunchtime) into a shoddy back room with no atmosphere. When we were overheard discussing this he literally chucked us out the pub!! I know if I’d read this I’d think they must have behaved awfully, but we are a normal family who were only discussing this situation. Never experienced this type of aggression before and never been segregated in a pub with a 12 and 14 year old the whole pub was for eating not just this back room. Landed up at the Queen Victoria and had a delicious lunch and they couldn’t have been more welcoming. So from our experience if you have kids avoid this pub at all costs, my children didn’t need to experience his rude and quite frankly nasty manner he should really advertise this pub as adults only if that’s what he clearly wants.

Terrible experience that was completely unnecessary. I stopped by for lunch and was informed that we would need to "go to the other room because of the lad," which I assumed referred to my 12-year-old son since no further explanation was given. We moved to the other room, only to find it lacked any atmosphere since it was empty. The pub landlord/server then told us that we wouldn't be served and suggested we "go to the Norton," another nearby pub. We explained that we had come specifically to visit this pub. He informed us that this was a condition of the license, and we noted that this context would have been helpful to know upfront. Again, we were told to leave and that we wouldn't be served. In over 30 years of visiting pubs in the UK, I've never encountered such an unfriendly and unwelcoming experience.

I had high expectations for the service, food quality, and ambiance at this restaurant. I ordered the fish and chips with mushy peas, while others in my group opted for scallops. The service was prompt and attentive. The atmosphere was the quintessential old pub, easily the best I've encountered. The decor showcased the history of WWI RAC at Stow Maries, complete with fascinating posters and pictures. The fish and chips were a generously sized portion and excellently prepared—what great value! The parking area and grounds were tidy and inviting. Thank you for a wonderful visit! (from the USA)

Great food, large car park. Lovely beer garden Service: 4 Location: 5

Lovely old pub unusual layout inside. Built in 1800's, and served some of the airmen from the secret airfield nearby. Food excellent! Good menu plenty of choice. Defo will re visit. The cod here is rumoured to be as big as a whale so you better have a good appetite! Service: 5 Location: 5 Hotel highlights: Quiet