Eight Bells

Handsome Tudor pub with open-plan beamed bar with stylish modern furnishings (more like a café than a pub); leather chairs around old wooden tables, upholstered wall banquettes with lots of cushions, painted standing timbers and bare boards, old brick fireplace and woodburner, flower paintings, mirrors and decorative plates on the walls; real ales include perhaps Woodfordes Wherry, ten wines by the glass and several malt whiskies, good inventive food, splendidly raftered and timbered back dining barn with modern furniture, more banquettes, antler light fittings and a woodburner; background music; children and dogs (in bar) welcome, garden with raised deck, nice walks nearby and handy for Audley End (EH), open all day, kitchen closes 6pm Sun.