The Ancient Briton

Quick info

17 Iceni Way, Colchester CO2 9EG, United Kingdom

£1–10

About The Ancient Briton

The Ancient Briton is a pub at 17 Iceni Way in the Shrub End area of Colchester, under new management after a recent refurbishment. Two pool tables sit in a separate pool room, so games run apart from the main bar, and regulars there play for the pub's own team. Darts and live music add to the games and entertainment, and a juke box is on hand too. A function room has hosted a school reunion and a christening, which makes the pub a fit for group occasions. For food, a burger van parks in the car park outside, and Brits Grill is next door.

Good to know

Reservations
Accepts reservations
Parking
Free parking lot · Free street parking · Parking
Accessibility
Wheelchair: entrance, parking lot
Good for kids
Good for kids

Reviews

4.3/5

170 reviews

What reviewers say

Reviewers most often mention pool tables, juke box, beer garden and function room.

5★

107

4★

3★

2★

1★

What reviewers say

Reviewers most often mention pool tables, juke box, beer garden and function room.

Customer Review Summary

Pool is the main draw, with reviewers repeatedly mentioning two pool tables, one describing a separate pool room, and several saying they come specifically to play. Darts and a juke box sit close behind. Staff and the landlady are described as friendly and welcoming, and one visitor notes the staff gave helpful information about the local area. Drinks get steady praise, including a good selection of beers, a first Madri called lovely, and reasonable drink prices. Food comes from a burger van in the car park, which one reviewer calls awesome, while another points to Brits Grill next door. The beer garden gets a mention, though one parent says the kids' area needs a bit more entertainment and adds that the new owners are working on it. Another reviewer, returning after a break, says the only change was some of the customers. One group held its school class reunion in the function room and thanked the pub for a great night.

Customer Review Summary

Featured reviews

phil vandersteen
9 months ago
“I was there playing pool. They have 2 pool tables. And Darts. Very friendly atmosphere. Good service all in all nice pub.”
stuart bagshaw
1 year ago
“Great local pub atmosphere , good food next door at brits grill, prices are reasonable, pool and tv. Will be back”
Ben Taylor
2 years ago
“Great pub with pool tables. Good selection of drinks availiable with great atmosphere”
Peter Mcconnell
3 years ago
“Had a lovely afternoon at a christening there Sunday and have used the pub in the past , friendly staff and nice drinks and has pool tables , nice clean decor”
Alexandra Hammond
4 years ago
“This pub has 2 pool tables and a beer garden. The staff are friendly and the ladies toilets are clean (I haven't experienced the gents). There's a juke box.”

James Dickson
4 years ago
“We had our school reunion here in the function room, the place looked great and the staff were excellent, drink prices are very reasonable. On behalf of the Alderman Blaxill School Class of 2002, thank you for a great night”
Billy
4 years ago
“Popped in here after viewing a house in the area. Instantly felt welcomed and had a chat with the staff who provided some very helpful info on the local area. Other customers seemed friendly too. Would definitely visit again if in the area. Good selection of beers too. Tried my first Madri, lovely!”
Debbie Middleton
4 years ago
“Lovely little family pub with new owners. A little bit of entertainment needed for the kids in the garden, but I know they are working on it. Staff were nice and friendly too.So will defo go again next time I'm at my daughters x”
Adam Lee
4 years ago
“It's a great pub, I come here to play pool in their separate pool room. And lovely members of staff too. And they have a juke box!”
Luke Nadin
7 years ago
“This is the pub I play Pool for. We have a great bunch of people here and the landlady is really Welcoming. I've only just started going here again in last couple weeks. And only thing that's changed is some of the customers there. They have their own burger van outside in the car park. And the food is awesome.”

Show 5 more reviews

Read all 170 reviews on Google

Hours

Monday: 2 PM – 11 PM
Tuesday: 2 PM – 11 PM
Wednesday: 2 PM – 11 PM
Thursday: 2 PM – 11 PM
Friday: 12 PM – 12 AM
Saturday: 12 PM – 12 AM
Sunday: 12 PM – 11 PM

Highlights

“Under new management and recently refurbished The Ancient Briton is set in the heart of the Shrub End community. Your friendly local ! Reasonably priced drinks and bar snacks, family friendly, large beer garden. Live music Darts Pool”

Bar games
Great beer selection
Karaoke
Live music
Live performances
Sports

Amenities

Wheelchair accessible entrance
Accepts reservations
Outdoor seating
Dine-in
Good for kids
Bar games
Casual
Beer
Dancing
Free water refills
Happy hour drinks
Outside food allowed

Show more amenities

Casual
Beer
Dancing
Free water refills
Happy hour drinks
Outside food allowed

Highlights· 6: Great beer selection
Karaoke
Live music
Live performances
Sports
Trivia night

Offerings· 4: Alcohol
Cocktails
Hard liquor
Wine
Facilities· 1: Restroom
Accessibility· 1: Wheelchair accessible parking lot

Dining options· 1: Seating
Crowd· 1: Groups
Parking· 3: Free parking lot
Free street parking
Parking

Location

Bars near The Ancient Briton

The Ancient Briton

£1–10ReservationsWheelchair accessibleOutdoor seating

4.3170

Berechurch Arms4.3456
0.5 mi
sunday roast, wake and function hosting, finger buffet
New Inn4.5335
1.4 mi£1–10ReservationsWheelchair accessibleOutdoor seating
function room party hire, beef madras pie, local cask beers
Kings Arms4.1976
1.4 mi£10–40ReservationsOutdoor seatingGood for kids
beer garden, overnight rooms, full English breakfast

Place	Rating	Distance	Price	Mentioned in reviews
The Ancient BritonReservations · Wheelchair accessible · Outdoor seating	4.3170	—	£1–10	pool tables, juke box, beer garden
Berechurch Arms	4.3456	0.5 mi	—	sunday roast, wake and function hosting, finger buffet
New InnReservations · Wheelchair accessible · Outdoor seating	4.5335	1.4 mi	£1–10	function room party hire, beef madras pie, local cask beers
Kings ArmsReservations · Outdoor seating · Good for kids	4.1976	1.4 mi	£10–40	beer garden, overnight rooms, full English breakfast