Quick info
About The Woodman
On London Rd in Ongar, The Woodman is a pub set in a 17th-century building with a beer garden at the back overlooking countryside views. The menu runs to 16 dishes, with steak and chips, sirloin steak and prawn cocktail among the options, alongside prawn salad and a prawn baguette. Sunday-style roasts are also served, including a nut roast, lamb roast and pork belly roast, finished with ice cream. Service is walk-in, with staff bringing orders out to the tables. The garden includes a children's play area, and diners can eat outside with the countryside outlook beyond the pub itself.
Good to know
“17th-century country pub offering classic comfort food, plus a garden with kids' play area.”
- AccessibilityHas wheelchair-accessible car park · Has wheelchair-accessible toilet
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Menu & Prices
16 dishes- Prawn Salad
- Prawn Cocktail
- Steak and Chips
- Ice Cream
- Prawn Baguette
- Sirloin Steak
Reviews
What reviewers say
Reviewers most often mention pork belly roast, outdoor beer garden, sticky toffee pudding and nut roast.
What reviewers say
Reviewers most often mention pork belly roast, outdoor beer garden, sticky toffee pudding and nut roast.
Customer Review Summary
Roast dinners draw the most praise, with the pork belly singled out for its tender meat and plenty of crackling, though one reviewer wanted crisper skin on it. Close behind are the sticky toffee pudding, the lamb roast, the nut roast and a liver and mash with steak and kidney pudding, while the beer garden with countryside views and the friendly, welcoming staff come up repeatedly. Service is the sharpest divide. One party of ten describes a wait of over two hours for food after being told it would take a maximum of thirty minutes, with staff repeatedly promising it within fifteen minutes. Another calls the service slow and the indoor seating incredibly busy, and a one-star reviewer calls the service among the worst they have experienced. A few add that the marquee party next door played obscenely loud music over the garden, that tables are cramped and warm, and that sausage and mash now arrives in a huge bowl-like dish. One diner banged their head on the low ceiling on the way to the toilet.
Customer Review Summary
Roast dinners draw the most praise, with the pork belly singled out for its tender meat and plenty of crackling, though one reviewer wanted crisper skin on it. Close behind are the sticky toffee pudding, the lamb roast, the nut roast and a liver and mash with steak and kidney pudding, while the beer garden with countryside views and the friendly, welcoming staff come up repeatedly. Service is the sharpest divide. One party of ten describes a wait of over two hours for food after being told it would take a maximum of thirty minutes, with staff repeatedly promising it within fifteen minutes. Another calls the service slow and the indoor seating incredibly busy, and a one-star reviewer calls the service among the worst they have experienced. A few add that the marquee party next door played obscenely loud music over the garden, that tables are cramped and warm, and that sausage and mash now arrives in a huge bowl-like dish. One diner banged their head on the low ceiling on the way to the toilet.
Featured reviews
- joan romain
“Have been to the woodman on many occasions but have to say was not impressed food is now served in huge bowl like dishes totally inappropriate why would you sell sausage n mash in one of these dishes ??? There were 7 in our party two had …”
- Google user
“Went with a family of 10 on a Sunday. Order our meals and had a wait fot over 2hours for the food to arrive. We were told at the time of our order that the meals were taking a maximum of 30 mins. We waited for over an hour before we asked a member of staff about yhe delay in our order. Was told there was a backlog of orders but I our order should be with us in 15 mins. Again we waited another half an hour. Complained to another member of who said it would be with us in about another 15 minutes.”
- David J Smith
“Went Saturday 16th May early eve very quite, lovely atmosphere great staff, food liver mash veg great meal steak kidney pud mash veg was great to. Good portions not over expensive. Highly recommend.”
- Sharmilee Patel
“Had a really lovely experience at this restaurant! The nut roast was absolutely delicious—full of flavour and perfectly done. The vegetables were cooked just right, which really brought the whole meal together. The atmosphere was warm and welcoming, making it a great place to relax and enjoy your food. On top of that, the service was excellent—the staff were friendly, attentive, and made us feel well looked after. Would definitely recommend and look forward to visiting again!”
- Amber Robbins
“If I could give 0 stars, I would! The pub garden is lovely and the food was ok but the service was one of the worst I’ve experienced! We went in to order food which was fine and the ladies serving us were really …”
Amenities
- Has wheelchair-accessible car park
- Food at bar
- Restroom
- Beer
- Food
- Live music
Show more amenities
- Facilities· 7
- Alcohol
- Cocktails
- Hard liquor
- Wine
- Great beer selection
- Great wine list
- Live performances
- Accessibility· 1
- Has wheelchair-accessible toilet
Location
Bars near The Woodman
- The Black Horse4.41,7623.8 mi£20–30ReservationsOutdoor seatingGood for kids
sunday roast, fish and chips, signature skewer with feta salad
- The Rose & Crown4.54003.9 mi£20–30ReservationsWheelchair accessibleOutdoor seating
fish and chips, group birthday celebrations, steaks and burgers
- The Bull Brentwood4.31,1725.2 mi away£20–30
gluten-free menu options, gluten free sticky toffee pudding, sunday roast
| Place | Rating | Distance | Price | Mentioned in reviews |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| The Woodman | 4.4995 | — | £20–30 | pork belly roast, outdoor beer garden, sticky toffee pudding |
| The Black HorseReservations · Outdoor seating · Good for kids | 4.41,762 | 3.8 mi | £20–30 | sunday roast, fish and chips, signature skewer with feta salad |
| The Rose & CrownReservations · Wheelchair accessible · Outdoor seating | 4.5400 | 3.9 mi | £20–30 | fish and chips, group birthday celebrations, steaks and burgers |
| The Bull Brentwood | 4.31,172 | 5.2 mi away | £20–30 | gluten-free menu options, gluten free sticky toffee pudding, sunday roast |
The 3 nearest bars by distance. Ratings, hours and review terms come from public business profiles.
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