The Hand & Crown
Quick info
About The Hand & Crown
The Hand & Crown is a gastropub at 17 High Wych Rd in Sawbridgeworth, with bookable private domes or pods for dining alongside an outdoor area full of plants and flowers. The domes give groups a space of their own to reserve. Mains include Greek lamb served with rice, Greek salad with feta and olives, and warm pita bread, along with stuffed pork belly. A Sunday roast is served as well. Most mains come in smaller portions, which leaves room for a dessert from the sweet menu. The bar pours cocktails, wines and beers, and tasters of beer are offered.
Good to know
- AccessibilityWheelchair: entrance, parking lot, restroom, seating
Reviews
What reviewers say
Reviewers most often mention lamb main, fish and chips, roast dinner and private dining pods.
What reviewers say
Reviewers most often mention lamb main, fish and chips, roast dinner and private dining pods.
Customer Review Summary
Lamb draws the most praise, whether the Greek lamb with rice, Greek salad and pita, the Easter Sunday lamb roast, or a lamb main that fell apart on its own. Close behind are the stuffed pork belly, mussels, garlic mushrooms, a smoked salmon parcel starter and a soup one diner calls genius, plus fish and chips in a portion said to feed three. A lemon and blueberry tart and cheese and biscuits are mentioned as finishes. Reviewers describe friendly, cheerful staff, an owner who offered beer tasters, a large outdoor area full of plants and flowers, and domes and pods that diners booked. Portions are generous enough that some had no room for dessert, and a smaller size of most mains is offered. Complaints are few. One reviewer was sad that the large fish and chip lunch had stopped, and another found the meat in a pie poor, yet it was refunded and the feedback promised to go back to the butcher.
Customer Review Summary
Lamb draws the most praise, whether the Greek lamb with rice, Greek salad and pita, the Easter Sunday lamb roast, or a lamb main that fell apart on its own. Close behind are the stuffed pork belly, mussels, garlic mushrooms, a smoked salmon parcel starter and a soup one diner calls genius, plus fish and chips in a portion said to feed three. A lemon and blueberry tart and cheese and biscuits are mentioned as finishes. Reviewers describe friendly, cheerful staff, an owner who offered beer tasters, a large outdoor area full of plants and flowers, and domes and pods that diners booked. Portions are generous enough that some had no room for dessert, and a smaller size of most mains is offered. Complaints are few. One reviewer was sad that the large fish and chip lunch had stopped, and another found the meat in a pie poor, yet it was refunded and the feedback promised to go back to the butcher.
Featured reviews
- Google user
“This gem of a place just ontop of our doorstep , tucked down a country road in Hertfordshire. The service , decor , large menue choice and magnificent food will deffinetally make anyone plan there next visit , We did just this and booked a pod for November . If your looking for a romantic , family or just a quiet meal alone this is just the place .”
- Google user
“I visited today with a friend and we were met by Darren who is quite possibly the best pub host I have encountered in many many years. He was so nice and cheerful he immediately made us feel at home. The pub itself is very nice and cosy inside and has a great big outdoor area full of lovely plants and flowers. I went for the stuffed pork belly and my friend for the greek lamb. Both were superb and the quality of the meat was excellent. We finished with a chocolate truffle and a lemon and blueberry tart which was our favourite. The drinks options from cocktails to wines to beers is quite vast and varied. We shared a bottle of French pinot noir which was very fairly priced. All the staff was super nice, cheerful and competent, such a rarity these days. We left with our bellies full and a big smile on our faces. We'll definitely be back!”
- Google user
“Today I took my nephew to the Hands and Crown ,I must say I was sad that they had stopped the large fish and chip lunch. I was how ever pleased when my nephew said of all the places I had taken him to this was the best. The food we had was lovely and it was nice to finish the meal with cheese and biscuits not many pubs do that these days. thank you for the lovely meal and thankyou to the staff who were top notch. See you son.”
- Google user
“The three of us ended up here not expecting much from a regular pub. How wrong we were. I ordered the lamb — the meat fell apart on its own, rich and deeply flavoured sauce, served with rice, a Greek salad with feta and olives, and warm pita bread. My colleague went for the fish & chips — a portion big enough to feed three hungry men. Prices are absolutely fair for the quality and quantity of food. No unnecessary fuss, just solid, honest cooking done at a high level. We'll definitely be back on our next work trip!”
- Google user
“Very impressed with this pub, very busy, turning people away as the restaurant was fully booked. Good size portions with a leave room for desert option. Glad we found this gem.”
Amenities
- Wheelchair accessible entrance
Show more amenities
- Accessibility· 3
- Wheelchair accessible parking lot
- Wheelchair accessible restroom
- Wheelchair accessible seating
Location
Bars near The Hand & Crown
- Moorhen4.23,0052.5 mi£20–30ReservationsWheelchair accessibleOutdoor seating
canal-side seating, beer garden, soft play area
- Jolly Fisherman4.31,1875.9 mi away£10–20ReservationsWheelchair accessibleOutdoor seating
sunday roast, steak and ale pie, riverside garden seating
- The Fish And Eels4.23,9336.6 mi away£20–30ReservationsOutdoor seatingGood for kids
riverside location with garden, slow service, beef sunday roast
| Place | Rating | Distance | Price | Mentioned in reviews |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| The Hand & CrownWheelchair accessible | 4.61,097 | — | — | lamb main, fish and chips, roast dinner |
| MoorhenReservations · Wheelchair accessible · Outdoor seating | 4.23,005 | 2.5 mi | £20–30 | canal-side seating, beer garden, soft play area |
| Jolly FishermanReservations · Wheelchair accessible · Outdoor seating | 4.31,187 | 5.9 mi away | £10–20 | sunday roast, steak and ale pie, riverside garden seating |
| The Fish And EelsReservations · Outdoor seating · Good for kids | 4.23,933 | 6.6 mi away | £20–30 | riverside location with garden, slow service, beef sunday roast |
The 3 nearest bars by distance. Ratings, hours and review terms come from public business profiles.
