The Black Horse situated in Pilgrims Hatch is a traditional, cosy Gastropub North-East of London in the municipality of Brentwood, a very pleasant centre in the County of Essex, a historical territory of England well known to have been one of the former Saxon Kingdoms in the 6th century highlighted by a fascinating, verdant countryside.
That site located halfway between Chelmsford and Romford at the border of Epping Forest District as its current denomination says accommodated since the 12th century several pilgrims on the way trough Brentwood to Canterbury to visit the Chapel of St. Thomas containing the relics of that iconic Saint and Martyr named Thomas Becket, former Archbishop of that town well known for his numerous conflicts with King Henry II and murdered in 1170.
That event apart to give the village the current name elevated its fame in an area well known also for several, beautiful Gothic, Neo-Gothic Churches, fabulous Tudor buildings linked to the secular history of an important dynasty of the British Monarchy which established in that land, manors, mansions, hunting lodges including in many charming, small hamlets.
Many emblematic Royal figures loved that territory, It is enough to mention King Henry VIII, King John and Edward the Confessor often present there and from Brentwood until the nearest borough of Havering you will find many links related to them.
Fine art, refined architecture, historic characters but as all around the entire Great Britain you can find in that area north-east of London other icons of the United Kingdom consisting in many excellent gastropubs with a long history to narrate, considered symbols of the local culture.
Elevated as part of a very old tradition many of those Hospitality & Catering establishments were often frequented by figures of high, cultural relevance, thanks to them they became year by year very popular continuing in more contemporary times to be relevant social meeting points for Associations, Clubs, group of friends, families including references for entire communities especially in medium and small centres.
Some of them also provide accommodations, others were arranged in historic buildings of notable, architectural value, further are located in attractive environments in fascinating corners i a scenic countryside or in strategic urban key points easily to reach.
The Black Horse is a site which loyally represents the long English tradition of those structures well known worldwide for their captivating atmosphere.
In the last years the image of the old British Pub as in the case of that establishment of Pilgrims Hatch notably changed, not in terms of aesthetic conserved with extreme pride but because they mutated a bit their profiles when they started to be transformed in gastropubs.
Since some decades ago they started to offer a wide, excellent selection of typical plates mutating the old standard trend of the past
which originally was mainly focused to serve drinks highlighted in some cases by live music but with a pretty reduced list in terms of
food.
Many pubs nowadays offer the chance to taste including ethnic cuisine which was since the beginning a further incentive for many people to eat out trying something of different with extreme pleasure.
Undoubtedly all that was a great strategy, a splendid way to satisfy the most varied tastes with a more varied choice increasing flows of clients continuing to keep their classical image as the Black Horse did.
Hosted in a magnificent, stylish building erected in the 16th century representing a great architectural example of refined Tudor style developed since the late 15th century related to a Royalty which gave the country five Kings.
Originally the house had a cross wing at the northern end while another one was added to the structure later.
After a restoration to preserve that superb marvel the Black Horse shows nowadays a magnificent image greatly preserved highlighting that notorious artistic movement born and bred in the United Kingdom which found in Essex a very fertile soil to establish true, architectural marvels.
Originally the house had a cross wing at the northern end while another one was added to the structure later.
After a restoration to preserve that superb marvel the Black Horse shows nowadays a magnificent image greatly preserved highlighting that notorious artistic movement born and bred in the United Kingdom which found in Essex a very fertile soil to establish true, architectural marvels.
The main facade fully reflects many marvellous details of that style consisting in a harmonious combination of stone, timber and plaster in a unique layout in a sort marriage among different kinds of materials.
Highlighted by a fascinating gable front side, fine wooden patterns present all around the sides of the construction, that structure was conceived respecting all the canons of the most classical Tudor style with an unmistakable sense of geometry in the execution of every section.
Timber elements placed in strategic spaces with symmetric vertical and perpendicular lines established around rectangular windows, doors beneath a traditional dark sloping roof highlighted by captivating stone chimneys covering an ample part of the frontal section, the image of the building is very attractive and nothing is bizarre.
Timber elements placed in strategic spaces with symmetric vertical and perpendicular lines established around rectangular windows, doors beneath a traditional dark sloping roof highlighted by captivating stone chimneys covering an ample part of the frontal section, the image of the building is very attractive and nothing is bizarre.
A stylish door connected to a small passage directly leads to the interior and once inside facing a stylish bar you will notice a splendid interior superbly decorated with timber elements, framed pictures fixed with taste on the walls in strategic points with other objects arranged to delight the view of the customers sitting at the tables in a pretty spacious environment.
The setting was perfectly studied representing a splendid mixture of classical and rustic transmitting a welcoming, cosy, friendly atmosphere with a very pleasant presence of fine furniture and beautiful mirrors.
The soft luminosity of the lights never disturbs the human eye falling in focal points as the area in proximity of the bar, immediately inviting to start with an aperitif or sitting in a corner flanking the entrance providing an attractive, small lounge with comfortable chairs.
In addition that gastropub has a very nice garden accessible by
a large door on the left side of the structure in the case you want for a while to breathe fresh air or simply sitting outside with your cool drink having a chat in a peaceful outdoor space.
The staff is very kind, professional, efficient ,the quality of food is excellent, with an ample variety of starters such as Caesar Salad, Salt and Pepper Calamari, King prawn, lobster and avocado cocktail, Oven-baked garlic and cheddar mushrooms, Oak smoked chicken liver pâté among others.
The staff is very kind, professional, efficient ,the quality of food is excellent, with an ample variety of starters such as Caesar Salad, Salt and Pepper Calamari, King prawn, lobster and avocado cocktail, Oven-baked garlic and cheddar mushrooms, Oak smoked chicken liver pâté among others.
In alternative you can enjoy a varied list of Sharers and Grazing tasting Warm rustic bread with soya roasted seed butter, Garlic and rosemary pizzettes stoned-baked with vine cherry tomatoes, Box baked Camembert with rustic bread, Pork Scratchings or Bowl of olives with lemon and thyme.
Excellent is also the list of the Mains, with the typical Fish & Chips, Breaded Scampi Smoked Haddock and Ale rarebit, Chargrilled chicken breast and Kapia pepper, Lamb rump, Hunter's chicken, Beef and Merlot pie, steaks and much more.
Recently was added in the menu the Pizza, a kind of food in many cases selected by numerous people next to a large choice of burgers and sandwiches.
The Black Horse offers you the opportunity to enjoy the typical Sunday-Roast, a
classical, old English tradition with the chance to taste the
iconic Roast beef but also chicken, turkey, pork and vegetarian option
too.
All that is combined with fresh vegetables such as carrots, broccoli next to the emblematic roast potatoes with an ample choice of sauces ready to satisfy the taste of everyone.
Notable is also the offer of delectable desserts, great to finish a good meal with something of sweet, the establishment boast an excellent selection such as Bramley apple crumble, Belgian chocolate brownie, Treacle tart, Rhubard and custard compote, Sticky toffee and apple pudding among others.
The Black Horse provides a wide list of fine wines such as Merlot, Shiraz, Malbec, Prosecco, Sangiovese, Rioja, Chateneuf du Pape, Zinfandel, Legend Bordeaux, Chablis Bouchard and Aussiéres Rouge among others.
Sometimes it is not easy to to find in different establishments a great, complete selection of f with a varied provenance ready to satisfy the most diverse tastes but in that gastropub you wil have the opportunity to taste a wide range coming from France, Italy, Spain, Argentina, Australia, Chile, South Africa among others.
That is a further winning key of that establishment, ideal for people with refined tastes, it is enough to check the wines introduced in the list controlling year of bottling, features which identify a good harvest, classification as DOC guaranteeing the product, all details ensuring a great choice.
Naturally following the old and distinctive traditions of the country you can furthermore enjoy an ample variety selection of national, international, lager and stout beers with the option to try different brands ready to satisfy the most diversified preferences.
Very recommended for a lunch,a dinner with friends, family, to celebrate a birthday, a social meal or different kinds of events, The Black Horse also provides an ample parking with an excellent capacity located immediately outside the establishment, a great facility that place offers.
Very recommended for a lunch,a dinner with friends, family, to celebrate a birthday, a social meal or different kinds of events, The Black Horse also provides an ample parking with an excellent capacity located immediately outside the establishment, a great facility that place offers.
In occasion of a dinner or event with a large number of participants when it is usual to reach a site with several vehicles in some occasions it is not easy to find parking leaving your car at some hundreds of metres and also that is something very appreciated.
Brentwood despite it is not a big centre is pretty interesting, well conserved with very interesting charming buildings, stylish houses erected in different periods, a beautiful Cathedral dedicated to St.Mary and St.Helen next to a good offer in terms of shopping and leisure.
In addition it is is a very famous place very active about musical appointments in which many prominent artists have performed there such as Lee Evans, Chuck Berry and Daniel O´Donnell, the town hosts an annual festival, the Brentwood Festival with a large participation of locals, tourists and visitors from other English counties.
All around the municipality you can visit several centres and villages
which boasts a superb cultural, historic past.
I recommend you some places very captivating as the superb medieval city Colchester famous to be one of the most ancient towns of England and an emblematic Norman castle elevated on the foundations of the temple of Claudius when that centre was the Roman capital of Britain.
The picturesque Epping Forest, charming small centres of Ongar and Navestock are right places to enjoy the great landscapes of the eternally, attractive English countryside highlighted by traditional cottages and stylish mansions which reflect the true, rural scenery of the most captivating Great Britain.
The picturesque Epping Forest, charming small centres of Ongar and Navestock are right places to enjoy the great landscapes of the eternally, attractive English countryside highlighted by traditional cottages and stylish mansions which reflect the true, rural scenery of the most captivating Great Britain.
All around that geographic point you can also admire something more which reflects the old England in all its spirit with scattered agglomerations close to picturesque forests along pleasant roads leading to very nice old villages.
About that I recommend you Havering-atte-Bower, a little gem of the county boasting a notable cultural patrimony and once there do not miss the visit of Bedfords Park, a more than stupendous parkland in its immediate vicinity.
Blackmore is a further chance to discover a very charming village very close to Pilgrims-Hatch, a stunning site with a history closely linked to King Henry VIII. (If you are interested I wrote posts about those three places)
The Black Horse is situated in 420 Ongar Road, you can reach it from London taking the A13 and M25 in direction Stansted Airport driving towards mentioned Colchester following the indications Chelmsford-Brentwood along the A12 and A1023 roads.
I added some useful links if you are planning a tailor made tour in Southern England and concretely in that area where you can visit many attractions, helpful for your plans and itineraries.
If you are in proximity of London and you want to discover other interesting places the County of Essex is packed by a lot of interesting places and in the meantime during a significant route you can also take the chance to have a lunch or a dinner in a traditional, cosy historic gastropub.
The Black Horse is strongly recommended for its quality, services, location,a splendid place to breathe the traditional atmosphere of the country in a marvellous area will enchant you.
Francesco Mari
Useful links
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Thanks a lot to read and note.