Tower Arms, South Weald

Named after the Tower family, owners of Weald Hall, who bought the estate in 1752 and whose emblem is over the front doorway. This fine red brick building is dated 1704 and has been a pub since 1921. The central passage has original full height panelling, a counter which presumably dates from 1921, and the original service bells. The main bar counter of similar origin is situated in the front of two former rooms on the left which are now knocked together; bar back fittings are modern. The rear area has plain match-board dado panelling and in the remains of the wall between the two parts is what looks like a tiny serving hatch. Prior to 1921 it is likely that the rear room was the kitchen and the front a dining room. Note the rare pub game of Ring the Bull at the rear. The two rooms on the right retains their original full height panelling and are now linked with a modern folding partition replacing the wall. The rear part has a modern food bar and there is a conservatory-style extension at the rear.