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Viper, Mill Green

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Recently renovated to a high standard and in keeping with in the character of this isolated unspoilt Grade II listed country pub. The public bar and saloon are both split into two areas including a wood-panelled snug with service via a hatch/door and a pitch penny bench. The Saloon bar area has exposed beams and a selection of cosy sitting areas. A new larger room "The Boars Head" has been added to the rear of the pub.

Food is available seven days a week, the menu includes light bites, sandwiches, main meals and desserts with vegetarian options. Large outside garden area with benches. A very dog friendly pub. Beer Festivals are held every May and August.

Information for this venue is provided by the Chelmsford & Mid Essex Branch of CAMRA
Previous Names
Local Authority
Brentwood District (B)
Last updated
02/03/2025
Last surveyed
21/01/2025
Leasehold owner
unknown
Freehold owner
Private Individual
Pub ID
CME/10945
Asset of Community Value

Three star - A pub interior of outstanding national historic importance

Listed status: II

UPDATE 2023  After a significant period of closure and a major refurbishment, the pub recently reopened. Initial reports indicate than a very good job has been done with the key historic features all retained.

A delightful secluded pub set amidst extensive woodland. Two doors face you. That on the left leads to the tap room which is really the star attraction. It is a small space with seating round three sides near the window, a hatch to the servery, and, what appear to be refitting from around 1930, a parquet floor and brick fireplace. Set in the bench seating is a hole and associated drawer for the now-rare game of pitch penny. Left of this space is a much more recent public bar with a modern counter. The second outside door leads into what is called a private bar, although this is a rather big space and became linked in post-war times to an area on the far right. A panelled bar counter serves both spaces. The front window on the far right replaced a door which was closed following subsidence after a hot, dry 1970s summer.

General information about historic pub interiors

Originally two cottages, with extensions added to the left-and-right and now a four-room pub. The great feature here is the small tap room (centre left) with service via a door-cum-hatch. The fittings are very simple fittings: just left of the entrance is a timber screen behind which a tiny drinking area with seats round three sides: one of these benches has a has a hole in it the traditional pub game of tossing the penny, and a drawer beneath for collecting successfully tossed coins. The herringbone parquet flooring and brick fireplace probably date from around 1930. Basic pub rooms existed like this in their thousands – but now they are a great rarity thanks to 'progress'|! The public bar on the far left became part of the pub later and retains its wall bench seating: the counter is probably relatively recent.

The room on the right labelled ‘Private Bar’ changed to its present style in the post-war period when it was decided to bring the fourth room into public use and add the counter, still in an inter-war style, spanning the two right-hand rooms. The plaster was removed from the two right-hand rooms in the late 1970s and the fireplace in the private bar is from this time. The window at the front on the far right was formerly the site of a doorway but this was closed following subsidence and movement after one of the hot, dry summers in the 1970s. The pub was run by the Beard family from 1938 to 2005. The pub holds beer festivals (50+ beers) over four days on Easter weekend and the August Bank Holiday weekend.

General information about historic pub interiors
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Sunday
11:00am - 11:00pm
Monday
11:00am - 11:00pm
Tuesday
11:00am - 11:00pm
Wednesday
11:00am - 11:00pm
Thursday
11:00am - 11:00pm
Friday
11:00am - 11:00pm
Saturday
11:00am - 11:00pm
Sunday
Noon - 6:00pm
Monday
Noon - 3:00pm & 6:00pm - 9:00pm
Tuesday
Noon - 3:00pm & 6:00pm - 9:00pm
Wednesday
Noon - 3:00pm & 6:00pm - 9:00pm
Thursday
Noon - 3:00pm & 6:00pm - 9:00pm
Friday
Noon - 3:00pm & 6:00pm - 9:00pm
Saturday
Noon - 9:00pm

Current beers

This Pub serves 2 changing beers and 2 regular beers.

Regular and recently seen
Mighty Oak - Oscar Wilde
Mighty Oak - Oscar Wilde Mild • 3.7% Spotted 24 times
Mighty Oak - Oscar Wilde
Mighty Oak - Oscar Wilde

Mild

Dispense: Handpump
ABV: 3.7%
Vegan: No
Gluten Free: No
This beer is served regularly.
Spotted 24 times
Oakham - Citra
Oakham - Citra Session Golden Ale • 4.2% Spotted 29 times
Oakham - Citra
Silver Award
Oakham - Citra

Session Golden Ale

Dispense: Handpump
ABV: 4.2%
Vegan: No
Gluten Free: No
This beer is served regularly.
Spotted 29 times recently. Last spotted 5 days ago
Changing

Changing beers typically include: Nethergate (varies)

Source: National


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Facilities
Lunchtime Meals Lunchtime Meals
Evening Meals Evening Meals
Food now available seven days a week.
Live Music Live Music
Garden Garden
Family Friendly Family Friendly
Parking Parking
Dog Friendly Dog Friendly
Events Events
Function Room Function Room
Games Games
Pitch Penny bench.
Real Fire Real Fire
Separate Bar Separate Bar
Wi Fi Wi Fi
Free
Features
Real Ale Real Ale
Real Cider Real Cider
From Celtic Marches
Real Heritage Pub Real Heritage Pub
LocAle LocAle
Cask Marque Cask Marque
Beer Festival Beer Festival
Held every May & August
Quiet Quiet
Cask Marque Beer and Cellar Hygiene rating
Cask Marque: Beer and Cellar Hygiene rating 5 out of 5
Transport
Close to bus routes (3200m)
First: 351
Closest station (3500m)
Ingatestone

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