The Compasses at Pattiswick

This delightfully rustic north Essex pub/restaurant seemingly sits in the middle of nowhere, surrounded by fields & hedgerows, but is in fact just off the main A120 Colchester-Stansted road, west of Coggeshall. It’s a large, hugely atmospheric place – the building dates back to the 18th century – run by a friendly crew who go out of their way to welcome families with a please-all menu of simple, fresh, home-cooked food. Ingredients are as local as possible, including local game from the Pattiswick estate. The menu could include half pint of prawns & Marie Rose sauce, Cumberland sausage & mash, & spotted dick with custard, as well as creamy garlic wild mushrooms on brioche, duck breast & vegetable stir-fry with ginger & sesame noodles, & French toast with winter berries & Jane Hadley’s vanilla ice-cream.