Home > Essex > North Weald > Queens Head Queens Head

Picture source: Hania Franek

The Queens Head was present by 1848 when the publican was George Pegrum. The pub was destroyed by fire during an arson attack in 2002.

Local newspaper review by John Cutting, 1967

There is no doubt that the Queen's Head at North Weald is centuries old but, within the well lighted saloon lounge, the decor is strikingly modern. Not for Bramley and Isabella Crook the subdued and mellow atmosphere of the past. The new lounge, completed only six months ago, radiates warmth and light and matches perfectly the friendly greeting which all customers receive on entering the inn. A photograph taken many years ago shows the Queen's Head as a rather dismal Essex boarded building whereas today the cement-rendered walls and wooden porch make an attractive picture in the middle of the village. The Queen's Head was reconstructed in 1926 and a plaque on the outside wall, unveiled that year in the presence of Edith Maud Pegrum the landlady, commemorates the fact that for 84 years her family had been connected with the inn. Later Jack Bisley was in command for a period of 24 years until Bramley Crook took over as tenant in 1963. The old photograph, which is unfortunately undated, shows a number of customers proudly posed in front of the inn, no doubt to celebrate some festive occasion. In the foreground two voluminously clothed ladies, apparently unaware that they were in the picture, show a lively curiosity. A water colour painting in the public bar dated 1915 depicts the inn as a delightful cottage with few other buildings in the vicinity. Today the lounge floor is covered with an original and striking carpet and on the wall is an outstanding tapestry, French in sentiment if not in fact. The scene is sylvan and may have been inspired by the Petit Trianon at Versailles. The Spanish dolls over the bar, are reminders of past holidays and an Italian donkey, complete with grape paniers, proves that the art of making "corn dollies" is not confined to England. The room is comfortably furnished with upholstered benches and stools and along the walls highly polished brass and copperware reflect the flames in the modern fireplace. During the recent alterations a well, 20 feet deep and five feet wide, was discovered. Even after a long but unknown period of oblivion the shaft was still full of pure water but, having no useful part to play, the well was obliterated by pouring in ten yards of concrete. Every Sunday, at lunch time, crowds come to the Queen's Head to take part in a largescale raffle organised by Bramley Crook. The prizes are valuable but, each week £1 from the takings is put aside to provide the old people of North Weald with a special Christmas treat. Outside the inn there is a delightful beer garden complete with lily pond around which next summer, weather permitting, many people will sample the joys of alfresco drinking. The Queen's Head is regularly visited by survivors of the famous 23 Squadron and others who, flying from the local airfield, gained immortal fame during the war. In those hectic days all the local inns witnessed many rumbustious and noisy parties. The great feature at the Queen's Head today is the wonderful display of modern electrical cooking equipment behind the bar. Presiding over this miniature but perfect kitchen, Isabella Crook provides a wide variety of meals. Lunches are served every weekday while from Monday to Thursday a fine selection of grills and snacks are on the menu each evening. The brewers have built a magnificent extractor plant which ensures that no cooking smells ever pervade the lounge. Side by side below stand an infra-red griddle and grill, a deep-frying unit and a bain-marie. The meals are excellent and the Queen's Head is rapidly attracting an ever-increasing number of customers who enjoy eating informal meals in comfortable surroundings. It seems that drinking habits are changing and more and more the modern inn is reverting to the position it held in the gracious days of old when it was the place to enjoy both food and drink in cheerful company. "And truly has it been said that 'A man hath no better thing under the sun than to eat, and to drink, and to be merry.'"

Brewers: Mann, Crossman & Paulin Ltd

Do you have any anecdotes, historical information, updates or photos of this pub? Become a contributor by submitting them here.

Contacts: (Click on name to make contact via email. Email doesn't open? Right click and copy link into your preferred email app.)

Were you a customer, publican or member of staff at this pub? Display your email contact details on this page by adding them here and let past regulars get in touch with you.

Name Dates Comments Mike Couling 1970 I worked part time behind the bar.

Other Photos

Picture source: Hania Franek