Braintree and Witham: The best pubs to visit this Bank Holiday

During lockdown one thing many of us missed most is the trip to our favourite watering hole.

The pandemic has devastated the hospitality industry with pubs and restaurants forced to close for months.

Thankfully, pubs and restaurants are open to serve food and drink outside.

Read more:

• Fun things to do in the district this Bank Holiday weekend

Braintree and Witham have no shortage of brilliant pubs, so we asked you which is your favourite.

Here are some of them.

The White Hart Hotel, Witham

The White Hart

The family operated hotel and public house has been in the heart of Witham for more than 600 years.

Readers raved about the beer garden, friendly staff and community atmosphere.

Boars Head, Braintree

The Boars Head, Braintree

This town centre pub is popular for its beer garden.

After the second lockdown landlord Stuart Buckley hit out at the tiered rules as people had to order a "substantial meal" alongside alcohol.

Read more:

• 'These rules are a disgrace': Landlord on why he won't be reopening popular pub today.

But these rules have been scrapped under the new restrictions.

King William IV, Braintree

King William IV

This traditional pub on the edge of Braintree reopened in 2009 after being shut for two years.

They serve a range of Cask Real Ales and Ciders, wines, spirits.

Although they don't offer cooked meals punters can enjoy snacks in the gardens.

Horse and Groom, Braintree

Horse and Groom

The Horse and Groom is a well-known pub in the town centre with a beer garden and classic pub grub.

The Green King venue also hosts beer festivals and music events.

The Fox on the Green, Finchingfield

The Fox on the Green

Outside of Braintree is this 16th century inn overlooking Finchingfield green and duck pond.

Throughout lockdown the pub offered takeaway meals 'Fox in a Box' of pub classics including grazing platters and roasts.