Don't judge this Ember Inns pub by its slightly tired exterior — inside, the Huntsman & Hounds is exactly what a proper neighbourhood local should be. The staff here are the real draw, with reviewers naming them individually (shoutout to Emma, Marcie, and Steve), and the Sunday roast is genuinely worth the trip to Corbets Tey. Come for the spacious beer garden on a sunny afternoon, stay for pub grub that punches well above its chain-pub expectations.
A proper neighbourhood pub where staff get named in reviews and the Sunday roast earns its reputation — don't let the tired exterior fool you.
Go for the Sunday roast and grab a table in the beer garden if the weather's good — it fills up on weekends so arrive early.
A proper local that earns its stripes on service and Sunday roasts
The Huntsman & Hounds won't bowl you over on first impressions — several reviewers mention the exterior looks a bit dark and tired — but push through the door and you'll find exactly what a good local pub should be: friendly faces behind the bar, a comfortable interior, and food that lands well above expectations for a chain pub. Staff like Emma, Marcie, and Steve get called out by name in reviews, which tells you everything about the level of service here. It's the kind of place where you're made to feel like a regular on your first visit.
The Sunday roast is the standout — Tripadvisor reviewers specifically praise it — and the beer garden is a real draw in warmer months, described as spacious and pleasant for a sunny afternoon. The menu is your standard Ember Inns fare: burgers, grills, pub classics, with vegetarian and vegan options that actually get a nod from diners. Food arrives promptly even when the pub is busy, which is more than you can say for plenty of places charging more.
It's ranked #12 of 81 restaurants in Upminster on Tripadvisor with over 470 reviews, and the 4.6 Google rating from 337 reviews backs that up. This isn't a gastropub or a craft beer temple — it's a proper neighbourhood pub doing the basics right, and that's exactly why people love it.