With such a bubbly manager, Sandy Castle, at the helm and her hand-picked, sociable team, a warm welcome and a bit of banter are guaranteed when you step inside The Fatling on Hornchurch High Street.

“We are a proper traditional pub. We have live music three times a week.

“We do anything and everything we can around the community, supporting all community events.

“Everything that happens in Hornchurch, happens here, outside on my beer terrace. We have visiting markets, Santa is based here for Christmas shoppers, choir singers are here, Havering Town Centre Forum and I head up the local Pub Watch,” said manager Sandy Castle.

Three centuries old, the pub formerly called The Bull, was an old coaching inn.

“This area was agricultural until about a hundred years ago, so the pub would have been a coach house in a rural village on the way into London,” said Sandy.

Its recent past has been somewhat rather more colourful. In the 60s and 70s, the pub was renowned for its racy, topless barmaids. At different times it was also a rockers’ and a bikers’ pub.

The Fatling and Firkin, to give the pub its full and current name, is owned by Stonegate Pub Company. It is Cask Marque accredited and offers a 20% discount to CAMRA members. Several draught real ales are on the bar and one is always brewed by Brentwood Brewery.

Food is served all day, everyday, so head chef Sue Rowe runs a busy kitchen. The menu caters for varied tastes offering breakfast, sandwiches, and burgers as well as traditional pub meals, Tapas and Sunday Roasts. There is a children’s menu too.

The pub’s ever-popular Christmas Festive Menu offers two courses for £13.99 or three for £15.99. There are four starters, six mains and four dessert options to choose from including vegetarian dishes. Obviously Roast Turkey features but so too does a Festive Burger which is served with chipolata and chips.

For Christmas parties of 10 or more a Party Buffet menu is also available at £8.99 per person.

Booking is essential for both the Festive and Party Buffet Menu along with a deposit of £5 per person.

Other special offers include a sandwich and a drink for £2.75 as well as two main meals for £10 from the special offer menu, which is always available.

Sandy said: “I have a big, friendly team of 38 staff. We’re here to not just serve you but to make sure you are delighted with your experience so you’ll return to The Fatling again and again.”

Anyone with an appetite for spotting TOWIE cast members could get lucky as it has been known for the occasional few to pop into The Fatling.

At weekends there is free entry to live music showcasing the best of local bands as well as DJ Howie, playing a mix of hits from the last three decades, which is why Friday and Saturday evenings can get particularly busy.

Brentwood Beer & Food Match Suggestion:

A refreshing pint of Brentwood Gold 4.3% ABV teamed with one of The Fatling’s glorious pies like their Chicken, Leek and Brie combination. British chicken breast and buttered leeks in a creamy Cheddar sauce with melted Brie, encased in hot water crust pastry and topped with a puff pastry lid served with buttered mash or chips and a selection of seasonal vegetables for £9.00.

Opening Times:

Monday – Thursday 9am – 11pm Friday – Saturday 9am – midnight
Sunday noon – 11pm.

The Fatling, 109 High Street, Hornchurch, Essex, RM11 1TX 01708 442125

Love Beer, Love Brentwood