About This Pub
Ah, the Bull Inn in Hockley – it's one of those places that just feels like a proper British pub, you know? Tucked away near Rayleigh Mount, it's got that cosy, welcoming vibe where you can pop in for a pint or settle in for a full meal. From what I've gathered chatting about it, the service really shines; the team there are dead helpful, sorting out allergies without a fuss and making sure everything arrives piping hot. Dishes like the lamb rump and duo of chicken sound like absolute winners, with folks saying they've been upgraded to something special. It's brilliant for special occasions too – imagine tucking into a traditional Sunday roast or enjoying the new spring-summer menu in the beer garden on a sunny day. But, let's be honest, it's not all roses; a few mates have mentioned the food can be a bit hit or miss, with some greasy or bland options that don't live up to the hype. Still, with so many happy experiences overall, I'd say it's worth giving it a go if you're in Essex – just keep your expectations balanced and you might end up with a cracking night out!
Pros and Cons
Pros
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The service is absolutely spot on – staff like Shannon and Ally go out of their way to make you feel welcome and handle special requests with ease.
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The food can be a real treat, with standout dishes like the lamb rump and duo of chicken that folks rave about, especially after the recent upgrades.
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It's a cosy country pub with a warm, inviting atmosphere, perfect for family gatherings, birthdays, or even Christmas dinners, complete with thoughtful touches like gifts for kids.
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Great location near Rayleigh Mount, offering a peaceful setting and seasonal menus that make it ideal for lazy afternoons in the beer garden.
Cons
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Food quality isn't always consistent; some meals, like the chicken strips or fish and chips, have been described as greasy, tasteless, or just not up to par.
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Despite the high praise, there are occasional letdowns with dishes that don't quite hit the mark, which might leave you a bit disappointed if you're expecting perfection every time.
Contact Information
99 Main Rd, Hockley SS5 4RN
+441702203122
Pub
Open Now
Opening Hours
Monday | 11:00 - 23:00 |
Tuesday | 11:00 - 23:00 |
Wednesday | 11:00 - 23:00 |
Thursday | 11:00 - 23:00 |
Friday (Today) | 09:00 - 23:00 |
Saturday | 09:00 - 23:00 |
Sunday | 09:00 - 22:30 |
Recent Reviews
What an amazing experience!
Service has been brilliant, food was out of this world! (Not something I usually say!)
We had the lamb rump special and duo of chicken, what a difference.. they had this on the menu before the change of ownership and boy have these been upgraded. Truly incredible meals 😋
All serviced by Karen, just brilliant!
We'll be back..
Shannon was our server last night and was outstanding. We had 2 in our party with many allergies and she was considerate of those and nothing was too much trouble.
We all enjoyed a lovely meal for my dad’s birthday. Will definitely be coming again soon.
We were served by the lovely Ally who looked after us extremely well throughout our meal. Food came up hot, only a short wait and was impressed that we were asked for our choice of sauces and these were then served up with the meal and we weren’t left waiting whilst our meals were getting cold. We had the roasts which were plentiful, tasty and very enjoyable. We ate at 6pm on a Sunday and everything was available on the menu so we were not disappointed. Thank you for making us so welcome. We will be back. 😊
Great location and service however the food has been really poor for some time.
Unfortunately I have run out of chances to give them.
Chicken strips is 90% batter and the fish and chips was old, tasteless and full of oil.
Sorry to leave back feedback but it has so much potential.
This is the second year running we’ve eaten at the Bull on Christmas Day. It’s so much better getting someone else to do all the cooking so we can enjoy the day and gain precious time back with the children. Not to mention you pulled the stops out this year with gifts for the children and entertainment for them. Karen our waitress was very attentive to our needs and the dinner was yummy. Thank you for nailing it once again.
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