Cider Pub Guide to Beds Bucks and Herts

From Ukcider

This is a list of pubs in the three South East England counties of Bedfordshire, Buckinghamshire and Hertfordshire that offer a traditional cider and/or perry. Outlets for real cider come and go, so if travelling it may be advisable to ring ahead and check these details are correct. After your visit, do please report back any updates to the information presented here by editing the page yourself using the Edit tab at the top.
Count: 39 entries Part of the UK Cider_Pub_Guide

Contents 1 Bedfordshire 1.1 Astwick 1.2 Bedford 1.3 Dunstable 1.4 Henlow 2 Buckinghamshire 2.1 Amersham 2.2 Aylesbury 2.3 Beaconsfield - Forty Green 2.4 Chalfont St Giles 2.5 Chesham 2.6 Dagnall 2.7 Hawridge Common 2.8 Hedgerley 2.9 Ley Hill 2.10 Little Missenden 2.11 Marsworth 2.12 Terrick 2.13 Wooburn Common 3 Hertfordshire 3.1 Ayot St Lawrence 3.2 Berkhamsted 3.3 Benington 3.4 Hemel Hempstead 3.5 Heronsgate 3.6 Hertford 3.7 Hitchin 3.8 Letchworth Garden City 3.9 Old Knebworth 3.10 Potten End 3.11 Preston 3.12 Rickmansworth 3.13 St Paul's Walden 3.14 Stevenage 3.14.1 Broadwater 3.14.2 Old Town 3.15 Tring 3.16 Welwyn Garden City 3.17 Woolmer Green 3.18 Other sites

Bedfordshire

5 outlets listed

Astwick

• The Tudor Oaks, 1 Taylors Road Tel. 01462 834133

A rare cider and perry outlet in the area. A hotel with restaurant and bar open to non-residents, just by the A1 north of Baldock. Usually has at least one cider and a perry, as well as a range of real ales. Paul Gunningham

They seem to think they're in Herfortshire? http://www.tudoroakslodge.co.uk/ --Andy 11:01, 22 Apr 2005 (BST)

Astwick is definitely in Beds, and is listed as such in the GCG, but it's close to the Herts border, just north of Baldock. For some curious reason known only to Royal Mail it comes under the Hitchin postal area rather than the nearer postal town of Letchworth (although that's in Herts too so would still give it a Herts postal address!) Paul Gunningham

Bedford

• The Wellington Arms, Wellington St, Bedford MK40 2JA

Award-winning pub, rightly famed for its range of British and continental ales, now has Weston's Old Rosie and perry available. GBG listed. Paul Gunningham

• The Pilgrims Progress, 42 Midland Road, Bedford. Tel. 01234 363751

Typical large and featureless town-centre Wetherspoons (a former furniture showroom) without much to commend it apart from the usual 'Spoons lower than average prices - but it now has draught Old Rosie, and bottled Thatchers Perry and a bottled Westons cider. Paul Gunningham

Dunstable

• The Globe 43 Winfield St, Dunstable, Bedfordshire LU6 1LS Tel. 01582 512300

Weston's Old Rosie, Vintage Organic and Herefordshire Country Perry website

Henlow

• The Engineers Arms, 68 High St. Henlow, Beds SG16 6AA

This well-known CAMRA award-winning pub (Beds CAMRA POTY 2005) now has a real cider (sometimes perry) on offer alongside its wide range of real ales. Occasional live music and festivals. GBG listed. See www.engineersarms.co.uk for more information. Paul Gunningham

Buckinghamshire

21 entries, including some shops

Amersham

• Eagle, High Street, Old Amersham, Bucks HP7 0DY. Tel: 01494 725262.

Addlestones on handpump (not ideal, but better than keg cider). Up for sale because the directors of the pubco are emigrating: an opening for some lobbying by real cider enthusiasts? Colin Mills

• Iceland supermarket, 75 Sycamore Road, Amersham, Bucks HP6 5EQ. Tel: 01494 431414

Country Manor perry in 3-litre winebox. Not sure whether this is going to be a regular line; includes sugar. Colin Mills

• Tesco supermarket, London Road, Old Amersham, Bucks. Tel: 0845 6779000

Wide range of bottled ciders and Westons in a winebox. Located on the site on the former Bowyers pie factory, in an undistinguished pagoda-like building, but don't let that put you off. Colin Mills

• Wine Rack, 17 Hill Avenue, Amersham, Bucks. Tel: 01494 727269

Bottled cider seems to have made a welcome return to the Thresher's chain in the form of Aspall's Dry and Thatcher's varietal. Colin Mills

Aylesbury

• The Farmers' Bar,King's Head, Market Square Tel: 01296 718812

Beautifully set 15th century pub, owned by the National Trust run by the Chiltern Brewery. Award winning beer & food pub. Cider available draught keg Stowford Press, bottled Westons Organic, Henry Weston's bottle fermented cider & Weston's Perry. All food is made freshly on site wonderfully incorporating ciders & ales into as many items as possible. Food served every lunchtime & every evening except Sunday & Monday.

• Hop Pole, Bicester Road

Newly refurbished by the Vale Brewery and marketed as "Aylesbury's permanent beer festival". Cider is bottled Thatchers (Katy and Old Rascal on June 2006 visit) plus Swanvale draught keg cider. Food every day except Sunday evening.

Beaconsfield - Forty Green

• The Royal Standard of England, hidden between Beaconsfield and Penn

Forty Green, Bucks HP9 1XT 01494 673382 http://www.rsoe.co.uk

Oldest Freehouse in England serving Westons Old Rosie, Westons Perry and Stowford Press

Chalfont St Giles

• Fox & Hounds, Silver Hill, Chalfont St Giles, Bucks HP8 4PS. Tel: 01494 872151

Small village pub up a steep side street from the village green well-used by the local community. Westons Old Rosie served. Kevin Mak

• Merlin's Cave, High Street, Chalfont St Giles, Bucks HP8 4QF. Tel: 01494 875101

Large pub on the village green with a large sheltered patio with a number of screens showing sporting events. Westons Old Rosie served. Kevin Mak

Chesham

• Grape and Grain, 84 Broad Street, Chesham, Bucks HP5 3ED. Tel: 01494 692319

Offie with excellent range of bottled beers and ciders; Weston's Old Rosie on draught (manacube). Colin Mills

• Sainsburys supermarket, Elgiva Lane, Chesham, Bucks HP5 2YA. Tel: 01494 793052.

Access off the Broadway. Range of bottled ciders. Colin Mills

• Waitrose supermarket, The Backs, Chesham, Bucks HP5 1DR. Tel: 01494 791711.

Pedestrian access from Broad Street. Wide range of bottled ciders and perries. Colin Mills

Dagnall

• Golden Rule, Main Road South, Dagnall, Bucks HP4 1QX. Tel: 01442 843227

Small village pub serving the local community on the road leading to Hemel Hempstead. Westons Old Rosie served. Kevin Mak

Hawridge Common

• Rose & Crown, Vale Road, Hawridge Common, Bucks HP5 2UG. Tel: 01494 758944.

Mid-Chilterns CAMRA Cider Pub of the Year 2007, serving at least two different ciders and perries from small producers via manacube. Kevin Mak

Hedgerley

• The White Horse, Hedgerley, BEACONSFIELD, Bucks SL2 3UY. Tel: 01753 643225. Grid ref: SU 971875.

A vibrant, award-winning village free house in a Grade II, 15th century building. There are always several real ales and a couple of real ciders available, with more on offer at the renowned Spring Bank Holiday beer festival. Roy Bailey

Ley Hill

• Crown, Ley Hill Common, Chesham, Bucks HP5 1UY. Tel: 01494 783910.

Addlestone's on handpump served to a young clientele with occasional live music. Kevin Mak

• Swan, Ley Hill Common, Chesham, Bucks HP5 1UT. Tel: 01494 783075.

Addlestone's on handpump (not ideal, but better than keg cider). Colin Mills

Little Missenden

• Red Lion, Little Missenden, Bucks HP7 0QZ. Tel: 01494 862876.

Addlestone's on handpump (not ideal, but better than keg cider). Colin Mills

• Crown, Little Missenden, Bucks HP7 0RD. Tel 01494 862571

Westons cider on manacube; bottled Thatchers varietals all the year round. Colin Mills

Marsworth

• Red Lion, 90 Vicarage Road, Marsworth, Bucks HP23 4LU. Tel. 01296 668366.

Open Mon-Fri 11-3, 5-11; Sat 11-3, 6-11; Sun 12-3, 7-10.30. Stocks Weston's Great Western Revival in barrel; Weston's Extra Dry, Medium Dry, Wintage Reserve in bottle. Colin Mills

Terrick

• The Chiltern Brewery, Nash Lee Road, Terrick, Aylesbury, Bucks HP17 0TQ. Tel: 01296 613647.

E-mail: enquiries@chilternbrewery.co.uk

Buckinghamshire's oldest surviving brewery with a shop that sells an enormous range of beer related foods (try the onions pickled in hopped vinegar!), the brewery's ales on draught and in bottle, and ciders and perries in bottle and flagon from Westons, Sheppys and Lambourn Valley. Roy Bailey

Wooburn Common

• The Royal Standard, Wooburn Common Road , HP10 0JS (01628521121)

Mr. Whitehead's Heart Of Hampshire available from polycask as well as a good range of real ales. To find the pub follow brown signs for Odds Farm Park.

Hertfordshire

15 entries - This list is now believed to contain all known cider/perry outlets in Hertfordshire (as of 13th November 2005) - unless you know different?

Ayot St Lawrence

• The Brocket Arms, Ayot St Lawrence, Welwyn, Herts. AL6 9BT. Tel. 01438 820250

Old Rosie served on handpump. Remote and idyllic pub, near to Shaw's Corner, the National Trust property where George Bernard Shaw lived. Large walled garden and decent real ale selection for non-cider drinkers. Justin Petty

Berkhamsted

• Berkhamsted Town FC Broadwater, Lower Kings Road HP4 2AA Tel. 01442 862815

The bar at Berkhamsted Town FC's ground served Thatchers Gold last time I visited in August 2004. Not sure of opening hours though, phone for more info. Website links direct to directions and map page, near Berkhamsted BR Station Russell Cox

• Cook's Delight, 360-364 High Street, Berkhamsted, Herts, HP4 1HU. Tel 01442 863584

Small health food shop selling a wide range of organic produce including bottled-contioned ales, ciders and perries from a wide range of small producers. Located at the Northchurch end of the High Street. Kevin Mak

• Crown, 145 High Street, Berkhamsted, Herts, HP4 3HH. Tel 01442 863993

Wetherspoon pub on the busy high street serving Westons Old Rosie on manacube plus a variety of bottled ciders and perries. Kevin Mak

• Rising Sun, George Street, Berkhamsted, Herts, HP4 2EG. Tel 01442 864913

Addlestone's cider on handpump served in a canalside pub. Kevin Mak

Benington

• The Lordship Arms 42 Whempstead Road. Tel. 01438 869665

Excellent and well-run country pub, whose landlord takes a genuine pride in the quality of his fine range of real ale and cider. There is always a cider on, and the brand varies. Fairly remote pub, at the opposite end of the village from the well-known local attraction Benington Lordship. Paul Gunningham

Hemel Hempstead

• Full House, 128 Marlowes, High Street, Herts HP7 0DZ. Tel. 01442 266512. On a visit in July 2004, found it stocked Weston's Strong Medium Dry in bottle. Will post update when I get a chance to survey it. Colin Mills

Heronsgate

• Land of Liberty, Peace and Plenty, Long Lane, Heronsgate, near Chorleywood, Herts WD3 5BS. Tel. 01923 282226. In January 2004, stocked Weston's Scrumpy in a barrel on the bar, but since taken over by a Watford CAMRA member who said (early Feb '05) he plans to have Weston's Cider in 25 litre barrels, in the summer at least. Colin Mills

It had Old Rosie & Westons Perry in Dec 05. The name commemorates a nearby Chartist (19th cent.) commune. Jon Gurney

Hertford

• The Old Cross, 8 St Andrew Street, Hertford SG14 1JA

Pub opened only a few years ago, but you wouldn't know it! Attractive town centre pub offering a real cider and range of ales. Lunches served (not Sundays). GBG listed. Paul Gunningham

Hitchin

• The Sunrunner, Bancroft, Hitchin. Tel. 01462 440717

Popular town-centre pub which can get busy, especially on Wednesday evening when they have live music. Sometimes has more than one cider on. Also has a range of real ales (typically about half a dozen) and they do food as well. Can no longer claim to be the only Hitchin pub serving real cider - see below! Paul Gunningham

• The Half Moon, Queen St, Hitchin, Herts

Voted the Most Improved Pub of the Year 2005 by the local CAMRA branch, and it's easy to see why. Licensees Howard and Wendy are both CAMRA members and have transformed this formerly somewhat dull pub into a magnet for cider and ale drinkers. Now has three or four real ales on handpump, and Weston's Old Rosie cider and Country perry served from polycask or polypin. Good home-produced food served at very reasonable prices. Beer (or Cider!) garden at rear. The pub hosts occasional beer festivals, with cider and perry of course! The Half Moon is next door to the Lord Lister Hotel, at the mini-roundabout junction with Bridge Street. Things seem to be looking up for Herts scrumpophiles! Paul Gunningham

• Waitrose, The Lairage, Bedford Road, Hitchin, Hertfordshire SG5 2UG

Town-centre supermarket stocking the usual range of bottled ciders from Dunkerton's, Sheppy's, etc. (Well, if everyone else is going to count supermarkets as pubs, why shouldn't we? ;-))

Letchworth Garden City

• Caffeine, Station Rd, Letchworth SG6 3BQ

A licensed coffee bar on the corner of the Arcade and Station Road, Letchworth. "We sell westons ciders at caffeine coffee bar in Letchworth, we currently have 6 different types on offer from Special vintage and old rosie scrumpy, to cider and lemongrass all by the bottle" Also venue for a Folk Club (although note the folk club is often held at nearby venue The Place - check before attending!)
(above info out of date - folk club has long since moved to Baldock)

Old Knebworth

• The Lytton Arms, Park Lane, Old Knebworth. Tel. 01438 812312

Perennially popular pub with a wide range of real ale, and usually a few different ciders available at any one time, generally Biddenden Bushels or Dry and Moles Black Rat. Worth seeking out if you are in the area - an ideal place to visit after a walk around Knebworth Park. A 20-minute walk from Knebworth station. Paul Gunningham

Potten End

• The Plough, Plough Lane, Potten End, Herts HP4 2QS. Tel. 01442 865391 or 01442 876409 according to directories, but these don't seem to work, nor does the website www.ploughpub.com - anyone any information? Served Addlestones on handpump in March 2004, same earlier this year. Many will turn their noses up at this; depends how thirsty you are, certainly better than keg cider. My information is that it is still open. Colin Mills
  

...by the way that web address is very old now, for the last couple years we can be found at www.pottenend.com/plough ... the number 01442 865391 does get us these days as well, sorry the site is rather out of date, we'll update it shortly i'm sure. we look forward to welcoming you!! Nathan Eight

Preston

• The Red Lion, The Green, Preston, near Hitchin, Herts, SG4 7UD. Tel. +44 (0)1462 459585

Deservedly popular and award-winning village local, in idyllic setting, and current (2005) CAMRA Pub of the Year for the area. Has draught Newton's (Newton Court) Herefordshire cider (straight from the cellar), as well as an ever-changing range of about 4 or 5 real ales. Experienced landlord Tim keeps all his ales and cider in superb condition. The food is excellent too, and there's a lovely garden for outside drinking - a proper one unspoilt by kiddies' playground paraphernalia, although there's plenty of room away from the tables for the young 'uns to romp around in safety, without annoying the adults! Paul Gunningham

Update 31-07-2005: Sadly there was no cider there today, but I was told it had temporarily run out and new supplies would be in soon. Bad news for me on the day, but good news for the viability of cider sales in this area! Paul Gunningham

Rickmansworth

See Heronsgate entry above: Heronsgate is in the outskirts of Rickmansworth.

St Paul's Walden

• The Strathmore Arms, St Paul's Walden, Nr. Hitchin, Herts (on the western side of the B651 north of Whitwell)

A pub which has been revolutionised since being taken over by the present landlord Danny. Now serving a range of real ales and cider (but possibly cider in the summer only). Hosts occasional beer festivals. Food available lunchtimes (except Mondays) and some evenings - booking advised. Paul Gunningham

6/11/2005: They had Orchards Perry today, but no cider

Stevenage

Broadwater

• Our Mutual Friend, Broadwater Crescent, Stevenage SG2 8EH. Tel +44(0)1438 312282

Pub given a new lease of life a few years ago when it was taken over by a small group of ale and cider enthusiasts. Now has real cider (ever changing range) and a range of real ales. Food available. GBG listed. Paul Gunningham

Old Town

• Waitrose, 74a High Street, Stevenage, Hertfordshire SG1 3EH

Supermarket in the old town with range of bottled ciders, some worth drinking, e.g. Dunkerton's, Sheppy's

Tring

• King's Arms, King Street, Tring, Herts HP23 6BE. Tel: 01442 823818

Previous Mid-Chilterns CAMRA Pub of the Year. Thatcher's varietals in bottle all the year round; draught Westons Scrumpy on handpump. Kevin Mak

Welwyn Garden City

• Waitrose, Bridge Road, Welwyn Garden City, Hertfordshire AL8 6AB Tel: 01707 373400

Town centre supermarket with usual range of bottled ciders, some worth drinking, e.g. Dunkerton's, Sheppy's

Woolmer Green

• Chequers Inn 16 London Road, Woolmer Green, Knebworth, Hertfordshire, SG3 6JP

Old Rosie is permanently on now.

Other sites

• Mid-Chilterns CAMRA cider information

• CAMRA North Herts cider listings

• South Bedfordshire Cider & Perry listing

Have you found the information on this page useful? Do return after you've visited the pubs, and update the site with any changes.

Cider Pub Guide index

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