Now that summer is here and the pubs are reopening, head to one of these Saffron Walden and Great Dunmow pubs for a beer in the sun.

Saffron Walden Reporter: The beer garden at The Plough, Great Chesterford. Photo: Andra Maciuca.The beer garden at The Plough, Great Chesterford. Photo: Andra Maciuca. (Image: Andra Maciuca)

The Plough

High Street, Great ChesterfordThe Plough can accommodate up to 140 rural pub enthusiasts outdoors.

The very friendly staff, good drinks and food, together with occasional Sunday barbecues and Mexican food Fridays make it one of the top places to visit in Saffron Walden and surrounding villages.

Saffron Walden Reporter: Fox & Hounds, Clavering. Photo: Andra Maciuca.Fox & Hounds, Clavering. Photo: Andra Maciuca. (Image: Andra Maciuca)

Fox & Hounds

High Street, Clavering

This pub has had a new management team since November last year. Safety measures include table seating of up to six people from the same support bubble.

Book one of their 16 outdoor tables in advance and order through a dedicated app.

Saffron Walden Reporter: The Gate pub, Saffron Walden. Picture: SaffronPhotoThe Gate pub, Saffron Walden. Picture: SaffronPhoto (Image: SaffronPhoto 2016)

The Gate

74 Thaxted Road, Saffron Walden

Opening on July 6, The Gate really is worth the slightly longer wait. The Italian restaurant and British pub will provide special summer drinks, different types of gin and spritz and a rotating guest ale every week.

Saffron Walden Reporter: The Ickleton Lion pub. Picture: Saffron PhotoThe Ickleton Lion pub. Picture: Saffron Photo (Image: SaffronPhoto 2016)

Currently operating on a booking-only system, it is allowing up to 40 people at once with the possibility of changes after the first week.

Ickleton Lion

9 Abbey Street, IckletonWhen you say ‘Ickleton Lion’, you say beer, and garden. A reduced food menu can be enjoyed in the sun too throughout the weekend.

Saffron Walden Reporter: The Old English Gentleman (OEG) pub, Saffron Walden. Picture: SaffronPhotoThe Old English Gentleman (OEG) pub, Saffron Walden. Picture: SaffronPhoto (Image: SaffronPhoto 2016)

Be aware of the maximum amount of six people allowed at each table, and the pub’s kind request to respect social distancing while enjoying its outdoors grand reopening.

The Old English Gentleman

11 Gold Street, Saffron Walden

Saffron Walden Reporter: Angel and Harp pub, Dunmow. Picture: SaffronPhotoAngel and Harp pub, Dunmow. Picture: SaffronPhoto (Image: SaffronPhoto 2016)

A 19th century pub, in the CAMRA Good Beer Guide 2020.

They have a heated patio garden and do lunchtime food.

Angel and Harp

Saffron Walden Reporter: The Cock Inn, Henham. Photo: Andra Maciuca.The Cock Inn, Henham. Photo: Andra Maciuca. (Image: Andra Maciuca)

16 Church Street, Great Dunmow

A modern British pub in a grade II listed building, serving a selection of traditional cask ales, stouts and continental beers, with a garden area.

The kitchen prepares modern pub food and wood fired pizzas.

Saffron Walden Reporter: The Kings Arms pub, Saffron Walden. Picture: SaffronPhotoThe Kings Arms pub, Saffron Walden. Picture: SaffronPhoto (Image: SaffronPhoto 2016)

The Cock Inn

Church St, Henham, Bishop’s Stortford

A village pub in a building that’s 350 years old, with plenty of outside seating.

The accoladed kitchen prepares dishes made from locally sourced produce.

The Kings Arms

10 Market Hill, Saffron Walden

A traditional pub dating from the 16th century with a newly laid turfed garden.

It serves a selection of real ales including rotating guest ales, and home cooked pub lunches.