Find a Venue for Hire in Colchester

Old beams, carved wood linenfold panels, great character. FoodGood solid food. Starters and desserts prettily served. Real cloths and napkins.My main course was chicken with a generous portion of Yorkshire pudding and piece of stuffing the size of a triangle of thick doorstep toast.The creme brulee was served in espresso coffee cups, and was runny. The chef apologized and said the blow torch wasn't working and he'd had to use the grill. Not my problem. I had a baked cheesecake. Looking at my photo, it reminds me that the cheesecake had a pleasing extra, chocolate chips instead of the healthier sultanas. I have to admit that I am very partial to an unhealthy chocolate chip or two or three.ServiceThe staff were very obliging. They fetched me a sewing kit to repair a loose ribbon although I wasn't staying at the hotel, only dining. ChairsDining chairs were a mixture of plain wood and those with padded seats. I swapped my chair for one with a padded seat. Problem solved.Anything wrong? A few light bulbs were missing. We sat debating whether it was a careful economy measure or just carelessness. One of the Ladies toilet cubicles was without a working light bulb. I mentioned it after the meal and the girl on the bar smiled and assured me she knew and was just about to fix it.My group of more than twenty - in a private party with a speech - was very happy with the venue. Our committee had chosen this place for historic surroundings (suitable for the annual dinner of a traditional group with a speech by an MP) and value for money. We paid £18 per person for a three course meal including coffee and a bottle of white Chardonnay and a bottle of red wine on each table.