Harden's survey result
Summary
The “stunning riverside setting makes for a very picturesque venue” beside the River Stour, in a half-timbered building with a terrace that can be seen in paintings by Constable. “The food is pretty damn good as well”, which makes it “ideal for a special occasion”. The restaurant celebrates its 70th anniversary this year and its cooking is traditional – even “a little staid” to certain tastes. But sometimes that’s just what is required: “sitting by the river on a sunny day after lockdown eating fresh local asparagus and then lobster was absolutely wonderful!”.
Summary
The “superb setting” – a picturesque, half-timbered building by the River Stour complete with riverside terrace, which features in paintings by Constable – helps maintain the allure of this classic, famously romantic destination. However, its large loyal following from Essex and beyond also award its updated traditional cuisine consistently high ratings.
Summary
The “superb setting” – a picturesque, half-timbered building by the River Stour complete with riverside terrace, which features in paintings by Constable – helps maintain the allure of this classic, famously romantic destination. However, its large loyal following from Essex and beyond also award its updated traditional cuisine consistently high ratings.
Summary
“The perfect setting for a perfect meal” – this half-timbered building beside the River Stour was depicted in a Constable painting. The kitchen is praised for “excellent if slightly old-fashioned cuisine”, but it’s the “romantic setting” (all “cosy old beams and wood fires”) that most sets the pulse racing – although, having passed its 65th birthday, the restaurant was shocked to be described in The Times this year as the ‘fourth sexiest’ in England.
For 31 years we've been curating reviews of the UK's most notable restaurant. In a typical year, diners submit over 50,000 reviews to create the most authoritative restaurant guide in the UK. Each year, the guide is re-written from scratch based on this survey (although for the 2021 edition, reviews are little changed from 2020 as no survey could run for that year).
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Restaurant details
Prices
| Availability | 2 courses | 3 courses |  |
 |
 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lunch | £35.50 | £46.00 |  |
|
|
Traditional European menu
| Starter | Main | Pudding |
|---|---|---|
| £18.30 | £34.10 | £12.50 |
| Drinks |
|
|---|---|
| Wine per bottle | £26.00 |
| Filter Coffee | £4.75 |
| Extras |
|
|---|---|
| Bread | £0.00 |
| Service | 10.00% |
Gun Hill, Dedham, CO7 6HP
Opening hours
| Monday | 12 pm‑2:15 pm, 6:30 pm‑9 pm |
| Tuesday | 12 pm‑2:15 pm, 6:30 pm‑9 pm |
| Wednesday | 12 pm‑2:15 pm, 6:30 pm‑9 pm |
| Thursday | 12 pm‑2:15 pm, 6:30 pm‑9 pm |
| Friday | 12 pm‑2:15 pm, 6:30 pm‑9 pm |
| Saturday | 12 pm‑2:15 pm, 6:30 pm‑9 pm |
| Sunday | 12 pm‑3 pm |
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