The Three Jolly Wheelers is part of Mitchell and Butler's Vintage Inn's brand, which promises a charming country pub experience, complete with a roaring fire and a hearty pint of ale.

What you get here, in reality, is something akin to an upmarket Harvester.

The exterior is quaint enough and there are enough old wooden beams and a good enough selection of ale to give credence to their pub credentials.

However, anything you might associate with a real country pub is missing.

There is no room for an eccentric landlord or any deviation from the corporate policies and procedures.

Logoed polo shirts, for example. You will however find a competently run place, reasonably good food and a modern 34 room Innkeeper's Lodge out the back.

With enterprises such as this there is a significant disparity between the PR puff and the reality, but the Three Jolly Wheelers is good at what it does - serving pub food to the residents of IG8.

FOOD REVIEW: Reasonably priced and adequately made Sunday lunch is complimented by an extensive pub grub menu.

FOOD RATING: 2 FOOD VALUE: 2

NEAREST STATION: Roding Valley station

FEATURES: accommodation, real ale, guest beers, outdoor seating