Axe & Compasses

Cocktail Bar | Saffron Walden | England | United Kingdom

The "Axe & Compasses" in Saffron Walden is a traditional British country pub that offers a mix of British and Mediterranean cuisine. The menu is particularly noteworthy, featuring dishes prepared with seasonal and local ingredients. The dishes range from hearty classics like Steak and Ale Pie to Mediterranean-inspired dishes like grilled lamb with fresh herbs and garlic. The restaurant also offers delicious fish dishes made with locally caught fish, as well as a selection of salads perfect for a light but flavorful lunch.

The "Axe & Compasses" places great emphasis on creating a cozy and inviting atmosphere where guests can dine in the restaurant area, on the terrace, or in the private herb garden. The pub is known for its excellent selection of wines and local beers that perfectly complement the dishes and complete the culinary experience. It is a place where guests can relax and enjoy the blend of British and Mediterranean flavors.

Contact details

Web

Phone

Address
High St
Arkesden
CB11 4EX Saffron Walden

Map view

Opening hours

Sunday12:00 - 22:00
Monday--
Tuesday12:00 - 22:00
Wednesday12:00 - 22:00
Thursday12:00 - 22:00
Friday12:00 - 22:00
Saturday12:00 - 22:00

Reviews

257 Reviews

mireille boyer
17.12.2024

What an amazing place! Good food, good service, and the place itself...no words.
James de Vries
29.11.2024

Fantastic place and has been for the last 30 years I’ve know it!
Laura Dennis
04.11.2024

We had a great evening at the Axe & Compasses with friends for dinner. Really friendly staff who made us feel welcome and were attentive throughout our visit. It is a lovely pub that has a nice cosy feel and good atmosphere. The food was cooked and presented very well and we were impressed with the red wine also. Would definitely return here and recommend.
Jay Jay
03.11.2024

In my sixty years I have not been to the most amazing, quincidentally pub, what a beautiful pub, lovely food, excellent helpful, totally deserves ☆☆☆☆☆ can not fault one bit, and the High St, oh my goodness, apicturesque postcard.
Adrian Leonard
23.10.2024

Simply amazing. The A&C was a favourite before a fire levelled it. Thanks to great insurance, it is rebuilt even better - and you wouldn't know it's built in 2024, not 1624. The same owners continue to deliver the finest food in the area, and service is very good. We miss some of the bric-a-brac, for which the pub was famous, but the venue is improved nonetheless. But please... bring back the dessert trolley!
Etienne Bresch
20.10.2024

Brilliantly renovated interior (we learnt that there had been a fire a while back), with beautiful carpentry work. Loved the decor. The food is eclectic, and I got to taste the best moussaka I ever had outside of Greece, thanks to the skill and expertise of the chefs and the owner who happens to be Greek. The mezzees platter was excellent, and it surprised us when the waitress told us she had not seen a platter polished off like this for quite some time - there was nothing that was not to like! The layout was spacious, so we didn't feel crammed or crowded and allowed for good conversations and a relaxed atmosphere, with discreet background din. Beautiful pub in a gorgeous setting, well worth the journey!
Nick Weakley
30.09.2024

One of the best meals all round that we have had for a while. The staff and service was exemplary, food delicious and plenty of it, with a great variety on the menu. Without doubt we shall be back.
Freda Richards
30.09.2024

Our visit was for Sunday lunch. We sat at a cold and draughty table and told our specific seating request had not been passed on. Our plates were tepid therefore the meat was greasy because not hot. There was no selection of vegetables, just two already on out plate.
Katheryn Harmer
29.09.2024

A beautiful pub with a superb set of road leading to it especially for a motorbike ride out! I hadn't been for about 20 years and it's still the place that I remember 😊 we had wonderfully warm welcome by some locals and the lady serving us couldn't have been more lovely and helpful!! The food was at such a high standard I honestly can not rate highly enough a visit to this more than 5* pub and eatery. Thank you so much, I certainly won't be leaving it another 20 years before I return again!!!!
Gerald Mccarthy
28.09.2024

Beautiful country pub with excellent food and good service. Pricey.
Robert Talks
23.09.2024

Wow, what a fantastic Sunday lunch here! A lovely friendly welcome. An excellent menu, delicious food cooked very well. We had a super time and will certainly be returning. The car park was very busy - a true sign of success. Very much looking forward to returning again soon. Thanks for an enjoyable visit.
Ian Houghton
25.08.2024

Superb pub with Gastro food. Lovely surroundings in a stunning little village. Foods excellent and service equally so. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED
Jennifer Anderson
21.08.2024

Lovely meal great service. Cracking toilets
andy Anderson
14.08.2024

Had lunch here yesterday. Absolutely superb ! Very welcoming staff ! Wonderful meal lovely atmosphere will be back for sure !!
Brian Brooks
08.08.2024

Excellent. Delightful staff, excellent service, delicious food. Steak & kidney pie was superb.
Jim Sarakun
01.07.2024

It was all brilliant, but for the price, not exceptional. Take lots of dosh too, you will need it. We were two adults, and a teenager.
Brendan Roscoe
11.06.2024

Busy earlier and slow service.
Sheila Mayne
01.06.2024

Very distracted staff ..missed a child meal, we had asked to be brought before adult food. we were waiting so long ask 4 different staff before bringing the missing food .adult meals two of us had missing accompaniment ,which after telling staff were brought straight away.
Lyndsay Prewer
26.05.2024

Went here for an early dinner with my wife and 80 year old mother in law. Food, service and ambience was all great. The staff were very friendly and helpful. For food we'd particularly recommend the prawns in garlic sauce (we had it as a starter) and the figs.
Rachel Brown
26.04.2024

We visited yesterday for our Wedding Anniversary. I think the food was good although I think overpriced for what it was. Our impression was that the staff were not friendly in fact no one smiled at us at all. That was rather disappointing that we did not feel welcome. We won't be returning.
Roger King
23.04.2024

First time there for Sunday dinner. Will definitely go again.
Barry Capal
18.04.2024

Excellent food, with great service in a very nice environment. Parking a little tight.
Bazza Close
06.04.2024

Faultless, plenty of helpful staff and excellent food quality. Good menu at reasonable prices for the quality , portion sizes and variety.
John Cooper
06.04.2024

Delicious food , great service , warm & welcoming and reasonably priced
N M
04.04.2024

The old man. OMG. Is so MISERABLE. You arrive at the bar and he just SITS, 2 metres away, IGNORING you. Not a smile. Not a hello. Just a grumpy sour expression. The people eating are all OAPs sitting in silence. The place is like God's waiting room. What a shame!! And the menu hasn't changed in YEARS! They should have replaced the owners when the place was rebuilt.
Annette Richardson
06.03.2024

Great food. Great staff. Love it here.
Trixie Mejaat
02.03.2024

Always 5 stars! Easily one of the best places in the area for a number of reasons, delicious food, fantastic service & a very cozy atmosphere. They have a great range on the menu, which they also supplement with weekly & seasonal specials.

 

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