With a history dating back more than 250 years and a former winner of the Watford Observer's pub of the year, the Cart and Horses has again been nominated as one of the favourite places to drink and eat in the area.

The pub in Quickmoor Lane, Commonwood, near Chipperfield, has been in landlord Ian Reynolds’ family for 28 years, having been purpose built as an ale house in 1765 with attached rooms behind for workmen who were travelling to Watford market to stay in.

It has a large garden which can cater for up to 200 people, who can all be socially distanced from each other.

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The Cart and Horses serves traditional English pub food accompanied by a grill orientated menu, and prides itself on using fresh meat from Smithfield, fruit and veg from Covent Garden and fresh fish from Billingsgate Market.

Hillingdon Times:

Inside the pub's restaurant

A table service has been implemented in the garden to help make it Covid secure, meaning customers can feel comfortable and do not have to get up and queue surrounded by other people.

Ian’s son Curtis admitted they have faced many challenges in the past 28 years, “each a little different from the last. But we are a very determined and can be quite entrepreneurial when necessary to make sure our family pub not only survives but thrives”.

Asked what the most rewarding aspect of running a pub is, Curtis replied: "Definitely the social aspect. You build a relationship with your customers and to be able to be able to provide a fulfilling service for them fills me with a lot of pride.

Hillingdon Times:

The Cart and Horses started a takeaway service on the first day of lockdown

And the worst?

"You could argue that the hours can be very unsociable," he said. "During lockdown we were working 100-hour weeks for 12-plus weeks. But it is a labour of love and is all worth it in the end."