MY PUB: The Windmill, Chatham Green, Essex

Also close to the Essex Walkway, this hidden gem offers great food made by a highly trained team and cask ales, meaning no one will be disappointed.

Here, restaurant manager and co-owner of the business Nancy Witte tells The Morning Advertiser about the pub.

The pub

The Windmill is a beautiful destination pub and restaurant in the charming hamlet of Chatham Green, just outside Chelmsford, Essex.

It’s a rural location but close enough to the city’s racecourses, offering the perfect blend of countryside tranquillity and easy accessibility.

The pub itself dates back to the 1820s, with its iconic windmill, which was last used in 1904. Historically, the Windmill was a central hub for the community and it continues to play that role today.

In the summer, guests can enjoy drinks and meals on our terrace or in our secret garden, which is tucked away and overlooks the stunning English countryside.

When the weather cools, our cosy pub, with its original wooden beams and wood-burning stove, offers the perfect spot to relax.

We’ve transformed the windmill itself into a private dining room, which is ideal for family gatherings, weddings, business meetings and special occasions.

We also offer two luxurious en-suite bedrooms for those who want a countryside getaway. These can be booked for bed and breakfast or through our exclusive Stay & Dine Experiences.

When we first saw the Windmill up for lease, it felt like destiny. [My partner] Tom is from nearby Great Waltham, so this has been a homecoming for him. Since opening in October 2022, the local community has been incredibly welcoming and we’re proud to be part of it.

The publican

My partner Tom and I run the Windmill together. Tom’s roots are in Great Waltham, where his family owned the local bakery.

His love for food began at a young age, and over the years, he’s worked at some of the best restaurants in England and France, including Le Manoir aux Quat’Saisons and L’Ortolan, where he earned and maintained a Michelin star for five years.

He also spent time in France working at two Michelin-starred restaurants like L’Oustau de Baumanière, which further shaped his culinary style.

As for me, I started my career in Berlin, where I trained at the Maritim proArte Hotel before moving to Vienna to work at the prestigious Sacher Hotel.

After relocating to the UK in 2011, I had the privilege of working at Mosimann’s private members’ club in London, hosting events for celebrities and high-profile clients.

I’ve also worked at the Michelin-starred L’Ortolan, which is where Tom and I first met. We both later worked at Forage Kitchen near Bury St Edmunds, which inspired us to embrace the foraging and preserving techniques we use in our cooking today.

Together, we’ve brought our shared experiences and passion for fine dining to the Windmill, where we aim to create an unforgettable dining experience for every guest.

The trade

The Windmill is a charming, dog-friendly country pub set in rural Essex, not far from the Essex Way walking trail. Because of our location, we attract a wide range of customers from food lovers who travel for Tom’s exceptional cuisine to local walkers who stop by for a casual drink at the bar or in our secret garden.

With just seven tables and a capacity of 25 guests, we offer a cosy, intimate dining experience.

We operate a single seating per service (except for Sunday lunch), ensuring our guests are never rushed and can fully enjoy their meal.

The team

We’re a small but close-knit team here at the Windmill.

Tom works in the kitchen with an apprentice while I run the front of house with the help of a few part-time staff.

Our teamwork is seamless – whether it’s serving dishes or washing up – we all pitch in to make sure everything runs smoothly. This collaborative approach allows us to provide a personalised and exceptional service to our guests.

The drink

We take great pride in supporting local and national producers when it comes to our drinks menu.

Our house gins and vodkas come from Essex Spirit Co – a distillery based in Chelmsford – and our real ales are sourced from Bishop Nick in Braintree. There’s a lovely connection here because Bishop Nick is the successor to Ridley’s Brewery, which once owned the Windmill.

Our wine selection is carefully curated, offering everything from approachable house wines to rare bottles for those looking to try something new.

Recently, we’ve added wines from Georgia, Greece and Austria, which have been a hit with our guests.

We also have a wide-ranging spirits collection, featuring gins from around the world, including Four Pillars Shiraz Gin from Australia and Bluecoat barrel-aged gin from Philadelphia, US.

We love showcasing innovative British spirits too, such as Fortunella Golden Orange from London and Aelder, a spiced elderberry liqueur from Scotland, made with foraged ingredients.

The food

The food is definitely the main draw at the Windmill.

Tom’s cooking is rooted in modern British cuisine but his time spent in French and Asian kitchens has added a unique flair to his dishes.

We are committed to using foraged, seasonal and locally sourced ingredients, which ensures every dish is fresh and sustainable.

Our menu is kept intentionally short to focus on quality and we change it every two to three months to reflect the seasons. This approach keeps things exciting for our regular guests, many of whom come back just to see what new creations Tom has come up with.

The events

We love hosting events throughout the year that offer something a little different for our guests.

Wine tastings and wine dinners are a regular feature, where we invite suppliers or winemakers to introduce new selections.

For special occasions like Valentine’s Day, we create bespoke menus tailored to the event.

In December, we host a themed Gala Dinner, which is always a highlight.

This year, we’re excited to have The Starlight Sisters join us for a black-tie evening with live music from the 1940s, ’50s and ’60s.

The future

Looking ahead, we have big plans for the Windmill. We’re planning to host more themed events, including dinners with local producers, summer barbecues and steak nights.

We’re even considering our own take on Oktoberfest as a one-day event.

We also open the restaurant and private dining room for micro weddings during the summer months and we’re expanding our offerings for corporate events in the Miller’s Room, which is ideal for business meetings.

Our goal is to keep building on what we’ve created here, making the Windmill a true destination for exceptional food, drink and events.