A family, a farm and an English country pub.
We have farmed on Morris Farm in Stow Maries, next door to the Prince Of Wales, since the 60s. We bought The Prince of Wales in February 2025. For us, the pub is about keeping rural life thriving. We want to make sure The Prince of Wales remains a proud part of the community it serves.
At The Prince of Wales, we believe a true country pub should sit at the heart of its community — not just as a place to eat and drink, but as a place to connect, support, and celebrate local rural life. We’re proud to champion the farmers, growers, and makers who shape our countryside, giving smaller local producers a platform to share their craft and their produce with our guests. As a freehold we are also able to serve a wide variety of local and British Cask Ales. alongside English wines produced in this Village as part of the Crouch Valley Wine Region.
We serve our home raised, grass fed, beef and lamb
All the beef and lamb we serve at the Prince of Wales is our own and is grass fed on the salt marshes that run down to the nearby River Crouch.
We take great pride in the care and attention we put into raising our livestock, as do many British farmers. If you get talking to our dad, Rob, at the bar he will no doubt tell you all about it! All the lamb and beef we serve at the Prince of Wales comes from our farm. The other meat and produce that we serve is very carefully selected to meet the standards we expect on our own farm.
Handpicked local suppliers and producers
From local meats and seasonal vegetables to beers brewed just down the road, we aim to showcase the very best of Essex and the surrounding countryside. But our support doesn’t stop at the bar — we’re committed to backing local rural clubs, events, and causes, from the Young Farmers to local sports teams and village gatherings.
The chicken on the menu comes from slow grown meadow chickens in Sutton Hoo. Our sausages are made from pigs raised by Claire at Hummerstones Farm in Billericay in Essex. The delicious pickled gherkins are made by a local company called Perfectly Pickled. The pork on the menu comes from Whitegates farm in nearby Rettendon. Our specials board is full of delicious food from producers with a similar ethos to these.
The pub’s history
The building itself is Grade II listed and dates to the early 19th century or possibly earlier, originally as a range of three cottages before becoming a public house.
We’re a short walk from the Stow Maries Great War Aerodrome. It is the best-preserved First World War airfield in Europe. Built in 1916, it played a vital role in defending London and the southeast from German air raids. The prince of Wales was a favourite haunt of the airmen stationed there. Today, both the aerodrome and the pub remain proud reminders of the area’s remarkable wartime heritage.
“This pub’s about a celebration of rural life — the farm feeds the pub, the pub looks after the village, and together we keep our bit of the countryside alive. Good food, local businesses, and proper hospitality — that’s what it’s all about.”
