Home > Essex > Tawney Common > Mole Trap Mole Trap
The Mole Trap closed on New Years Day, 2019. This was a grade-II listed pub.
This pub reopened in Summer 2021.
Mark Nevill (March 2022)
Closed again in July 2023)
David Jobbins (December 2023)
Used to frequent this pub in the late 1960’s early 1970’s. When we first went there it had two front rooms with a corridor in between them. At the end of the corridor was a lift up counter (just wide enough to serve one person at a time) with the beer taps etc. behind. It was refurbished in the early 1970’s. The building is still in use as a ‘gastro pub’ under the name of The Dog House.
Martin & Jullie (August 2025)
Local newspaper review by John Cutting, 1966
You need radar to find it. That is the opinion of Alfred Bard, the genial landlord of the Mole Trap, a small country inn which modestly hides itself in the depths of rural Essex. Cards of introduction, printed by the landlord, which have been sent to all parts of the world, carry a sketch map showing that the inn lies in the middle of a triangle bounded by Epping, Abridge and Chipping Ongar. Map reading is not, however, the strong point of modern motorists and there is, in the bar, a large scale O.S. map of the area which gives customers, on arrival, the chance to point out where they went wrong. It was the call of the countryside that persuaded Alfred Bard to apply to take over the Mole Trap in 1955. In those days there were oil lamps and calor gas at the inn and precious few customers. Always a keen shot, he first became a gamekeeper and also set his hand at many other jobs to make a living but, under his guidance, the inn prospered and today things are better and people visit the Mole Trap from far afield. Wisely, the brewers have not modernised the house in the gin palace tradition and the inn still retains the true atmosphere of a village pub. There are few decorations in the bars, but one picture catches the eye. This is dated 1888 and bears the caption “The Musical Plough Boy.” A youngster in a shepherd’s smock and leggings sits on a water butt under a pump in a farmyard playing a type of piccolo while calves, pigs and chickens appear to listen. The model for the plough boy is reputed to have been a well-known local farmer. For nearly a quarter of a century Alfred Bard was in the army and what a wealth of experience he accumulated during that period. After six weeks’ service, he was promoted corporal cook in the East Yorkshire Regiment and subsequently followed a career which was to see him supervising meals for the top brass, including General Montgomery. Passing fifth out of a total of 400 in an Army Catering Corps course at Aldershot, he became a chief instructor and was subsequently posted to the Middle East school at Geneifa. With the 1st Army in the North African campaign and afterwards at Salerno, he saw his fair share of active service before qualifying as a hospital dietician and working at the British Military Hospital at Cyprus and later at Feltham. While stationed at Aldershot before the war he took part in a recruiting drive in the north country during which he played rugby against many of the stronger clubs. As hooker in the East Yorkshire regimental team he played against the famous All Blacks in 1934. He is a great admirer of the game which he believes should always be tough but never dirty. Services’ rugby has a reputation for good sportsmanship, and long may this continue. Alterations will be made to the Mole Trap early in the new year when flush toilets will be installed. Owing to the small size of the bar, however, it will still only be possible to serve one customer at a time. I was, however, privileged to be given the code word that ensures prompt service. During the evenings, Alfred always wears a butcher’s straw hat as a sign of his trade and he is quite prepared to be “put on a charge for being improperly dressed” should he be seen without it. It is hardly necessary to add that the beers, all drawn from the wood, are in prime condition and the landlord’s own drink—brown and mild—is recommended. Conversation with Alfred Bard is a stimulating experience and I shall certainly be visiting his inn many times in the future. In the words of his card of introduction :—   When you come to my house,  I sell you the best,   You’re sure of a welcome,  and have a quiet rest;   So come when you can, and  each bring a friend   And have a fine time, for  the money you spend.
Brewers: McMullen & Sons Ltd
Listed building details:
Public House. C17 or earlier with later alterations. Timber framed and rough rendered. Red plain tiled roof, dropped level to left. Two gabled dormers. 1 storey and attics. 1 window to first floor left. 3 range small paned case-ments to ground floor. Enclosed rough rendered red tiled, gabled porch to right with vertical boarded door. Boarded door with light in plain surround to left. 3 red brick chimney stacks.
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Name Dates Comments Garry Rice 1975/1986 Would ride my motorcycle to this lovely pub on a Sunday, meet up with friends and enjoy a pint. A ride a pint and a chat, wonderful.
Other Photos
Date of photo: 1974	Picture source: Martin & Julie