Another very ancient pub in Leigh-on-Sea's old-town is this 16th-century establishment with two small bars with beamed ceilings. It won the contest for taking the longest to be served in but at least I did not have to queue from outside as was the case for others when I left. My first visit ever, and early evening, as on previous visits to Leigh-on-Sea the queue forming outside never attracted me in. Luck was with me and just 5 or so minutes to be served on entering the inside. It shares a large front outside seating/dining area with a seafood merchant.

I stayed off the jellies today and squeezed onto a table in the right hand bar.

Early on Sunday lunchtime on a beautiful day. This was a post-hike over the marshes, pre-fish and chips pint.

We were offered a menu as soon as we arrived. The Hop Circle App gave us 25p off each pint.

13:00 Fairly quiet. A couple having lunch and three other chaps on a pub crawl who entered just in front of us. Left hand bar empty. Hop Circle app use for the discount. 25p per pint.

Evening. Quick return visit at the end of a High Street crawl.

Evening. Passing when I heard my name called from the seating across the road; an old work colleague whom I had had a premonition might be down by the riverside. With only 6 handpumps disappointing to see only 3 in use (later 4) with the other 2 out of dock as "beers have not settled".

Near perfect Essex seaside day. Charity pub beer festival, live music on the quayside, fabulous weather, 2,500 Brent Geese overhead on the rising tide – and I think I set a new personal record for jellied eel consumption.

Last visit in my evening High Street crawl and the best house for welcome, beer range / quality and pricing value. Nicholson's is getting very good indeed all over.

A wet Thursday afternoon, and not too many people about, the right hand bar was fairly busy so we sat in the other room and had a couple of beers and a sandwich each.