The pub

About us

Keeping the Spirit of the Village Alive

The Shepherd & Dog has been part of Colchester's fabric for generations — a place where regulars become family and a pint of ale tells the story of the town. Now, under fresh, professional management, we're writing the next chapter.

Our team brings decades of hospitality experience and a deep belief that the local pub is the beating heart of community life. We've kept everything that mattered — the warmth, the history, the unhurried welcome — and added the standards a great Colchester pub deserves: thoughtfully sourced food, a properly tended cellar, and a calendar full of reasons to drop in.

This is a pub for everyone. The early bird with their newspaper. The five-a-side team after the match. The family on Sunday. The first date, the leaving do, the wake. Whatever brought you here, we're glad you came.

The snug

Our values

Local first. Always.

  • Community. Free function room hire for local clubs. Charity quiz nights. Showing the local schools' fundraisers in our windows.
  • Provenance. Beef from Dedham Vale. Fish from Mersea. Ales from breweries you can drive to.
  • Craft. A proper cellar, properly kept. Glasses chilled. Pies from scratch.
  • Welcome. Dogs, kids, lone diners, big groups. All sorts, all welcome.

The team

The faces behind the bar.

SW

Sam Whitcombe

Landlord

Twenty years in Essex pubs and a soft spot for cask ale. Will remember your usual.

PH

Priya Halsall

Head Chef

Trained in Bristol, raised on Sunday roasts. Champion of British seasonal cooking.

DO

Dec O'Neill

Cellar & Drinks

Eight rotating cask lines, always something local. Knows his hops from his hopes.

Where it comes from

Suppliers we trust.

Dedham Vale Farm

Beef & lamb, 12 miles

Mersea Island Co-op

Day-boat fish & oysters

Colchester Brewery

House cask & seasonals

Lay & Wheeler

Wine list, est. 1854

Wivenhoe Bakehouse

Daily sourdough

Tiptree

Jams, pickles & preserves