Forester, pool in Chigwell

Photo: The Forester Chigwell

Forester: Pool & Snooker in Chigwell, London

FreeWalk-inPool tableSports pubGroups

Burrow Road, Chigwell · IG7 4NH · Mo-Sa 12:00-23:00; Su 12:00-22:00

The Forester is a big traditional estate pub on the Chigwell and Hainault border, the kind of friendly local where the pool table is part of the furniture. It suits anyone after a relaxed game with a pint rather than a polished venue. The most useful thing to know: it runs a team in the Barking and District Pool League, so the table is a proper fixture, not an afterthought, and you can walk in and play for free.

Expect a sport-led community local with big screens for football, Sky Sports and TNT Sports, a dartboard alongside the pool, and a beer garden out the back. It is family-friendly during the day and busy on match nights. Open from midday every day, it is an easy spot to drop into for a casual frame.

The pool setup

There is a pool table in the bar, the standard pub size, sat alongside a dartboard. The Forester is a registered venue in the Barking and District Pool League, so on league nights the table is reserved for matches and the pub fills with regulars. Outside of fixtures it is an open table you can use casually while you drink. There is no booking system and no separate games room, so it works best as a relaxed frame or two rather than a dedicated pool trip. If you want a clear run, come earlier in the day or check whether a league match is on.

Good to know

Entry is free and so is wandering in for a game; you pay only for your drinks. It is a sport-first local with big screens showing football plus Sky Sports and TNT Sports, so expect it loud and busy on match days. There is a car park, a beer garden and Wi-Fi, and it is family-friendly through the daytime. The pub serves a range of drinks rather than being a food-led gastropub. Open from noon every day, closing at 11pm most nights and 10pm on Sundays.

Get directions

Common questions

What is the Forester in Chigwell?
It is a large traditional estate pub on the Chigwell and Hainault border with a pool table, a dartboard and big screens for sport. It fields a team in the Barking and District Pool League.
Is pool free at the Forester?
Yes, it is a casual pub table you can play for free around buying drinks. There is no entry charge.
Do I need to book to play pool?
No. It is walk-in only. Just turn up, though the table may be tied up for Barking and District Pool League matches on league nights.
How many pool tables does the Forester have?
One pool table in the bar, alongside a dartboard.
What are the Forester's opening hours?
Open from noon every day, until 11pm Monday to Saturday and 10pm on Sunday.
Where is the Forester and how do I get there?
Burrow Road, Chigwell, IG7 4NH, on the estate between Chigwell Row and Hainault. There is a car park, and Hainault on the Central line is the nearest station.

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