The Belgian Brewer in Epping has wooden tables, and on a good afternoon the sunlight comes in gold. Every chair invites you to stay a while. You hear glasses clinking and low chatter, and the smell of a freshly poured dubbel or tripel hangs in the room.
"Pull up a chair" is a tradition in Belgian taprooms, and the hospitality here follows it: nobody hurries you out. You can swap stories with the regulars or get talking to other travelers, and there's usually room at the table.
If you're wandering Epping high street, the brass taps and the sound of laughter are easy to follow inside. Stay for a beer and let the rest of the day wait.