Pubs in Ipswich, Bury St Edmunds, Southwold and more highlighted as hidden architectural gems, according to CAMRA's Real Heritage Pubs for the East of England
Sixteen pubs in Suffolk have been highlighted as hidden architectural gems, according to a new book.
The latest edition of the Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA)'s Real Heritage Pubs for the East of England lists pubs in Ipswich, Bury St Edmunds, Southwold and more.
The book, which launched yesterday to coincide with the Norwich Beer Festival that runs until October 29, celebrates pubs across the nation, from rural time-warps to old coaching inns.
In total, 76 pubs from Suffolk, Norfolk, Hertfordshire, Essex and Bedfordshire made the cut.
The pubs in Suffolk are:
The Nutshell, Bury St Edmunds
One of Britain's smallest and most culturally significant pubs makes the list.
Located in The Traverse, Bury St Edmunds, this Victorian pub can only seat around 10 to 15 at a time, and has been pulling pints since 1867.
It is now a major tourist attraction, serving some of the finest ales in the region.
The Cock Inn, Brent Eleigh
A tiny village pub near Sudbury also takes a spot on the list.
The Cock Inn, in Brent Eleigh, has received high praise and is considered among the best rural pubs in the county.
The 18th century thatched pub has seen few interior changes since it first opened its doors.
It has been identified by CAMRA as a top heritage pub in the area.
The Green Dragon, Bungay
This Victorian pub that was refitted in the 1930s also makes the list.
Located in Broad Street, Bungay, the Green Dragon brews its own beer and sells it for a relatively low price.
CAMRA said it still retains its inter-war feel, with the bar and smoke room having been refurbished since it first opened.
Rose & Crown, Bury St Edmunds
A family-run pub in the corner of Whiting Street and Westgate Street, Bury St Edmunds, the Rose and Crown is within sight of Greene King's brewery.
CAMRA said the building dates back to the 17th century with a 19th century exterior – while some parts may be as old as the 15th century.
Known for its narrow rooms and oddly-shaped bar, it won CAMRA pub of the year in 2019.
Golden Hind, Ipswich
Located in Nacton Road, Ipswich, the Golden Hind is grade-two listed Greene King Pub.
Like many pubs built by the Tollemache brewery, its design mimics baronial estates, in a style known as 'Tolly Folly'.
There's a function room upstairs and a large garden in the back, and part of it serves as a sports bar.
It remained largely untouched prior to its refurbishment in 1999.
There is also an identical pub, also known as the Golden Hind, in Cambridge.
Margaret Catchpole, Ipswich
This pub in Cliff Lane shares its name with the servant girl from Suffolk who was deported to Australia.
It hosts monthly karaoke nights and other events.
Known for its spacious interior, this inter-war pub was built by the Cobbold brewing family in 1936.
The Woolpack, Ipswich
One of Ipswich's oldest pubs, having been open since at least 1689, the four-room Woolpack features wooden beams and oak-panelled walls.
It hosts regular charity events, quiz nights, and live music.
It is located at the intersection of Westerfield Road and Tuddenham Road, where they merge into Bolton Lane.
It also features one of the smallest pub rooms in Britain.
The King's Head, Laxfield
Also known as the Low House, this pub in Laxfield, near Framlingham, gives off medieval vibes with its thatched roof and its interior, which has remained largely unchanged since the 19th century.
It contains small drinking rooms, an open fire in the winter, a card room, a farmers' table and a large garden.
It has been a free house since it was purchased from Suffolk brewer Adnams in 2018.
CAMRA highlighted that it is once of six pubs in the UK without a bar counter.
Bull Hotel, Long Melford
Built in 1450, this Greene King pub is a relatively well-known attraction in Long Melford, near Sudbury.
Outside of being a bar, it is also a hotel – having been an inn since 1580 – and each of its 25 bedrooms has its own style.
Its two-room public bar is famous for its oak beam design and the pub features three old brick fireplaces.
Jolly Sailor, Orford
An authentic nautical atmosphere fills this 17th century pub in Orford, near Woodbridge, which was built from two houses.
The main bar is simply furnished and has a low ceiling and a bar counter that is at least 70 years old.
The main dining room also features an impressive fireplace.
Butt and Oyster, Pin Mill
On the south bank of the River Orwell, near Ipswich, lies a 17th century pub in a quaint hamlet.
It has gone through two major expansions in its lifetime, one in the 19th century, and another in 1932.
Its interior is known for its red-floor tiling, and 17th century panelling melds with a 20th century brick fireplace in the public bar.
Visitors to the beer garden can get a view of the River Orwell, and Nacton Village, on the opposite bank.
The Rumburgh Buck, Rumburgh
This 16th century pub prides itself on its authentic, friendly atmosphere.
Run by the same landlords between 1926 and 1981, it is known for its red-painted bar, bare-wall bench seating and brick floor.
People can sit in one of five seperate rooms, that were opened to expand the pub.
Its outdoor area was recently renovated and can seat at least 40 people.
The Rose, Shotley
Described by CAMRA as a no-nonsense village local which retains its look from its 1960s refurbishment, the Shotley Rose sells, drinks, sweets, and even toys.
The back-bar room was extended in 2014, and is now nearly three-times the size.
The Crown Inn, Snape
The most notable feature of this 17th century pub in Snape, near Aldeburgh, is a drinking area, or snug, created by two large, curved benches around an old brick fireplace.
These are attached to the beamed ceiling with iron stays.
The rest of the pub is more modern, and a retrofit in the 1990s introduced a linen-fold back panelling and a more modern bar.
Crown Hotel, Southwold
This Georgian pub on Southwold's High Street features an impressive inn sign and a red-tiled floor.
The back-bar, a seperate little room, is nicknamed 'God's Waiting Room' and is partitioned from the rest of the pub.
CAMRA said its panelled walls indicate it was last retrofitted in the 1930s.
According to the sign outside, the pub was built in 1740.
The Bell Inn, Walberswick
The main feature of this pub is the room on the front left with an uneven flagstone floor.
It features an L-shaped settle, which, around an old fireplace, creates a little drinking area.
The back of the pub features a more modern bar with a new dining area.
