Walking. Gossip. Travel.

Category: Suffolk

200 Years Ago : Church Broken into at Helmingham

Although it’s in a different part of Suffolk to that which I was looking for, I was suitably intrigued by the post from 200 years ago this week in the Ipswich Journal. There was a break-in at Helmingham Church, something which was by no means that rare at the time, in an attempt to break into a vault. It appears not for body snatching reasons, which were still a problem until the 1832 Anatomy Act, but instead to steal lead coffins. The paper reported in November 1823:

“£100 Reward. Whereas on Saturday night the 27th September last, or early on Sunday morning on the 28th, some persons got over the iron gate at the top of the entrance leading into the Countess of Dysart’s family vault, in the Chancel of Helmingham Church, and cut away and otherwise injured the Door of the Vault in attempting to force it open, for the purpose (it is supposed) of taking from thence the Leaden coffins, but their infamous design was frustrated by some alarm, as the party appears to have decamped precipitately, leaving behind them a chisel and several large sticks. A reward of £100 is hereby offered to any person or persons who will discover the offenders, so that they may be brought to justice. Such reward to be paid on conviction.”

This is a substantial amount of money being offered in a reward, worth around £6,000 today. The Countess of Dysart was from the wealthy Tollemache family and unusually they had created a large vault under the chancel in the late eighteenth century, requiring something of a rebuild. This was a period during the history of the country when churches were under some considerable attack, body snatchers raiding churchyards and theft from the church itself was not uncommon.

As another aside, this church is the one that was featured in Only Fools and Horses and the Frog’s Legacy episode, one of the best in the series in my humble view….

November 5, 2023
200 Years Ago in Newmarket : Drake’s Elephant Tour

In my random series of posts from newspapers of 200 years ago this week, now also covering Newmarket to add some variety, was the story of how an elephant was placed on display in the town. I’ve written before about the Travelling Zoos, but it’s impressive to think that someone traipsed an elephant around Suffolk.

“In the night of Wednesday last, the bustle of our Fair being over, Mr Drake set out with his tremendous charge, the Elephant, for Newmarket, where we will remain a short time. That such an animal should submit to confinement, even in a caravan of so large dimensions as that which contains him, is a striking proof of his docility; for doubtless the exertions of his utmost strength would shiver to bars to atoms. There is, however, no fear of such an event, for even in his wild state the Elephant is harmless, except when provoked by injury. “He is born” says Buffon, “an enemy to no living creature, and if provoked his anger is confined to the person who has injured him”. Mr Drake’s Elephant we consider the largest in England, not except that in Exeter Change. It is at the time the most tractable and the most sagacious. The Boa Constrictor has often been exhibited; but the Sea Serpent never until now. This curiosity resembles the Constrictor in form; but is much larger and more beautifully marked; and should be seen by every one, if it be only to set at rest the doubts which prevailed as to the existence of such an inhabitant of the waters.”

The Exeter Change, or Exeter Exchange, was a building on the north side of the Strand which was used as a menagerie for around fifty years in the late eighteenth and early nineteenth centuries. Their elephant, Chunee, was brought over on a sailing ship from India, one of several transported in this way to excite and delight audiences across Great Britain. I don’t unfortunately know the name of the elephant that came to visit Newmarket, but as it wasn’t reported again in the local press I can only imagine that it didn’t rampage through the streets. I assume that this sea snake was dead, although I’m sure it attracted some interest at the time as it would have been most unusual.

November 5, 2023
Ipswich – Christchurch Mansion

Christchurch Mansion is one of the cultural highlights of Ipswich, a free to enter museum in a grand central former residence. The story of the site begins in the twelfth century when Holy Trinity Priory was built here, but King Henry VIII had some thoughts about that and it closed during the Dissolution of the Monasteries. A London merchant named Paul Withypoll purchased the site and his son started work on building a residential property to be proud of in 1547.

In 1735, the house was purchased by Claude Fonnereau, a London merchant of some considerable means, opening up the gardens to the general public in an early display of upper class kindness. His descendants sold the property to a syndicate of buyers, including Felix Cobbold, who promptly gifted the house to the people of Ipswich. The Ipswich Corporation then purchased the surrounding parkland and it has been used as a museum since 1885.

The frontage of the house and there was a friendly staff member standing inside welcoming visitors to the property.

Many of the rooms have been designed to recreate periods from the past, with this being the Green Room which was intended to provide a semi-public reception area where guests were entertained. It’s from the mid eighteenth century and shows what the room might have looked like in its French style.

The Fonnereau dining room, also laid out in the mid eighteenth century style.

Elements of the old fireplace have been exposed for the delight of modern visitors.

This room was intended to be used as a breakfast room, but they’ve decorated it from around 1700 as if it were the intimate room of a lady or gentleman.

My favourite room which is the library, although there aren’t many books on display at the moment. There was once a billiards table in the room as well, but they designed a billiards room of its own downstairs. Having watched some bar billiards games, I can imagine why they wouldn’t want that noise and excitement in a quiet library area.

The Rococo drawing room which is as it might have looked during the mid eighteenth century.

The state bedroom, which was added to the property by Thomas Fonnereau and he installed some decadent wallpaper. This is as it might have looked at the beginning of the eighteenth century.

The Upper Chamber, which is a 1920s add-on to the building which is used to display items of furniture and architectural features from merchant houses in Ipswich which were being demolished at the time.

Looking down into the grand hall, which is where visitors enter.

Tucked away on the ground floor is the servants’ hall which dates to something around the early nineteenth century.

And finally the kitchen, which was at the heart of the mansion and quite rightly so. In 1896, the Victorian cast iron range was removed to reveal the old Tudor fireplace. Some of the stone on the floor was pinched from Holy Trinity Priory which had been knocked down to build the original house.

This is a fine museum and it’s always positive when they’re able to allow free admission to everyone. It’s well reviewed, although there is a single and quite stupid 1 star review which simply says “not as good as Norwich”. At least Ipswich don’t charge for admissions, unlike the quite expensive Norwich museums, but I won’t dwell on any rivalry between the two county towns.

The staff were friendly and warm, there was enough to see for an hour long visit with plenty of information available within each room. There’s also a gallery of paintings, including some by Gainsborough and Constable, to add to the whole arrangement. All really rather lovely, I enjoyed my meander around the building.

July 27, 2023
Ipswich – Christchurch Mansion (Old Mug)

One of my favourite pieces on display at the Christchurch Mansion museum is this old tankard, with the words:

When this you see
Remember me
Keep me in your mind
Let all the world
say what they will
Speak of me as you find
Robert Webb

This sounds as if it was owned by someone of considerable character who was frequently in some traditional inn or drinking house, likely causing some trouble. Unfortunately the museum’s on-line catalogue doesn’t seem to list the tankard, so I don’t know anything more about it. A quick Google search finds that this phrase was relatively common on early nineteenth century ceramics, although I don’t know who the Robert Webb was that I assume owned this drinking vessel.

Anyway, another of my random posts, I just liked the wording and the type of person who would acquire this. This reminds me that I haven’t used AI to write a sea shanty recently, so on this worthy theme:

(Verse 1)
Oh, Julian was a sailor bold, with a heart both brave and kind,
He’d sing a tune under the moon, “Keep me in your mind.”
With the rolling waves, he’d sail away, to ports of distant cheer,
Where he’d raise a glass of frothy beer, in a jolly old seafront pub, my dear.

(Chorus)
Yo-ho, hoist the sails high, let’s roam the ocean wide,
In every port, a tale we’ll spin, with laughter as our guide.
Raise a toast to Julian, a sailor brave and true,
Speak of him as you find, with the friendships he’d renew.

(Verse 2)
In every town, the word went ’round, of Julian’s merry ways,
A troubadour with a heart so pure, and a smile that never strays.
From dawn till dusk, he’d share a laugh, with mates both old and new,
And the stories grew as the tankards flew, with cheer in the salty air we knew.

(Chorus)
Yo-ho, hoist the sails high, let’s roam the ocean wide,
In every port, a tale we’ll spin, with laughter as our guide.
Raise a toast to Julian, a sailor brave and true,
Speak of him as you find, with the friendships he’d renew.

(Bridge)
Through storms and gales, his spirit sailed, with courage unconfined,
In every storm, a song he’d form, “Keep me in your mind.”
In the face of fear, he’d lend an ear, to those who felt confined,
In the darkest night, his laughter bright, a beacon for all mankind.

(Verse 3)
Now, Julian’s legend spans the seas, from coast to distant shore,
Where sailors true, with tankards new, sing shanties evermore.
So if you find yourself at sea, in a port of warmth and cheer,
Raise a glass to Julian’s legacy, the sailor we hold dear.

(Chorus)
Yo-ho, hoist the sails high, let’s roam the ocean wide,
In every port, a tale we’ll spin, with laughter as our guide.
Raise a toast to Julian, a sailor brave and true,
Speak of him as you find, with the friendships he’d renew.

(Outro)
So, when you’re in that old seafront pub, and the beer is flowing free,
Remember Julian’s joyful heart, as we sing this shanty at the sea.

July 25, 2023
Beccles Pub Day – Two Julians

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Another day, another study tour. This time to Beccles, to see what delights could be offered in this fine Suffolk metropolis. I boarded the X2 bus at the bus station, whilst Julian boarded a little further down the route and he marched magnificently down the aisle like a strutting peacock.

Safely in Beccles, we were starting our expedition at the Ingate. And the list of pubs that we visited were:

Ingate

Wine Vaults Bar and Restaurant

Bear & Bells

Waveney House Hotel

King’s Head Hotel

Unlike in Wymondham, where we completed all nine venues listed on Untappd, we had a little more difficulty completing Beccles. The Butchers Arms doesn’t open until later in the day and nor do two of the social clubs. We also missed out the Caxton Arms, partly because their lack of real ale meant it didn’t show up on the CAMRA map. However, we’re not amateurs at this, oh no. We’ll be back on another study tour and will also take in some nearby countryside pubs. We’re not one trick ponies who just do urban pubs, we’re two trick ponies who cover the countryside as well.

I would have much liked to have gone in the Ale of a Time shop which was selling a range of beers, but unfortunately they have limited opening hours. Good to see this sort of place opening though.

I make no comment.

We made time to pop into the town’s church.

And off we go at the end of the day. Julian made the ridiculous comment that I needed a new bag, but I ignored that. My McCain’s bag has been going strong for over a decade and it’s not going anywhere (well, technically, it goes loads of places, but you get the idea). Safely back into Norwich, we had enjoyed yet another marvellous day out.

The Ingate is a fine pub, which very much deserves to be in the Good Beer Guide, that was a surprise and delight. The Wine Vaults was more food focused but they were welcoming to drinkers, with the same being true of the Waveney House Hotel and its fine views of the river. The Bear & Bells wasn’t what I expected, but it was hard to fault the King’s Head, which is the JD Wetherspoon venue in Beccles. As mentioned, we’ll be back soon enough, but our next adventure is to Cromer, the pearl of North Norfolk, as well as a trip to Ipswich to add to the mix. And we’re not ruling out doing some even wider straddling and might perhaps treat ourselves to a London study tour at some stage.

July 6, 2023
Beccles – King’s Head Hotel

The final stop in our study tour of Beccles was the JD Wetherspoon operated King’s Head Hotel. For the purposes of these days out we try and avoid eating in Wetherspoons as we want to ideally experience some food in an independent pub, but the Bear & Bells finished food service early and we were left with no other options. I’ve been in this pub before JD Wetherspoon took it over in February 2013, but I can’t recall the previous layout internally as the renovation was quite extensive.

A little information board in the pub notes that the venue’s history dates back to at least the seventeenth century and there’s more about the heritage of the building at http://relicsofbeccleshistory.blogspot.com/2013/02/the-kings-head-hotel-re-opens.html. It’s a shame that so few photos of the interior of pubs exist, but as Julian mentioned, it was hard to take photos inside dark buildings which often had smoke and often had people moving around quite a lot. That means although there are generally plenty of exterior photos of venues, there are few photographic records of how it all looked inside.

The King’s Head was for a long period the main coaching inn of Beccles, with the building being substantial itself as well as having numerous outbuildings. There are likely few operators would could have coped with such a large building, but JD Wetherspoon have utilised nearly all of the ground floor for the pub, the toilets are inevitably upstairs and there’s direct access to their hotel rooms.

There were six real ales which were priced between £1.71 and £2.68 per pint. Not only that but there were some interesting options that I haven’t seen before and a range of beer styles to choose from which included a dark beer.

Using two of my 50p off vouchers this was nearly the cheapest round of the day and we ordered pints here unlike in the other pubs….. The pricing for food may have gone up, but the price for drinks remains one of the lowest around. The service at the bar was polite and they’re operating a queueing system here. This seems to be the latest controversy for some people in this chain’s pubs, where now orderly queues form rather than there being something of a free for all at the bar. I must admit, I don’t much mind what a pub does, as long as it’s clear where I’m supposed to stand.

Tastefully decorated, the pub has plenty of nooks and crannies. The restoration of the venue by JD Wetherspoon feels as though it has been sensitive and they’ve also modernised the accommodation as well for those wanting to stay overnight, with twenty rooms available. I have stayed here before and I remember the rooms being well appointed, quiet and also the prices were reasonable. There’s a lot to be said about this historic venues, imagining the number of coroner investigations, birthdays, wedding parties, fights, drunken behaviour and mischief to think of just a few.

The Red Rocks from Peerless Brewing, a very agreeable and well kept ruby ale.

I went for a chicken and bacon salad which looked well presented and I was surprised and delighted to find a heap of bacon hidden at the bottom as well. For the price point, I felt that this was very acceptable and the service time was ferociously quick. There were also numerous craft beers available as well, I went for the Devils Bridge IPA from Kirkby Lonsdale Brewery, a nice citrus flavoured beer.

Julian was ready for his food. We were at this table as it was one which had a convenient power point for my phone, which once again needed quite a lot of attention as it was a bit worn out. Rather like me really.

And soon after it arrived. I think Julian was content with his food, with the staff offering check backs to ensure that all was well. The collection of empty plates and glasses was also efficient, the venue was well staffed.

What looks like part of the former stable area with the green doors is now used as the pub’s beer cellar. These stretch out further along the building into the large beer garden. It might not look it, but the pub was relatively busy even for a weekday afternoon, with a fair few families in where they’ve taken the kids after school.

The dessert cost £1.70. I’m not suggesting that it was Michelin quality, but it was a biscuity and ice cream mini treat.

And to finish off, the delicious and once again well kept Black Adder from Mauldons.

And some information about carpets in Wetherspoons, which are all unique. I had a little look at the on-line reviews and it’s reviewed about as well as any other outlet in the chain, so they’re clearly doing plenty right. This review amused me for reasons unknown….

“Staff member cleaning the table of plates from previous customers passed me the cloth and asked me to wipe the table myself. I explained I had just washed my hands to eat and would rather not. Staff member argued the cloth is clean enough. She wiped the table, said ‘you’re welcome’ sarcastically and walked off”

And then the endless dogs debate, as they’re banned entirely by the chain. It’s quite awkward at this pub as there’s plenty of external seating, so they have to advertise quite clearly the policy. But it annoys some of those people who love taking their dogs for a little drink.

“I am so very annoyed.Today we went in to Beccles town center with our little dog.We went to sit at the tables a long the side of weatherspoons on the pavement and all the tables said ‘no dogs at these tables’thats surely not right.firstly the tables are on the pavement area at the side of the weatherspoons so its not their private area.we was so looking forward to sitting outside there with our dog having a meal when the weather is nice,but now we will never go in their again.”

This review was posted two weeks ago, so certainly wasn’t a reference to us:

“Full of loud local drunks.”

In the bin 🙂

“We ordered our food from a table that had no number so used next table a long.which the people sitting there were very helpful. The wine came with in 5 min. We waited for our food for 45 minutes it did not arrive. Thought a bit strange so I went in and asked politely if there had been a mix up. The waitress replied ‘o yes it’s in the bin’.”

But, I mustn’t spend too long reading reviews, however tempting it might be.

I am aware that there are some in CAMRA, and indeed some not in CAMRA, who are not best pleased about this chain for various reasons. However, they offered us the widest choice of real ales in the day, they offered the widest choice of craft beers, they were the only pub serving food in the afternoon and their prices were the lowest. The service was efficient and attentive, the surroundings were clean, the atmosphere was inviting and this felt like a professionally run pub. There is far more to a pub than being the cheapest or even having the most beer options, but given everything combined this venue certainly surprised and delighted me.

July 6, 2023
Beccles – Waveney House Hotel

I have visited this pub before, not least for the wedding of friends Rob and Jade a few years ago. It’s a grand building by the River Waveney and the venue’s early history is detailed, quite magnificently, at https://waveneyhousehotel.co.uk/history/. From when it was built in the mid sixteenth century, this was the grandest residential property on the street and it was turned into a hospitality venue in the nineteenth century. One of the owners of the property was John Leman (1544-1632) who became the Lord Mayor of London and the school in Beccles is still named after him.

Here’s how the building looked in the 1960s.

There’s a pleasant conservatory area next to the main dining area, but we were rather more taken with sitting outside in a rare departure from our normal very internal drinking policy. Outside is so often full of dangers such as wasps, bitey insects, snakes, seagulls, pigeons and local drunks that it’s not worth risking, but we didn’t encounter any of those potential issues here.

Not a bad view of the Waveney River. I can see why people have weddings here and there are also 12 rooms for those wanting accommodation.

I went for the Southwold Bitter from Adnams which was well kept and surprised keenly priced given that there was some decadence to the hotel. Although to be fair to them, the service was informal and friendly, I think they’re keen to attract drinkers and diners in so want to be reasonably priced.

The lunch and evening menu. Unfortunately we were too late for lunch and too early for the evening meal….. The dining environment looked clean and comfortable, with the on-line reviews being positive, so I’m sure it would be delightful.

The on-line reviews are generally positive, but I particularly liked the response to this one:

“Had Sunday lunch today with the family.The main coarse roast beef was very poor, the presentation of vegetables was a disgrace. The roast potatoes were very poor. The price was £16.00. Will not be going back. The previous owners food was much superior. If you want a good Sunday roast avoid this venue.”

With the reply being:

“Same owner for last 20 years plus first complaint about roast seriously in that time”.

And then loudchildgate kicked off one night….

“We was on the top floor, we was only in the hotel a maximum of an hour before we went out for dinner. While I was out I had a call (8:30pm) saying there had been a complaint made about me and my kids. “There was banging and a constant baby crying for two hours!” Firstly my “baby” is a 3 year old that if she did winge it was a maximum of 5 minutes. And also we wasn’t even there for two hours.. the “banging” that they was insisting of was my son waking around. (He has autism and adhd and won’t sit still for any period of time) however he does not make any noises or bags.. I explained all this and I was told “just to be respectful of others”. So right away it was ruined, I didn’t even want to go back after dinner. And I couldn’t go down for breakfast in the morning so went elsewhere. But if a child winges, or there is a little bang or two and THAT is warrant for a phone call on my private number while out having a meal, it’s ridiculous. And the way the dealt with it was awful”

But anyway, I digress from our core responsibility of meandering around pubs on our study tour. This venue exceeded my expectations, I had expected something a little more stuffy and expensive, but yet the atmosphere was laid-back and inviting. The view over the river is really most pleasant and we deserved a little decadence on our tour.

July 6, 2023
Beccles – Bear & Bells

Next on our list of pubs to visit in Beccles was the Bear & Bells. We were hopeful of getting food here and I’d been looking forwards to coming to the pub as I’ve spent plenty of time waiting at the bus stops opposite waiting to get the First high speed thunderbolt bus back to Norwich. The pub building dates back to the early seventeenth century and it was known as just the Bear for a long part of its history. There’s more about the history at https://suffolk.camra.org.uk/pub/35, with a suggestion that there might have been two pubs, one called the Bear and one called the Bell. That would make sense and often the most obvious explanation is the right one.

Here’s the exciting real ale selection. I wasn’t entirely surprised and delighted.

The next slightly less than surprising and delighting factor was that they were finishing food service early, so we weren’t eating there either. Here’s what we could have won….. It looked an interesting menu, I would have been very tempted by the fish and chips.

The drinks were the most expensive of the day, so again I can’t say I was thrilled at the whole arrangement. The Blue Moon tasted as expected and had the requisite slice of orange, so that was all good. The drinks range was weak though, it wasn’t what I had anticipated from a town centre pub. However, in fairness, the pub said that they had a delivery issue and so perhaps that was the cause of the problems.

I’m not sure that I’ve seen as many dead flies in a pub for some time and they were covering numerous surfaces. Perhaps the pub was collecting them though for some purpose that I wasn’t aware of. I like the effort being made with holding various events though, they’ve got a quiz and comedy night, with that curry night looking most delightful. Unfortunately, we were a day early for the curry.

There’s an historic feeling to the interior of the pub and the service at the bar was prompt, so that’s all to the good. I actually suspect if we had arrived on a different day when they were serving lunch for the full hours we might have had a very different experience, not least as the recent food reviews are all very positive. There were a few other customers in during our visit, with the atmosphere feeling safe and secure.

The outdoors area offers a view over the square and would be a marvellous place for anyone who fancied taking up bus spotting. As for the pub, this was the most disappointing of the day and not really what I had expected. My expectations were more of a cosy little traditional pub with a selection of real ales and a clean and comfortable environment. However, I don’t want to end on a down point, as it’s always great to see that pubs are still trading and serving their local community. As we still needed food, we would have to rely on visiting the large JD Wetherspoon pub in the town, and I wondered what delights we could expect there.

July 5, 2023
Beccles – Wine Vaults Bar and Restaurant

This venue has two entrances, the main bar accessed through a door to the left (next to the A-Board) and there’s a cellar bar accessible via a different entrance to the right (just out of the photo).

The entrance to the cellar bar is on the left through that fire door and the pub’s kitchen is ahead.

The pub’s menu, which isn’t served all day, but is available at lunchtimes and in the evenings.

There were three beers on which were the dreaded Greene King IPA, Old Speckled Hen and Fuller’s London Pride.

I went for the London Pride, a reliable beer and it was well kept and at the appropriate temperature.

The ground floor of the pub. There’s a strong food focus here, but it’s still welcoming to those who just want a drink. I know very little about wine, but there seems to be plenty of choice available on their wine list, which is appropriate given the pub’s name. As I understand, this naming is though more to do with the cellar bar formerly being used to store wine though rather than to highlight their wine selection.

And the upstairs. The venue is very well reviewed on-line and they have numerous events such as live music. I can’t say I’m overly keen on the “booking enquiries made via email will not be replied to” on their web-site and I can think of more than a couple of people I know who would move onto another venue which had an on-line booking reservation system or who replied to emails. The Sunday roasts look appealing in the photos, I can imagine that it’s worth making the effort to book a table to experience those.

The service was friendly and engaging, with the pub being clean and well maintained. It’s a quirky building with plenty of character and the food coming out looked rather tempting. They might not have been the most exciting variety of real ales, but in all fairness they had three different ones to choose from, with the environment of the venue feeling inviting. Anyway, as I may have mentioned before, all rather lovely.

July 5, 2023
Beccles – Ingate

First in our day out in Beccles was the Good Beer Guide listed Ingate pub, around a ten minute walk from the centre of the beating heart of the town. The Ingate has been serving the local community since 1906 and it was initially built to be a hotel as well, although there’s no longer accommodation offered here.

My first impression is that I was surprised and delighted to see that the two sections of the pub were still separated out into the lounge bar and the saloon bar. The divide now is more between a lounge bar and a sports bar, with some creative interior design to add to the atmosphere. We were welcomed promptly on arriving and it felt a genuinely inviting pub to visit, as well as being spotlessly clean.

This is the sort of DIY project that I’d started and then get bored with after about 25 coins. My friend Liam would probably be tasked with finishing the whole arrangement off.

These resin tables seem to be the on trend design element at the moment.

More decorative work and I have to note that I was impressed with the effort that the publicans have put in here.

There are no shortage of darts boards in the Ingate. There are also numerous screens showing a variety of different sports and for those customers who are excited by the prospect, there’s also karaoke.

If a pub can’t have a bar billiards table then a pool table isn’t far behind in excitement value 🙂 Unfortunately, Julian and I don’t have time for pool during our intensive study tours.

Julian managed to miss this when he walked by it.

There were two real ales available and I went for half a pint of the rather agreeable Little Green Man 1 from Green Jack Brewing, a beer I’ve had a few times in the King’s Head on Magdalen Street. The beer, which is named after the first pulsar signal which was discovered in November 1967, was well kept and was suitably refreshing. I had expected a slightly wider choice of beers, but I enjoyed this one and it’s far better than to have two impeccably kept options rather than four beers that don’t quite taste right.

An article in the Sun ‘newspaper’ mentioning the pub in a favourable manner. We were thanked as we were leaving the pub, something which I always think is a nice customer service touch.

The large external drinking area and I like those little cabin things. This was part of a project during lockdown and the land was previously used as the pub’s car park.

There’s a food truck serving burgers, pizzas, wraps and loaded chips at weekends. The on-line reviews for the pub are nearly entirely positive, so they’re clearly getting a lot right here.

The menu and note the Lacon’s Brewery falcon on the wall.

This is an excellent pub, with friendly service, a clean environment, decent beer and low pricing. Lots of thought has been put into the interior decoration and it feels like a community pub trying to serve a wide range of customers. Quite justifiably in the Good Beer Guide and a marvellous way to start the day’s study tour.

July 5, 2023