The Bell, Haverhill

i believe that the bell has been taken over again, i will talk to the owners and ask them to pop over to this page and update it with there new information.

2 Sep 2009 16:38

The Red Lion, Sturmer

this pub has a VERY well known reputation for all surrounding towns/villages. its just a shame that they seem to be loosing it.. the chef seems to have gotten bored with cooking.. it just tastes like the chef has lost the love of cooking he/she once had.

the pub has changed hands a fair few times in the last 5-6 years i believe its now a mother and 3-4 daughters running the place.

i believe its undergoing some building work not sure its its structural work or just general improvements, but admittedly i forgot to ask. they do allow children and have a play park out the back - but i believe its closed at present due to the building work.

the pub its self is split into 3 sections; the main "conservatory" type area, the main bar and the side room.

the main bar :- BE WARNED if ur TALL prepare to duck down.. the roof is VERY low, a very present area - with the bar spanning the side of the pub, nice selection of beers/bitters/ales and the usual soft drinks, nice large fire place nicely decorated.

the "conservatory's area":- is a bit more what i would class as being like a tea room, if u understand what i mean - its a small out section with small tables in a very open and bright area, just reminds me of those little tea rooms you see scattered around. this is your main door to the bar from the car park, rather nice to come in from a cold day/night and smell the food. though i think it can be a bit off putting if u were eating, draughts etc..

the "Side-bar" a small room at the end of the pub, u wont see it unless ya aim for it.. follow the bar to the end and viola.. its a nice small room, easily fitting 20 people seated for a meal,

the pub food seems to have gone down hill since i last had a meal there, i had a chicken dish which i must admit i was seriously annoyed about.. the chicken was so over-cooked and tasted like rubber.. i mean - come on.. how hard is it to cook a chicken... the vedge was very nice admittedly, not overdone.. not underdone.. so perfect and there was also the option of more vedge if we wished. so have to give them credit for that.

the staff :- some seemed very friendly and some a bit hostile.. maybe she was having a bad day.. cant really judge 1-2 people if you have only seen them for a hour or so. but overal they are quite friendly and helpful,

They have "Club Nights" which are from what i have been told a very good event, i forget the full list but there was a "Pudding Club" and a "Curry Club" from what i can remember, both of which people still speak highly of.. and a few others - so give them a try.. just dont order the chicken :)

i just hope that the management reads this site and understands the criticism's i have and hopefully work to reclaim the pride they once had.

5 Jan 2007 01:31

The Plough Inn, Hundon

neil williams is spot on to be honest,

the views.. incredible to say the least.. if your lucky enough to watch a sunset from the garden it will make the experiance 30 times better as the views are astounding..

parking - gravel carpack - but lots of spaces, just be careful pulling out of the carpark as its a blind turn to the left, and right..

its location is very middle of no-where really - you have to know where your going to get there really - but it is sign posted in kedington, you just have to be confident that your going the right way when the signs stop and your out in the open country roads.

again as neil said - the food is very nice, the chef cares about the food he makes and he does it extremly well, and again the Hunky Lamb.. gorgous..

you have 2 types of food - the general pub lunch bar menu featuring all the classic pub meals, and lots of daily specials on the boards. and the resturant food, which really is high quality, and the portions are plentyful lots of great dish's loaded with herbs and spices which complement the food to give it an even better feel.

this pub has a very good name locally for its food and its well deserved..

the pub is quite small and is oftern populated with many locals, most of which drink & drive there and back, so i must warn you to be careful on the long twisty contry roads, stick to your side of the road at all times... there are many blind turns and high bushes either side of the roads so be very careful..

the hotel side is also very good, the rooms are small but they are packed with everything you will need and again as neil said - 4 posters for the romantic weekend trip away.

there is a piano in the corner of the resturant - though i have yet to experiance someone playing it, though it might just be for those special occassions like christmas, valentines, weddings etc etc

the beer, always a good standard of beer, pipes cleaned regularly and cleaned well, a small selection of ales and beers but there is always a guest ale on the menu, plenty of spirits and soft dirnks also - a bit more expensive than in haverhill, but then again its a bit more luxury so it evens out.

the staff can be a bit fikle.. sometimes you will get them on a good night where they are very friendly and happy others they will look misserable.. and u will feel a bit out in the cold..

generally a great place to eat..
Highly recommended for the food alone..

20 Dec 2006 12:22