The Three Horseshoes, Helions Bumpstead

If you like really small pubs, this is ideal - the bar & seating area is very small and claustrophobic. Your private conversations maybe easily overheard. The restaurant dining area is a bit bigger.

Still, bar staff seemed okay and waiting staff were friendly with well-presented food on offer.

15 Feb 2007 12:24

The Red Lion, Sturmer

Being a newcomer in Haverhill, I really do not like going to the pubs in the town centre - they are a lot of local folk who seem to spend all day and night getting drunk & rowdy. I was recommended the Red Lion by a couple who ran a local B&B we stayed at.

The staff are very friendly, lovely food, good beers/lagers on tap, nice atmosphere, excellent beer garden & childrens area.

I do have to agree with Ashingdon Man regarding the 'charity' collectors - nothing more annoying when you are out to unwind with friends/loved ones when someone standing next to you with a bucket of cheap roses, grinning like a cheshire cat until you politely say that you're not interested.

15 Feb 2007 12:13

The White Hart, Haverhill

This is going to sound rather strange. I've been in this pub twice - both times had atmospheres at different ends of the spectrum.

We were looking to buy a house in Haverhill so went up beforehand to survey the area and local pubs. We entered this pub at about mid-afternoon on Saturday in March - hardly anyone in, bar management/staff were pleasant and food wasn't bad. It's a large pub and very cosy when exetremely quiet.

The second time we went in was FA Cup Final day about 2 months later - Haverhill is a London-overspill town and many locals support West Ham. It was probably not the best time to pop in for a quiet drink!! The local young men, all beer-y and boozy was very rude as we tried to shuffle our way to the bar. We have never been in a Haverhill Town Centre pub since!

15 Feb 2007 11:33