The Buxhall Crown, Buxhall

No longer a 'pub' really, it must be said. This is now a smart country restaurant although one or two rather bemused village locals still come in for an occasional pint, but they seem distinctly uncomfortable at the sight of their former pub hosting the lunches and dinners of affluent 'furreners'.

The food, though, is good if a little pricey. Beer is normally GK IPA plus a guest, often something marvellous like Tindalls or Woodfordes, all of it impeccably kept. Also the standard range of lager and Guinness, plus a very good wine and champagne selection.

A bit of nostalgia....I used to come here to drink 20 years ago as I had friends in Woolpit and Stowmarket, both of which are almost equidistant from the Crown. It was a remote, quiet GK pub in those days, where the only food you were likely to get was a pickled egg. We used to drink IPA (which was a different beer in those days!) and sit on the red velvet banquettes that lined the walls in both bars. It was a great old pub. The Crown was once reputedly the local of the late, great John Peel, who lived just up the road in Finborough. I recall him commenting about it in an interview, saying that his loyalties had now been transplanted to the Chestnut Horse in Finborough because he was sick of hearing people in the Crown asking for rocket salads!!!!

28 Dec 2007 08:52

The Five Bells, Rattlesden

Truly a proper drinkers local. The Rattlesden Bells, hidden from passers by who normally end up in the Brewers Arms. A free house, there is a rapidly changing line up of (mainly) local beers, no food, hardly any wine, but notable pickled eggs and pork scratchings. On a Wednesday, the chip van calls nearby so you can enjoy fish & chips with your pint. Sometimes has live music and sports, and also has a large garden fronting on to the Bells meadow which hosts various village events. Still has some of those great 1970's posters in the Gents, such as '20 reasons why a beer is better than a woman'!

12 Dec 2007 15:59