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The Carpenters Arms Chestnut

UK England East Anglia Cambridgeshire Cambridge

01223 827 444 10 High St, Great Wilbraham, Cambridgeshire CB21 5JD

4 Guest Bedrooms
Boutique Country Pub

Boutique rooms and excellent pub food midway between Cambridge and Newmarket

Just outside Cambridge on the road to Norwich or London, you'll see a sign for the 'Wilbrahams', a catch-all name for three villages between Cambridge and nearby Newmarket – Great Wilbraham, Little Wilbraham and Six Mile Bottom – which sit amid the Cambridgeshire fens, right on the border of Suffolk. Great Wilbraham is home to the National Stud so attracts a fair few horse-racing folk, and is a pretty village in its own right. It's also home to a welcoming old pub, the Carpenters Arms, that is not only a decent local but one that has recently received a terrific contemporary makeover.

The Carpenters Arms has been in business for well over two centuries, and it's great to see it brought up to date – not only for local drinkers and diners but also out-of-towners looking for a countryside escape. As well as serving great, seasonal food, it has four comfortable boutique rooms upstairs and is an excellent choice for a stopover if you're visiting Cambridge or Newmarket, or just enjoying the countryside nearby on a break from London: Great Wilbraham is a pleasant village, and makes for a lovely spot to enjoy the delights of this part of East Anglia, with a variety of gentle walks on your doorstep, exploring Great Wilbraham Common or the pub's own 'Wellington Boot Wander.' And four guest bedrooms on the top floor of the pub offer a cosy and contemporary place to stay, three with king-size beds and en-suite wet rooms while a fourth larger room has a super-king-size bed and sofa bed and all with freeview TV in the rooms.

Downstairs, the pub remains all oak beams and open fires but wrapped around this is a glass dining room that makes a fabulous, airy place to eat, with a lively vibe delivered by long dining tables and an open kitchen cooking up Modern British food that really hits the spot – everything from chalk stream trout and Cromer Crab to rare breed pork and mac 'n' cheese, on menus which are re-written every season. They serve roasts on Sundays, a decent kids menu, and it's very family-friendly. Head down for breakfast and enjoy their breakfast table. It is a little more than a continental with fresh boiled eggs, fresh smoked salmon alongside fresh breads, Skyr yogurts, cereal, and more. Finally, like the other Chestnut pubs, dogs are welcome throughout, and get their own menu in the restaurant, as well as treats, a bed and all sorts of desirable doggy items in the guest rooms. A proper pub in all respects then, and one well worth considering for a weekend break.

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Details

Open

Open all year.

Pricing

Double rooms £125–£145 a night including continental breakfast.

Location

Contact Website 01223 827 444 The Carpenters Arms, 10 High St, Great Wilbraham, Cambridgeshire CB21 5JD

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Facilities

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Reviews

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Rated ★★★★★ over 4 reviews

★★★★★

In a word - exceptional

Yesterday we had THE BEST Sunday lunch. Everything about it was perfect. A fabulous selection of vegetables with so much flavour, the beef was tender and delicious. Husband had roast pork and he’s still raving about it! Puddings were just sublime. We go to the Carpenters a lot and it’s always good but it seems to have just gone next level. Service was bang on. In a word - exceptional. Thank you.

Oct 24, 2023 by Erica Marrett

★★★★★

Fabulous place!

An amazing venue. Delightful for foodies, fun crowd and families and friends. Great on-trend food, loved the lamb. Good veggie options also. We took friends they loved it and the stylish decor as well. Team make you so welcome and really care. Highly recommend the Carpenter Arms!

Sep 12, 2023 by Jane

★★★★★

Would recommend!

From being met at the entrance to the whole attention of detail at the Carpenters Arms, we were impressed. Carefully laid out, to give a feel of being very spacious and and a dining experience that was second to none. The young waitress that served us today was very professional, it was indeed her first day. I had to compliment her on her amazing service. The food was really tasty and presentation was delightful, no complaints at all. The place was full and had a great atmosphere.

Aug 20, 2023 by Rachel

★★★★★

Lovely room, lovely staff!

The Carpenter’s Arms was a delight to stay in. The room was lovely, with extremely comfortable bed and bedding, a sparkling clean bathroom and good facilities. The staff were very friendly and could not have been more helpful, even when we were a bit of a pain with our arrangements. We would thoroughly recommend staying here. There was nothing not to like!!

Jul 26, 2023 by Catherine