The Bildeston Crown

This 15th-century coaching inn has been something of a local landmark for centuries, and a foodie destination for well over a decade. In its day Bildeston was one of the wealthy Suffolk wool towns, and although this is hard to discern in what is nowadays a peaceful, pretty village in one of the quieter corners of Suffolk, its unique rooms and excellent food mean the tradition continues to this day.

The Bildeston Crown has 13 guest rooms, and as you might expect in a building of this vintage, they come in all shapes, sizes and designs – an individuality that the owners have decided to emphasise with a variety of decorative styles from traditional to contemporary. Mostly beamed and timbered, they divide into three categories – Classic, Superior and Luxury – and the main difference between each is the size of the room, the bed and the bathroom. All have baths but three rooms have separate walk-in showers as well. Classic rooms have double beds while Superior upwards have either a king-size or super-king-size bed, and one room has a four-poster. They also have a twin room and a single room. All the rooms have tea-and coffee-making facilities (including Nespresso machines), homemade biscuits, complimentary water, Freeview TVs and good WiFi. Unusually, there's also a lift, so they are all – to that extent at least – accessible if you have trouble with stairs. Breakfast is a delicious menu-based affair, with an excellent Full Suffolk alongside the usual eggy suspects, kippers and smoked salmon.

These days The Crown is part of the nearby Nedging Hall estate, which means that veg is often local and venison is almost always on the menu. The menu also features dishes like chalk stream trout, slow cooked lamb, and local pork, chicken and fish dishes, many of them served with delectable rosti chips. Puddings may well involve the fabulous chocolate they make not far away in Middleton, just up the A12, and beer is local too, from Mauldons in Sudbury, which is also owned by the estate  (which also owns the nearby Lindsey Rose pub). There's a relaxed, pubby vibe to the place overall, although service is on-point and there are lot of different rooms to explore – two bars for drinks, a spacious restaurant, private dining rooms and a sheltered courtyard for summer eating, drinking and carousing. One of the nice things about The Crown is that it can really be as informal or as much of a special occasion as you like. With comfy rooms, great food, country walks in every direction and Lavenham and Long Melford just a short drive away, it's the perfect base for exploring this quiet, picturesque and historic part of Suffolk.