The Crown & Castle

Founded by former hotel inspector Ruth Watson and now part of the Hotel Folk group, the Crown & Castle is an outstanding place to stay and to eat. It bills itself as a 'restaurant with rooms', and food is very much to the fore here, with the emphasis on local ingredients and the service a perfect blend of attentive and relaxed at the same time. What you eat really depends on the time of year, but there's usually a good selection of fish and seafood – lots of goodies from Pinneys  nearby fish shop and smokery  and a great selection of simple meat and fish options, including fish and chips, steaks and homemade pies along with more adventurous and/or exotic fare like a great 'fritto misto' with local fish. They use lots of local Suffolk suppliers like Sutton Hoo chickens, bread from the Pump Street Bakery across the square, even a local supplier of ketchup, and it's all deliberately – and successfully – understated; plus you can sit outside in the garden, either to eat or to enjoy a pre-dinner aperitif. The rooms meanwhile divide between 'Best' rooms in the main house and 'Terrace' rooms in a separate building, plus one suite with its own terrace. All are bright and contemporary and recently re-furbished, with super-king beds and well-appointed  bathrooms; dogs are welcome in the five ground floor Terrace rooms and they can curl up with their owners in the bar, or if they're organised enough get their owners to book the one dog-friendly table in the restaurant.  Dogs also get treats, poo bags and towels in their room. Read More