The Eight Bells

The exterior of this timber-framed pub gives way to contemporary interiors, where you can relax with a pint, sample a gin or two from their collection, or chow down on some tasty pub grub. Part of Chestnut, The Eight Bells is a welcoming watering hole on the border of Essex and Cambridgeshire, in the market town of Saffron Walden. The thoughtfully put together menu changes regularly, always featuring seasonal ingredients: expect anything from Norfolk crab with sourdough crumpet and kohlrabi slaw, and rabbit pie with mustard and tarragon to Suffolk chicken with bread pudding, mushrooms, cavolo nero and jus, and beer battered haddock with tartare, pea salad, and chips. For a sharing option, choose from dishes like mixed paella. And of course, similar to the other Chestnut properties (many of which have rooms, too), The Eight Bells is thoroughly dog-welcoming.