The Bildeston Crown

Tucked away on the high street of the sleepy Suffolk village of Bildeston, The Crown is a 15th-century, Grade II listed pub with rooms that punches well above its weight. Inside, you'll find dog-friendly bars, light-filled dining spaces, pretty courtyards and terraces, and seriously comfortable en-suite bedrooms - split into Woodland, Game and Orchard categories, with the Orchard rooms going all-out with super-king four-posters. 

The Crown is owned and managed by the Buckle family's Nedging Hall Estate, and its estate-to-plate ethos is the real deal: venison on the menu is shot on the estate, and fruit and veg come straight from the kitchen garden less than a mile away. Executive chef Greig Young, who joined in 2024 after nearly 20 years in professional kitchens, keeps things seasonal and unfussy: think genuinely good British cooking with a strong sense of place. He and The Crown were both shortlisted for the Eat Game Awards 2025 - for Best Game Chef and Best Pub respectively - and Young has also been named a Suffolk Magazine Chef of the Year finalist.

They offer a Sunday Dine & Stay package from £230, which includes a three-course dinner (up to £90) on Sunday evenings, with an overnight stay and breakfast the next morning, as well as a Midweek Dine & Stay package (from £300) - this includes a two-night stay, a three-course dinner on the first night, and breakfast on both days. Whether you're after a long Sunday lunch, a proper weekend escape, or a private dining room for a celebratory dinner, this one's worth the detour.