The Bildeston Crown

Located in the heart of bucolic Suffolk, The Bildeston Crown is set within a striking yellow-fronted and oak-beamed 15th century building. Complete with ornate furnishings, tasteful oil paintings that nod to its hunting and game specialisms, a roaring fire and cosy yet elegant furnishings, this is a welcoming bolthole you’ll find yourself wanting to return to.

Provenance is the order of the day here, underpinned by a strong ‘estate-to-plate’ ethos. In the kitchen, executive chef Greig Young combines his Scottish ancestry and flair for preparing game with a bounty of fresh, local produce at his fingertips. Just two miles up the road is Nedging Hall Estate, a family-owned country estate where many of the kitchen’s ingredients are grown and sourced. The game is shot by the estate’s owner, and makes its way onto the Bildeston Crown menu in the form of a venison lasagne, and venison and black pudding scotch egg.

The bar is set high from the outset with cocktails by the fire and a pint of Mauldons Pale Ale, also owned by Nedging Hall Estate. Next comes the arrival of ‘snacks’ – warm, crisp sourdough baguettes that would befit any Parisian bakery and seeded treacle and soda bread baked in-house. The mushroom arancini are spherical clouds of umami mushroom risotto doused in Parmesan, begging to be dipped in accompanying garlic mayo.

As the courses progress, dishes continue to be meticulously designed, executed, presented and served, with even a veggie celeriac main providing a depth of flavour you’d expect in a meat dish. Nedging Hall estate produce consistently takes centre stage, whether it’s the pickled walnuts that top the celeriac, quince sorbet that sits beside the irresistibly pillowy burnt Basque cheesecake, delicate leaves of ivory kale served alongside chalk stream trout, or spheres of pickled apple, on which a pearly fillet of plaice is laid.

Wines are impeccably paired with thoughtful consideration from the restaurant manager throughout and the service shines. Everything from the food to the setting is charming and considered – and there are even rooms conveniently situated upstairs for when bellies are full and bedtime calls.

Owned and run by Nedging Hall Estate, a Suffolk based hospitality brand, The Bildeston Crown is a true country pub that sits firmly on Bildeston High Street. Surrounded by the stunning Suffolk countryside, The Bildeston Crown is absolutely everything you'd want from a countryside pub – cosy, dog friendly and charming. The menu pays particular attention to locally sourced produce, and just like the Suffolk landscape, they change often. Fortunately for you, the team works with local suppliers and businesses to source the very best ingredients and bring you an unforgettable experience.

The lunch and dinner menu kicks off with snacks, like the smoked haddock bites with lime mayo and homemade treacle soda bread. The starters sound absolutely delightful, with options of celeriac and apple soup with a Waldorf salad and soda bread, a pork and pistachio terrine with Moletrap mustard and toast, and pepper cured chalk stream trout in yoghurt, with a citrus salad. Sage gnocchi with roast squash, ricotta and a hazelnut dressing begin the selection of mains, followed by baked cod with butter beans, pancetta, Jerusalem artichokes and chard, and braised venison shoulder with kale and a date and pickled walnut salad.

Dining with a loved one? Order the sharing dish of Dedham Vale sirloin on the bone with bernaise, honey roasted carrots, peppercorn sauce, hand cut chips and seasonal greens. Finishing off, it's time for dessert. Enjoy a BBQ fig leaf crème caramel or tosier dark chocolate mousse with banana and milk ice cream. On Sundays, there are some impressive roasts to choose from. Enjoy the roast beef with carrot puree and horseradish sauce or pork with parsnip cream and applesauce, both served with roast potatoes, root vegetables, greens, braised cabbage, a Yorkshire pudding and gravy.