Village pubs in peril

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Suffolk's village pubs are an endangered species, as are village pubs across the whole country. They face many challenges such as rural depopulation, supermarkets and other shops selling booze at pocket-money prices and greedy pub companies. The village pub is often the last facility left once the Post Office and village shop have closed; when the pub closes as well, it can rip the heart out of the village community.

Pub closures are nothing new, but the 20th and 21st centuries have seen a massive contraction in the pub trade and with it a huge increase in the number of villages without a pub.

There are 65 parishes in Suffolk where we have so far failed to find records of even a single pub (though in three of these we have unconfirmed suggestions that there may once have been a pub). In a Parliamentary answer of August 1907, Home Secretary Herbert Gladstone recorded that 100 Suffolk parishes (77 in East Suffolk, 33 in the West) had nowhere with an on-sales license.

At the time of writing (January 2015) there are 191 Suffolk parishes permanently without a pub (plus 14 where the last pub is currently closed but we still hold out some hope that it may reopen).

And many more villages are in danger of drying out; there are currently 198 parishes where only a single pub remains. Even those that are thriving at present can't be guaranteed to keep trading; it only takes a greedy company to spot that they can make a quick killing by building a load of homes on the pub and its land, and another pub can be lost. And just because a parish currently has several pubs, that's no guarantee it won't dry out; Wetheringsett-cum-Brockford once had eight pubs, but today not a single one remains open.

Dry parishes map

(click map to see larger view) Dry parishes map

Download time-lapse video

dry parishes graph

Parishes that have never had a pub

  • Akenham
  • Ampton
  • Aspall
  • Athelington
    (Bank Inn rumoured but unconfirmed)
  • Badley
  • Boulge
  • Braiseworth
  • Brightwell
  • Burgh
  • Capel St Andrew
  • Chilton
  • Cransford
  • Culpho
  • Dallinghoo
  • Darmsden
  • Debach
  • Ellough
  • Flixton (nr. Lowestoft)
  • Flowton
  • Gedgrave
  • Gipping
  • Gisleham
  • Great Livermere
  • Harleston
  • Helmingham
  • Hemley
  • Hengrave
  • Holton St Mary
  • Hoo
  • Hunston
  • Ickworth
  • Ilketshall St John
  • Kettlebaston
  • Knettishall
  • Lackford
  • Langham
  • Letheringham
  • Linstead Magna
  • Little Finborough
  • Little Livermere
  • Little Whelnetham
  • Monweden
    (unconfirmed beerhouse)
  • Nettlestead
  • Nowton
  • Ringshall
  • Santon Downham
  • Shelland
  • Shelley
  • Sutton Heath
  • Shipmeadow
    (possible Compasses, unconfirmed)
  • St Margaret South Elmham
  • Sternfield
  • Stowlangtoft
  • Stratton Hall
  • Sutton Heath
  • Thorington
  • Thornham Parva
  • Wangford (Forest Heath)
  • Wantisden
  • Wattisham
    (Bildeston Red Lion was historically in this parish)
  • Wenham Parva
  • Westley
  • Willingham St Mary
  • Willisham

Parishes that are now dry

with last pub and when it closed (dates may be approximate as precise details aren't always available).
  • Aldham (Sportsman, about1955)
  • All Saints & St Nicholas South Elmham (White Lion, 1937?)
  • Alpheton (Lion, 1964)
  • Ashbocking (Lord Nelson, 1984)
  • Ashfield cum Thorpe (Swan, 1977)
  • Barnardiston (Red Lion, about 1891)
  • Barnham (Grafton Arms, about 2016)
  • Barsham (unidentified, pre-1840)
  • Bawdsey (Star, about1970)
  • Baylham (George Brown's beerhouse, 1900?)
  • Bedingfield (Red Lion, 1960)
  • Belstead (Buck's Horns, 1933?)
  • Benacre (Walnut Tree, 1877 or 1888)
  • Benhall (Horse & Groom, about 1860)
  • Boxted (Fenstead End King's Head, April 22 1936)
  • Boyton (Bell, 1999)
  • Bradfield St Clare (Victoria, about 1970)
  • Bradfield St George (Fox & Hounds, 2012)
  • Brampton with Stoven (Stoven Cherry Tree, April 2011)
  • Bredfield (Castle, 2016)
  • Brettenham (Crown, 1977)
  • Brockley (Fox & Hounds, 1988)
  • Bruisyard (Butchers' Arms, about 1969)
  • Brundish (Crown, 2019)
  • Burgate (King's Head, 14th March 1958)
  • Burstall (Half Moon, 3rd October 1971)
  • Cavenham (Plough, 1969)
  • Chattisham (beerhouse, about 1949)
  • Chediston (Duke, 3rd March 1958)
  • Clopton (Crown, 1995)
  • Coddenham (Duke's Head, 2014)
  • Combs (Gardeners' Arms, December 2012)
  • Cookley (unidentified, pre-1840)
  • Covehithe (Anchor, 1881 or 1882)
  • Cratfield (Poacher, 2017)
  • Creeting St Peter (Unidentified - may not have been on-sales, 1869?)
  • Culford (White Hart, 1840)
  • Denham (Mid Suffolk) (Green Man, 10th May 1956)
  • Denham (St Edmundsbury) (Plough, about 1888)
  • Denston (Plumbers' Arms, 2007 or earlier)
  • Depden (unidentified, probably late-19th century)
  • Drinkstone (Cherry Tree, about 1998)
  • Erwarton (Queen's Head, 2009)
  • Euston (Fox, between 1871 & 1883)
  • Fakenham Magna (beerhouse, about 1915)
  • Falkenham (Dog, 1970)
  • Farnham (George & Dragon, 1996)
  • Fornham St Genevieve (unidentified, pre-1840)
  • Frostenden (unidentified, late-19th century?)
  • Gedding (Fox & Hounds, 1819)
  • Gosbeck (Greyhound, 1970)
  • Great Ashfield (Thurlow Arms, 1983)
  • Great Bradley (Fox, 1986)
  • Great Thurlow (Rose & Crown, 1989)
  • Hacheston (Queen's Head, 1937?)
  • Hargrave (Bull, 1995)
  • Hawstead (Metcalfe Arms, 2013)
  • Hemingstone (Hare & Hounds, pre 1837)
  • Henstead with Hulver Street (Hulvergate Lodge, about 1990)
  • Hepworth (Duke of Marlborough, 2010)
  • Herringswell (beerhouse - possibly off-sales only, about 1933)
  • Heveningham (White Lion, 1969)
  • Higham (Babergh) (King's Head, about 1973)
  • Higham (Forest Heath) (Station Hotel, about 1960)
  • Hitcham (White Horse, 2015)
  • Hinderclay (Bell, about 1952)
  • Holton (Lord Nelson, 2016)
  • Horham (Dragon, 1966)
  • Iken (Anchor, about 1889)
  • Ilketshall St Andrew (Hare & Hounds, post-1937)
  • Ilketshall St Lawrence (Royal Oak, about 1973)
  • Ilketshall St Margaret (Greyhound, about 1957)
  • Ixworth Thorpe (Royal Oak, 2008)
  • Kenton (Crown, 1976)
  • Linstead Parva (Greyhound, 4th March 1955)
  • Little Blakenham (Leather Bottle, about 1850)
  • Little Bradley (Royal Oak, 1998)
  • Little Cornard (Bell, about 1960)
  • Little Wratting (Rising Sun, 2013 or earlier)
  • Marlesford (Bell, 2003)
  • Metfield (Duke William, August 2009)
  • Mettingham (Tally Ho, January 2009)
  • Mickfield (Dragon, about 1976)
  • Milden (Plough, about 1903)
  • Monk Soham (Oak, 30th April 1970)
  • Mutford (Northwood, 1994)
  • Nacton (Anchor, about 1892)
  • Palgrave (Red Lion, 4th March 1937)
  • Parham (Willoughby Arms, about 1987)
  • Peasenhall (Swan, 1996)
  • Pettaugh (Bull, 1978)
  • Playford (Kicking Donkey, about 1892)
  • Poslingford (Shepherd & Dog, about 1985)
  • Raydon (Chequers, 1997)
  • Redisham (Wig, about 1930)
  • Redlingfield (Crown, 1966)
  • Rickinghall Superior (White Horse, 2016)
  • Rishangles (Swan, about 1943)
  • Rushmere (Three Tuns, about 1890)
  • Sapiston (George, about 1880)
  • Semer (unidentified, pre-1840)
  • Slaughden (Three Mariners, 1918)
  • Somerton (Hare & Hounds, 1950)
  • Sotherton (Cross Bows, about 1881)
  • Sotterley (Falcon, about 1973)
  • Southolt (Plough, about 1990)
  • St Cross South Elmham (Fox & Hounds, about 1973)
  • St James South Elmham (White Horse, 1991)
  • St Michael South Elmham (Jolly Farmer, 2nd March 1959)
  • Stanstead (White Hart, 2003)
  • Stonham Aspal (Ten Bells, March 2013)
  • Stratford St Andrew (Black Swan, about1820)
  • Stuston (Swan, 1958)
  • Sudbourne (Chequers, 1991)
  • Syleham (White Horse, 1965)
  • Tannington (Horseshoes, about 1962)
  • The Saxhams (Stammerkin, pre-1840)
  • Thelnetham (White Horse, 2019)
  • Thrandeston (Queen's Head, about 1959)
  • Thorpe Morieux (Bull, 2013)
  • Timworth (Oaks beerhouse, about 1875)
  • Ubbeston (Wheatsheaf, about 1964)
  • Uggeshall (Buck, about 1975)
  • Walpole (Bell, 1970?
  • Wattisfield (Suffolk Barn, 2008)
  • West Stow (Three Horseshoes, about 1890)
  • Westhorpe (Westhorpe Hall, 1981)
  • Weston (Duke of Marlborough, about 1935)
  • Wetheringsett cum Brockford (Wetheringsett Cat & Mouse, 1993)
  • Weybread (Crown, 2015)
  • Whatfield (Four Horseshoes, 1999)
  • Whitton (White Horse, pre-1840)
  • Wickham Skeith (Swan, 30th April 1967)
  • Wilby (Swan, about 1950?)
  • Willisham (Shoulder of Mutton, about 1909)
  • Winston (Royal Oake, pre-1840)
  • Wixoe (Griffon, 1901?)
  • Wordwell (Chequers, 1880?)
  • Worlingham (Colville Arms, 2000?)
  • Wyverstone (Plough, 16th January 1958)

Temporarily dry parishes (Jan 2019)

Where we hope the last pub will reopen.
  • Alderton (Swan)
  • Butley (Oyster)
  • Chedburgh (Marquis Cornwallis)
  • Earl Stonham (Shepherd & Dog)
  • Eyke (Elephant & Castle)
  • Flempton (Greyhound)
  • Framsden (Dobermann)
  • Henley (Cross Keys)
  • Hessett (Five Bells)
  • Little Bealings (Admiral's Head)
  • Little Waldingfield (Swan)
  • Troston (Bull)
  • Wetherden (Maypole)
  • Wickham Market (George)
  • Worlingworth (Swan)

Parished down to their last pub (Jan 2019)

Fingers crossed...

  • Acton (Crown)
  • Assington (Shoulder of Mutton)
  • Bacton (Bull)
  • Badingham (White Horse)
  • Badwell Ash (White Horse)
  • Barham (Sorrel Horse)
  • Barking (Fox)
  • Barnby (Swan)
  • Barningham (Royal George)
  • Battisford (Punch Bowl)
  • Bedfield (Crown)
  • Bentley (Case is Altered)
  • Blaxhall (Ship)
  • Blundeston (Plough)
  • Blyford (Queen's Head)
  • Blythburgh (White Hart)
  • Botesdale (Greyhound)
  • Bramfield (Queen's Head)
  • Bramford (Cock)
  • Brandeston (Queen)
  • Brent Eleigh (Cock)
  • Bromeswell (Unruly Pig)
  • Bucklesham (Shannon)
  • Buxhall (Crown)
  • Campsea Ashe (Duck)
  • Capel St Mary (White Horse)
  • Charsfield (Three Horseshoes)
  • Chelsworth (Peacock)
  • Chevington (Greyhound)
  • Chillesford (Froize Inn)
  • Coney Weston (Swan)
  • Copdock & Washbrook (Brook)
  • Corton (White Horse)
  • Cotton (Trowel & Hammer)
  • Cowlinge (Three Ways)
  • Creeting St Mary (Highwayman)
  • Cretingham (Bell)
  • Crowfield (Rose)
  • Dalham (Affleck Arms)
  • Darsham (Fox)
  • Debenham (Woolpack)
  • Dennington (Queen)
  • Earl Soham (Victoria)
  • Easton (White Horse)
  • Edwardstone (White Horse)
  • Elmsett (Rose & Crown)
  • Elveden (Elveden Inn)
  • Eriswell (Chequers)
  • Felsham (Six Bells)
  • Finningham (White Horse)
  • Flixton near Bungay (Buck)
  • Fornham All Saints (Three Kings)
  • Fornham St Martin (Woolpack)
  • Freckenham (Golden Boar)
  • Freston (Boot)
  • Friston (Old Chequers)
  • Gazeley (Chequers)
  • Gislingham (Six Bells)
  • Great Barton (Bunbury Arms)
  • Great Blakenham (Chequers)
  • Great Bricett (Red Lion)
  • Great Finborough (Chestnut Horse)
  • Great Glemham (Crown)
  • Great Waldingfield (White Horse)
  • Great Whelneatham (Rushbrooke Arms)
  • Great Wratting (Red Lion)
  • Groton (Fox & Hounds)
  • Grundisburgh (Dog)
  • Harkstead (Bakers' Arms)
  • Hartest (Crown)
  • Hasketon (Turk's Head)
  • Haughley (King's Head)
  • Hawkedon (Queen's Head)
  • Hintlesham (George)
  • Hollesley (Shepherd & Dog)
  • Homersfield (Black Swan)
  • Honington (Fox)
  • Hopton (Vine)
  • Hoxne (Swan)
  • Huntingfield (Huntingfield Arms)
  • Icklingham (Guinness Arms)
  • Ingham (Cadogan)
  • Kedington (Barnardiston Arms)
  • Kersey (Bell)
  • Kettleburgh (Chequers)
  • Kirton (White Horse)
  • Knodishall (Butchers' Arms)
  • Lawshall (Swan)
  • Leavenheath (Hare & Hounds)
  • Levington (Ship)
  • Lidgate (Star)
  • Lindsey (Rose)
  • Little Glemham (Lion)
  • Little Thurlow (Cock)
  • Lound (Village Maid)
  • Market Weston (Mill)
  • Mellis (Railway Tavern)
  • Mendlesham (King's Head)
  • Middleton (Bell)
  • Monks Eleigh (Swan)
  • Moulton (Packhorse)
  • Nayland with Wissington (Anchor)
  • Nedging with Naughton (Wheelhouse)
  • Newbourne (Fox)
  • Newton (Saracen's Head)
  • North Cove (Three Horseshoes)
  • Norton (Dog)
  • Occold (Beaconsfield Arms)
  • Offton (Limeburners)
  • Onehouse (Shepherd & Dog)
  • Otley (White Hart)
  • Oulton (Blue Boar)
  • Ousden (Fox)
  • Pakenham (Fox)
  • Pettistree (Greyhound)
  • Pinewood (Chestnut Tree Farm)
  • Preston-St-Mary (Six Bells)
  • Purdis Farm (Olive's Bar)
  • Ramsholt (Ramsholt Arms)
  • Red Lodge (Red Lodge)
  • Rede (Plough)
  • Rendham (White Horse)
  • Reydon (Randolph)
  • Rickinghall Inferior (Bell)
  • Ringsfield (Horseshoes)
  • Risby (Crown & Castle)
  • Rumburgh (Buck)
  • Rushmere St Andrew (Golf)
  • Saxtead (Old Mill House)
  • Shadingfield (Fox)
  • Shimpling (Bush)
  • Shottisham (Sorrel Horse)
  • Sibton (White Horse)
  • Somersham (Duke of Marlborough)
  • South Cove (Five Bells)
  • Spexhall (Huntsman & Hounds)
  • St Peter South Elmham (St Peter's Brewery Tap)
  • Stansfield (Compasses)
  • Stanton (Cock)
  • Stoke Ash (White Horse)
  • Stoke by Clare (Lion)
  • Stonham Parva (Magpie)
  • Stradishall (Cherry Tree)
  • Sutton (Plough)
  • Sweffling (White Horse)
  • Swilland (Moon & Mushroom)
  • Theberton (Lion)
  • Thorndon (Black Horse)
  • Thornham Magna (Four Horseshoes)
  • Thwaite (Walnut Tree)
  • Tostock (Gardners)
  • Trimley St Martin (Hand in Hand)
  • Trimley St Mary (Mariners)
  • Tuddenham (White Hart)
  • Tuddenham St Martin (Fountain)
  • Tunstall (Plough & Sail)
  • Waldringfield (Maybush)
  • Wenham Magna (Wenham Queen)
  • Wenhaston with Mells Hamlet (Star)
  • Westhall (Racehorse)
  • Whepstead (White Horse)
  • Wherstead (Beefeater aka Oyster Reach)
  • Wickhambrook (Greyhound)
  • Wingfield (de la Pole Arms)
  • Wissett (Plough)
  • Witnesham (Barley Mow)
  • Woolverstone (Riverside)
  • Wortham (Manor House)
  • Wrentham (Horse & Groom)
  • Yaxley (Cherry Tree)
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