Wherstead Oyster Reach
Wherstead Oyster Reach
formerly Ostrich
North West, 52.03305,1.15007
Cask Ale is sold here.
Bourne Hill, IP2 8ND
grid reference TM 161 418
motel, opened 1612
owner/operator: Queensway
Reopened by Queensway Inns in late August 2026 (next to the Premier Inn) with a value food focus. Cask ale may or may not be available.
Please refer to the pub's website and/or Facebook page or otherwise contact the pub for further details pending further information becoming available.
The pub was previously part of the (now closed) Beefeater chain.
Facilities
Beer garden or other outside drinking area
Dogs welcome
Evening meals
Family friendly
Lunchtime meals (not just snacks)
Parking
WiFi available
Railway station about 1.6 miles away (see transport links for details)
Gallery
Nearest railway station
Ipswich: 1.6 miles (2.6km)
Smock 0.63 mile
Steamboat Tavern 1.17 miles
Silver Star 1.21 miles
Station Hotel 1.25 miles
Margaret Catchpole 1.25 miles
Marinero Lounge 1.34 milesHistorical interest
The pub is shown on this old OS map from about 1902 (interactive map)
Owner/operator: Whitbread
The original Ostrich has been laid waste by a new Beefeater development, with the addition of a 50 bedroom Travel Inn. À la carte menu available.
Beers: Whitbread Boddingtons Bitter; Whitbread Flowers IPA, Original; guest beer (Whitbread list )CAMRA's 1997 Suffolk Real Ale Guide
According to Leonard P Thompsons book "Inns of the Suffolk coast", this inn stands on land that was once part of the Manor of Bourne hall. Land acquired in 1609 by the great lawyer and Chief Justice, Sir Edward Coke. He also bought Wherstead hall in 1600. Reputedly the new inn soon became known as the Ostrich because the Coke family crest included an ostrich, not because of local oyster beds…
Landlords
Footnote
Oyster beds were once quite common along the river estuary and a popular local food - whilst the earlier name could be a reference to the coat of arms of Sir Edmund Coke (1552-1633) an eminent Elizabeathan lawyer and former speaker in the House of Commons and local land-owner.
(Most pub, location & historic details collated by Nigel, Tony or Keith - original sources are credited)
(some old PO directory information courtesy of londonpublichouse.com)
(** historic newspaper information from Stuart Ansell)
(*** historic book information from Bob Mitchell)
