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Woodbridge Olde Bell & Steelyard
Woodbridge Olde Bell & Steelyard
formerly Three Goats, Stillyards, Fox, Bell, Bluebell
North West, 52.09399,1.31544
Cask Ale is sold here.
103 New St, IP12 1DZ
grid reference TM 272 491
bar / diner, opened 15th century
owner/operator: Greene King
This prominent, historical multi-roomed pub dates from about 1540. Facilities include a bistro, the main bar, a narrow public bar and an enclosed conservatory. The patio garden is also very popular in good weather. The main bar includes a large fireplace and high beamed ceiling.
Live rugby is televised in public bar on all home nation match days.
The food is an eclectic mix of styles to suit most tastes.
Outside is the listed "steelyard" - which is an impressive 15th century weighbridge that gives the pub its name. The only other pub with a steelyard like this is the Fountain at Soham in Cambridgeshire.
The steelyard was nearly destroyed in the early hours of March 10th 2018 when it was hit by an HGV, which failed to stop. Police say they have located and spoken to the driver who will be "interviewed for traffic related offences in due course". It has since been repaired.
There's a toilet for disabled customers.
Facilities
- Accessible to disabled customers
- Beer garden or other outside drinking area
- Beer served through handpumps
- Bus stop nearby (see transport links for details)
- Dogs welcome
- Evening meals
- Family friendly
- Live music
- Lunchtime meals (not just snacks)
- Real fire
- Separate bar
- Smoking area
- Sport TV
- Traditional pub games available
- WiFi available
Railway station about 0.4 miles away (see transport links for details)
Gallery
Nearest railway station
Other nearby Suffolk pubs
Historical interest
The pub is shown as the Bell on this OS town plan from 1881 (larger map).
Owner/operator: Greene King
Listed C15th building with the weighbridge or steelyard still in evidence above the street. Pleasant atmosphere featuring fine floral displays in the non smoking conservatory. Good ale and generous portions of home cooked food - eve meals Wed.-Sat. only. GBG listed.
Beers: Greene King IPA, Rayments Special, Seasonal Ale, AbbotCAMRA's 1997 Suffolk Real Ale Guide
To be sold by the Assignees of John Bucke, Brewer, Bankrupt of Framlingham: Lot 3 A good accustomed Public House, known by the Sign of the Steelyards, situate in Woodbridge, with a steelyard thereto belonging, and all conveniences for weighing hay…
Landlords
(Most pub, location & historic details collated by Nigel, Tony or Keith - original sources are credited)
(** historic newspaper information from Stuart Ansell)
(*** historic newspaper information from Bob Mitchell)