android appButley Oyster
regular real ales
- Adnams Southwold Bitter [G]
- Woodforde's Wherry [G]
Local licensing authority for Butley is East Suffolk
CAMRA Ipswich & East Suffolk branch.
last updated Sep 26th, 2021.
Something we've got wrong about this establishment? Something more you think we should know about it? Please email us
Butley Oyster
North, 52.1064,1.4572
Real Ale is sold here.
Woodbridge Rd, IP12 3NZ
grid reference TM 368 509
bar / diner, opened 1617 or earlier
Now fully refurbished. Traditional rural pub with lots of character.
According to A Survey of Suffolk Parish History, the Oyster was first recorded in 1732, though part of the interior dates back to the 16th century. The new owners in 2016 have found documents showing that a license payment was made to James I back in 1617!
Butley Brewhouse started brewing at the pub at the beginning of 2018, though this is thought to have ceased operation.
There's even an on-site cinema!
Facilities
Accessible to disabled customers
Beer garden or other outside drinking area
Beer served direct from the barrel by gravity
Bus stop nearby (see transport links for details)
Dogs welcome
Evening meals
Family friendly
Live music
Lunchtime meals (not just snacks)
Parking
Quiet pub - no electronic games, piped music or jukebox
Real fire
Separate bar
Traditional pub games available
Village shop or similar facility on-site
Gallery
Nearest railway station
Melton: 5.5 miles (8.9km)Other nearby Suffolk pubs
Boardwalk 2.4 miles
Tavern 2.5 miles
Green Man 2.6 miles
Duck 4.0 milesHistorical interest
The Oyster is shown on this old OS map from about 1902 (interactive map)
A report in the Bury & Norwich Post** on Dec-26 in 1838 states that the pub was part of the sale of Samuel Alexander's Brewery, the Oyster selling at £820.
William Tebbenham, a game keeper, went to the Butley Oyster where he spent several hours drinking, quarrelling with different people but particularly with his brother in law Joseph Chilvers. Things got a bit out of hand which ended with Chilvers slapping Tebbenham in an attempt to quiet him. At about 7pm a friend and neighbour of Tebbenham, James Mace, went into the Inn and seeing the state his friend was in decided he would get him home. At just about 10pm Mace got him out of the Oyster and saw him home, the journey was slow and Tebbenham fell several times…
Landlords
Footnote
Oyster beds in Butley Creek, where oysters were cultivated for centuries, once enjoyed a fine reputation until the trade died out in the late 19th century. Since 1950s the beds have been gradually restored by Richard Pinney, so that today the Butley Orford Oysterage is again an established local industry offering not just oysters but also cod, bass, sole, skate, lobster, crabs and various smoked foods.
(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 newspaper information from Bob Mitchell)
