Originally licensed as the Coachmakers Arms beerhouse (recorded as early as 1874), this was unusual for a beerhouse in also being licensed for wine sales. The name was changed to the Oriental in February 1889. It got a full license on March 2nd 1959, the license being transferred from the Beccles Red Lion.

On my only visit here (about 1990) I recall a very dated 1960s bar with a formica bar counter and Watneys Red Barrel clock.Nigel Smith

I am very interested in my family history and have a letter dated 1 Dec 1938 written to my great grandmother here in NZ from her niece Mildred Evelyn Ellis who, with her husband were managers of the Oriental Inn in Halesworth, Suffolk. She writes
..."we are staying on here as managers for the Brewers because we thought we should have gone back to Yoxford where my dear daughter lays by now but it is nice to think we are still earning and it passes the time away, for my husband is very active yet."
Mildred would have been 58 at the time and her husband Ernest Le Guay Ellis about 66. He died in 1942 aged 69 in Suffolk.Virginia Graham

Owner/operator: Pubmaster
Closed, future in doubt.CAMRA's 1997 Suffolk Real Ale Guide