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Hessett Five Bells
Hessett Five Bells
formerly Bells?
East, 52.22031,0.833
Currently closed - may reopen?
The Street, IP30 9AX
grid reference TL 936 617
owner/operator: Greene King
The pub can be seen on this old OS map from about 1903 (interactive map)
currently expected to reopen in September or October 2022
Close to the A14 (Beyton junction) but off the beaten track, in the centre of this pretty village & opposite the Norman church, the heavily timbered Bells is a cosy pub. Two bars either side of the entrance lobby have log fires in large fireplaces. The massive Tudor brick post holding the sign above the entrance is said to be all that remains of the entry to a long demolished stately home. A record of landlords back to 1753 is framed in the bar.
Not only is the pub itself a Listed Building; the pub sign is also Grade II Listed. The building was constructed in several phases in the 16th & 17th centuries.
Facilities
- Beer served through handpumps
- Bus stop nearby (see transport links for details)
- Lunchtime meals (not just snacks)
- Real fire
Railway station about 2.5 miles away (see transport links for details)
Gallery
Historical interest
Owner/operator: Greene King
no real aleCAMRA's 1997 Suffolk Real Ale Guide
A reference appears in the Ipswich Journal*** on October 24th 1767 to the Six Bells in Hessett (should read Five Bells?)
Died on the 4 Jan 1885, Sophia, widow of William Hubbard, formerly of the Bells Inn, Hessett, aged 64. Ipswich Journal, Jan 1885**
Walter Manning was accused of stealing straw, stover (corn stalks) and chaff (corn husks) for the stable he used at the Five Bells. Found guilty he was sentenced to 10 days hard labour.Ipswich Journal, January 25th 1896** (when Henry Hubbard was the landlord)
Landlords
(Most pub, location & historic details collated by Nigel, Tony or Keith - original sources are credited)
(1891 census information from Dudley Diaper)
(old PO directory information courtesy of londonpublichouse.com)
(** historic newspaper information from Stuart Ansell)
Old OS map reproduced with the permission of the National Library of Scotland.