Combs Ford Magpie
opening hours
- Mon-Sat: 1200-2400
- Sun: 1200-2300
food times
- Mon-Tue: closed
- Wed-Sat: 1200-1430, 1730-2000
- Sun: 1200-1500
regular cask ales
- Greene King IPA [H]
- Sharp's Doom Bar [H]
guest beers
This pub serves 1 guest ale.
listed building grade II
Combs Ford is part of the Stowmarket parish.
Local licensing authority for Combs Ford is Mid Suffolk
CAMRA Ipswich & East Suffolk branch.
last updated Jan 24th, 2023.
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Combs Ford Magpie
East, 52.17988,0.99756
Cask Ale is sold here.
1 Combs Ford, IP14 2AP
grid reference TM 050 577
opened before 1619
A large Free House, serving up to a number of cask ales alongside an impressive selection of modern craft ales.
It offers a variety of drinking areas including two main bars and a garden, and has an interesting range of food in the restaurant.
There's a full traditional Carvery every Sunday (with 3 meats carved for you and you can help yourself to fresh vegetables). Booking is always advisable to secure a table.
There's live entertainment most Fridays, from bands to karaoke, all semi professionals, including Jazz, Soul, Motown, Reggae, rock, etc with the occasional Sunday afternoon Jazz, and Friday/Saturday music.
The building dates from the early 17th century, with late 20th century alterations.
There's an annual gin festival, with over 240 different types available.
Note: only open until 2300 on bank holidays.
Facilities
Accessible to disabled customers
Beer garden or other outside drinking area: New beer garden
Beer served through handpumps
Bus stop nearby (see transport links for details)
CAMRA members' discount scheme: On production of a current membership card
Cash machine
Evening meals
Family friendly
Live music: Most Friday nights
Lunchtime meals (not just snacks): Sun only Carvery noon-3pm
Parking
Restaurant or separate dining area
Separate bar
Traditional pub games available
WiFi available
Railway station about 0.8 miles away (see transport links for details)
Gallery
Nearest railway station
Stowmarket: 0.8 miles (1.3km)Other nearby Suffolk pubs
Gladstone Arms 0.02 mile
Willow Tree 0.40 mile
Royal Oak 0.47 mile
Fred's Bar & Vinyl 0.50 mile
Queen's Head 0.59 mileHistorical interest
The pub is shown on this old OS map from about 1903 (interactive map)
Owner/operator: Pubmaster
Large inn at the very heart of Combs Ford. A variety of drinking areas and a recently completed restaurant and non smoking area. Interesting and value for money menu.
Beers: Tetley Bitter; Whitbread Flowers OriginalCAMRA's 1997 Suffolk Real Ale Guide
The pub was called the Pye (or Pie) before 1726. It may be listed at Ford.
APetty session for Hundred of Stow, for the hiring and retaining of servants to be held at Mag Pye in Combs on last Tue in September by order of Chief constables… Dinner at 2 o clock by their humble servant Thomas Kimball..…
Landlords
Footnote
The name may refer to an ancient meaning for the word magpie, "a half pint".
(Most pub, location & historic details collated by Nigel, Tony or Keith - original sources are credited)
(detailed information from Neil Langridge - and also Brian Southgate - see their book "Stowmarket, Combs and Stowupland Pubs" published by Polstead Press in 2009)
(** historic newspaper information from Stuart Ansell)
(1891 census information from Dudley Diaper)
