Plans to extend the pub in 2020 are still in progress and are nearing completion. The extension is almost complete but has required the relocation of the brewery. Once completed will provide views of the garden located to the rear of the premises. Mark Dorber was in touch in mid-October to inform us that the pub will be reopening soon.

An attractive and lively two bar pub in the village centre. An area to the rear of the lounge bar is used for dining. Pool and other pub games are available in public bar.

The building is part of a historic former coaching inn dating from about 1520. The original medieval structure was at least 3 times larger than what now remains and included a second wing located on the far side of the car-park, which was eventually destroyed by fire.

The inn also once had stabling to the rear of the premises, for about 200 horses. George II once stayed overnight here on route to London. On the other side of the road is a Victorian pumping station close to the remains of a lock on the River Stour, which is the county boundary and was once navigable from Manningtree (in Essex) to Sudbury.

The pub offers two to three cask ales, plus the odd beer on gravity from the cellar and over 75 bottle conditioned beers - a list that will grow.

A hop garden has been planted at the pub and a (very) small on-site brewery started production in September 2016.

The pub has been owned since late 2012 by Sophie and Mark Dorber. The Dorbers also own and run the Walberswick Anchor.