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Cold water swimming is not only an exhilarating and enjoyable activity but also offers a range of remarkable health advantages. You might be wondering how subjecting yourself to icy waters could be beneficial, but trust us; the benefits are numerous! Plus, we've sought out the best spots for chilly dips near our pubs. UNVEILING THE HEALTH BENEFITS Many avid swimmers have embraced cold water swimming during the colder months for its potential health perks. If you're hesitatin

Guest blog post by Riannah @riannaheve Nestled amongst the serene setting of the Suffolk countryside, The Weeping Willow offers a picturesque escape from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. The lodges promise a haven where guests can rejuvenate and reconnect with nature. ARRIVAL Upon arrival, we were greeted by a very friendly team who brought an immediate sense of comfort. The Weeping Willow recently built 7 beautiful lodges behind the restaurant and bar area, which

Throw on a second layer, lace up your boots and set off on an East Anglian adventure; We're introducing our top picks of bits and bobs to get up to as the leaves turn golden and the days get colder. So, get ready for some family-fun in celebration of Halloween or, just for adults, our personal favourite, Oktoberfest! They’ll certainly be giggles, but maybe a few scares too this Autumn. SUFFOLK Whether you're stopping off at the coast or exploring some of the historic market t

Toast a decade of Chestnut with Eastern Gold, a beer brewed with Barsham Brewery . This golden ale boasts a rich hue, long-lasting flavour and balanced notes of British hops with subtle citrus. A true tribute to our region! As a collection of pubs in an area renowned for its agricultural heritage and fields of award-winning malt, marking our anniversary with a limited-edition beer was an exciting prospect. Alas, we didn’t have any brewing equipment and only elementary knowled

With the opening of our newly refurbished Lawns Rooms , we were keen to find out a little more about the soft furnishings and accessories that were hand-picked by our designer, Lucy . Alongside pastel hues and up-cycled furniture, our fifteen bedrooms incorporate key pieces, such as rattan head boards, heavy linen curtains and handwoven rugs, from the luxury home accessory brand Birdie Fortescue . Lucy and Birdie worked closely to bring Lucy's vision for the Lawns Rooms to l

From Romantic painter John Constable, known for his landscapes around Dedham, to sculptor Maggi Hambling, East Anglia has always been rich with inspiration for the creative industries. There's annual literature festivals, such as Felixstowe Book Festival , and celebrations of music at the Aldeburgh Festival , but with plenty of museums, galleries and stately homes on our doorstep, there's always a new exhibition for art lovers to rejoice in. CAMBRIDGESHIRE This summer Cambri

A guide to making the most of summer Sundays in our region. From strolls around Farmers markets, to visits to vineyards and the best places to pick your own fruit. FARM SHOPS & FRUIT PICKING Sharrington Stawberries .in Holt, Norfolk, is a popular spot for picking your own berries. Sharrington Farm is independent and family run growing top quality asparagus, berries and soft fruits. You'll often find their strawberries on our menus. Willow Tree Farm Shop close to Long Melfo

Guest blog post by Anna @suffolksisters IN AND AROUND In April I headed over to the Westleton Crown, a delightful pub in the idyllic village of Westleton, Suffolk. Think an immaculately kept tree-lined village green and pond, quaint church, bookshop, tearoom and duck crossing signs! Enroute to my stay, I stopped off in the nearby historic town of Framlingham to visit family, and of course the famous Framlingham castle. I couldn’t believe how buzzing this town has become; the

Your ultimate guide for things to do in our region within easy reach of our Chestnut pubs with rooms! From festivals and carnivals, to family fun and summertime walks, art exhibitions and unique experiences. SUFFOLK The Suffolk landscape offers many different walking terrains from beach, to woodland, to heath. Try our Nine Stile Strid e around Long Melford for lush water meadows and woodland or our coastal Round Route walk that includes a pit stop at both The Westleton Crown

Our new steel framed, timber panelled eco-friendly lodges are officially open to overnight guests and we've been gathering photographs throughout the building process to share these exclusive before & afters with you. By eliminating the need for concrete in the building of these lodges, Mbloc’s signature style reduces the amount of carbon embedded in the building’s materials by over 70%. The wood-fired hot tubs are a special addition and guests can relax in them guilt-free

Whether you're looking for a spot to build a sandcastle or would prefer to sunbathe with a book in hand, these six Suffolk beaches - and their respective villages and towns - are a must-see in or off season. ALDEBURGH AND THORPENESS The colourful, quintessential fishing town of Aldeburgh is home to independent shops, miles of shingle beach and Maggi Hambling's 'Scallop' - a giant tribute to one of Aldeburgh's most famous residents, Benjamin Britten. Another blue plaque to loo

With the exciting opening of our lodges at The Weeping Willow this month, we wanted to highlight some of the experiences, days out and family fun to be had around West Suffolk within easy reach of the pub. EXHILIRATING EXPERIENCES Go Ape Thetford: If you're up for an adventure, head to Go Ape Thetford , located near Bury St Edmunds. Go Ape offers exhilarating treetop adventures, including zip lines, rope courses, and Tarzan swings. It's a great activity for both children a

Written by Katie of @thesundayfeeling - gifted pr stay We’re fortunate to live just over an hour away from the beautiful North Norfolk coast. The golden sandy stretches of beach, picturesque towns and villages and wildlife-abundant, gently rolling countryside is what makes the county so appealing. Despite this, we don’t visit as much as we would love to, so when we were invited to experience the new Hidden Holt walking map and stay in one of the family rooms at The Feathers

We have kicked off 2023 with a keen commitment to sustainability and the new willow lodges are a manifestation of this. Our 7 new steel framed, timber panelled eco-friendly lodges are officially open to overnight guests from Friday 26th May. CONSTRUCTION We chose construction company Mbloc for their construction methods that have less impact on the surrounding environment while encouraging and supporting biodiversity. Mbloc are a local, family business and have achieved carb

With the opening of our lodges at The Weeping Willow fast approaching, we were keen to find out a little more about the inspiration behind the interiors from our designer, Lucy, before the seven individually styled lodges are unveiled. Describe the lodges in four words. Natural, relaxed, environmentally-conscious. What’s been your biggest inspiration behind the Willow Lodges? Nature was my main inspiration - we wanted to produce lodges that fit into the natural setting and pr

Six beaches that we recommend you visit in or off-season! Whether you're looking for somewhere to build sandcastles or sunbathe, or to walk along a coastal path and see the local wildlife, there's a shoreline with your name on it. BLAKENEY Known for boat trips to Blakeney Point to see the seal colonies, Blakeney is also an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. The quaint village and coastline is more suited to 'grown ups' who enjoy bird-watching and hiking along the Norfolk Co

There are over fifty golf courses in East Anglia! We have made it easier to choose where you next tee off by whittling your options down to six courses we would recommend in our neck of the woods. From fanatics to new-comers, these clubs range from playing host to major tournaments to nine-holers, so there's something for everyone. GOG MAGOG OLD COURSE Cambridge This course isn't especially long, but has often been voted the best course in the Cambridge area. Par or birdie ch

On Saturday 25th March we invited guests to join us at three of our pubs for an evening of environmental activism and candlelit suppers as part of the Earth Hour global initiative. Earth Hour was founded by the WWF, and focus' on promoting reduced energy consumption and pledging commitment to fighting climate change. Each year millions of people across the globe unite for Earth Hour to show that they care about the future of our planet, by switching off for one hour. For our

Guest Writer Emily Goodwin Booked a stay by the Suffolk coast during the off-season? Here’s a guide to some of the best-kept secrets of the seaside towns when sunbathing on the beach is not an option. ALDEBURGH Even on a gloomy day, The Scallop on Aldeburgh beach is a sight to behold. Designed as a tribute to local composer Benjamin Britten, the shell was commissioned in 2003 of artist Maggi Hambling. Aldeburgh is a goldmine for artists, with the Beach Lookout Art Gallery o

Whether you're celebrating with your other half, friends, or just want an excuse to treat yourself to something delightful, we've compiled some of our favourite gifts and experiences to share this Valentine's Day. LITTLE LUXURIES Not all of us go into full-blown Valentine's mode, however, I know that you can't go far wrong with buying a beautiful bouquet or box of fancy chocolates for that special someone. The Flower Hut , based near The Weeping Willow , is an independent f