Tucked away in the depths of rural Suffolk is a quaint and picturesque village which is home to The Westleton Crown. This secret gem is a stunning historic hotel and restaurant offering 34 rooms spread across a scattering of charming houses and chocolate-box cottages, arranged around the central hub of the inn.
Hotel
Sitting on the edge of the Westleton Heath National Nature Reserve, the coaching inn is steeped in history, welcoming visitors for centuries past. With stories dating back to the 12th century, The Westleton Crown has long provided shelter and sustenance to weary travellers making their way to and from the nearby coastline and pretty waterfront Anglo-Saxon village of Dunwich nearby.
There’s a lot to do in the local area including endless walking routes through rural countryside, stunning woodland and along dramatic coastline, as well as many picture-perfect towns and villages to explore, such as the charming seaside resort of Southwold and the pretty, bustling market town of Saxmundham.
Room
Our room was upstairs, nestled amongst the loft rafters, in one of the inn’s pretty cottages surrounding the car park. Decorated with warm pinks and dark blues, the room felt cosy and stylish with a vaulted ceiling adding to the sense of grandeur in an otherwise modest but comfortable space.
We had a large super king-sized bed dressed in brightly patterned cushions and a plush throw. A wooden dressing table provided a practical space to get ready and there was a large, snug sofa for relaxing, while a door opened onto a little wooden balcony with a bistro set for enjoying a quiet morning coffee while listening to the birds singing (although perhaps not on the soggy, chilly morning we awoke in our room!)
The large, bright bathroom boasted a traditional roll-top freestanding tub – ideal for a long soak in the bubbles – and a vast walk-in shower, the perfect spot for unwinding after a busy day exploring the local countryside or getting ready before an evening in the eatery.
Food and drink
The log fires were crackling and filling the pub with a warm, cosy heat, creating an intimate and homey ambience on a cold autumnal eve. A warren of exposed brick corridors, charming archways and quiet nooks and crannies lead off of the central bar, and through to a maze of snug dining areas and relaxed lounges.
As soon as you arrive at the Crown’s restaurant – and the smiles of the friendly, welcoming front-of-house team – it’s easy to see why this delightful eatery regularly earns itself a spot on numerous lists of the top places to eat in Suffolk, and why the team has secured many awards and accolades. All of the staff chat to you like you’ve been dining there for decades while retaining an impeccably professional level of service.
The surroundings in the pub’s dining room – a stunning orangery adorned with pretty fairy lights and large green trees – are romantic and charming. It was a lovely place to settle in for the evening, with a glass of wine, and catch up with an old friend, who joined me for my visit.
The menu offers a wide variety of seasonal dishes to cater to many tastes and dietary requirements; we were spoiled for choice. While we decided what to have we tucked into some delicious homemade focaccia before I finally selected the courgette fritters; fresh green vegetables grated and stuffed with gooey cheese and smothered in a light, refreshing lemon aioli. To follow, I chose the North Sea cod fillet with crab sauce, garlic green beans and potato terrine; the fish was juicy and succulent but the beans could have been flavoured more strongly with garlic.
My favourite part of the dish, however, was the potato terrine which was warm and filling, but seasoned perfectly, and complemented brilliantly by the rich fishy sauce. Despite feeling slightly ill at this point, the staff very kindly made us some small portioned desserts so I could try the chocolate brownie with vanilla ice cream. My only complaint at the end of the evening was that we weren’t able to finish every last bite!
We returned to the dining room the following morning to tuck into a yummy breakfast. The continental options were laid out as a buffet with fresh juices and cereals on offer, alongside homemade Greek yoghurt and berry compote which we topped with crunchy granola. Guests can also choose from a hot menu with an East Anglian cooked breakfast – or a vegan alternative – as well as breakfast buns, avocado on toast, and smoked kippers all on offer. I had the eggs Florentine with lush wilted spinach, creamy hollandaise sauce, perfectly-cooked poached eggs and crispy but soft muffins; a brilliant start to the day.
To do
If you’re planning a festive getaway to get into the Christmas spirit then a local must-visit attraction is Helmingham Hall’s Illuminated Garden Trail. The pretty trail weaves through the Hall’s formal gardens, along the moat and over the drawbridge – which has been drawn every night since the stunning stately home was completed in 1510 – and through the copses.
Created entirely by the in-house Helmingham team, the lights are designed and finished with an understated elegance and simplicity, brought to life with a serene soundtrack of classical music that helps create a beautiful atmosphere and allows your imagination to stretch back throughout the Hall’s fascinating history.
Centuries-old trees are illuminated with multicoloured lights dancing through the leaves; twinkling festoons hang in the treetop canopy overhead and the perfectly manicured topiary is dressed with fairy lights; while glowing lamps float in the tranquil moat which reflects the spectacular projections that bounce across the 16th century Hall. The lights bring the gardens to life with tiny robins perched in the branches, cheeky rabbits hidden amongst the undergrowth, and deer prancing across the lawns.
Street vendors sell toasted nuts, mulled wine and steaming hot dogs along the route while Wright’s Café is also open to offer a wider menu of tasty treats, and the shops are packed full of Christmas wreaths, decorations and gifts. This is the perfect place to enjoy some sophisticated festive cheer and enjoy this whimsical winter wonderland.
In a nutshell
The Westleton Crown is an idyllic rural bolthole hidden in the quiet and relaxing setting of Suffolk. It makes the perfect festive escape for the magical Christmas season where you can enjoy a comfortable night away from home, with lots of fun activities on your doorstep, and a menu packed full of delicious dishes.
Factbox
Double bedrooms at The Westleton Crown are available from £92 per night, including breakfast. Dog friendly rooms are also available.
Address: The Westleton Crown, The Street, Westleton, Saxmundham IP17 3AD
Phone: 01728 648777
Website: westletoncrown.co.uk
The Illuminated Garden Trail at Helmingham Hall Gardens is on every evening, gates open from 4.30pm, until Sunday 17th December. Tickets must be booked in advance and cost £22 for adults and £11 for children (aged 3-15). Dogs on leads are welcome.
Helmingham Hall’s Gardens will also be open from 1st May 2024 to 30th September 2024, Sundays to Thursdays, 10am-5pm. Tickets cost £8 for adults, £4 for children, and under 5s go free; dogs on leads are also welcome. Find out more online at helmingham.com.
