The Packhorse Inn, Suffolk

Overview

Moulton resident Philip Turner snapped up his seriously neglected village local back in 2013 and lavished money on the place, transforming it into very cool country inn - the first for his niche Chestnut Group of pubs across East Anglia.

The whole place may look pristine, with a stylish interior and innovative menus, but it's still a pub at heart, with a buzzy bar and a big local drinking trade, although the feel is very much a smart gastropub - rugs on polished floorboards, rich fabrics, bold artwork, leather armchairs and cool Farrow & Ball hues. The completion of four extra annexe bedrooms, taking the total to eight stunningly chic rooms, transformed the pub into a beautiful place to stay as well as dine, bolstered by its prime location in horse racing country.

Eat alfresco at posh teak tables on sunny summer days in the sheltered side garden and enjoy the pastoral views across Moulton's vast village green. In winter cosy-up over dinner by the wood-burner in the garden tipi replete with candles, blankets and cool lighting.

Rooms from
Doubles: £140

Good to know

Amex not accepted, Visa / Mastercard / Maestro all accepted
Disabled access
Alfresco & private dining
Winter Dining Tipi
Parking available
Dog welcome overnight

Events and celebrations
The Club Room is the perfect venue for regular wine dinners, "Meet the Brewer" evenings, shoot lunches, drinks parties, the occasional film night and small, intimate weddings.

Outdoor adventures
Explore the gorgeous fields and low-lying landscape of rural East Anglia by foot or ask the inn to help organise a shooting party.

Family Favourite
Kids very welcome overnight, with cots and extra beds available. Smaller portions from the menu are available.

Rooms

The eight individually designed bedrooms ooze quality, comfort and style with no expense spared in the design, furnishings and extra touches.

The four upstairs rooms are named after the surrounding hills, boasting big bathrooms with tubs and walk-in showers. Blue-painted Folly has a roll-top bath at the end of the bed, Plantation has a French-inspired décor and views across the village green, whilst Coach House rooms have under floor heating, walk-in showers, and access to the terrace.

The rooms in the ground-floor extension are named after four rivers which flow close to the village. Each has the wow factor, featuring quirky lamps, painted furniture, wooden floors, and brass beds topped with the best linen and mohair throws. Indulge in fresh coffee and homemade shortbread, and for breakfast, there's the full Suffolk or smoked salmon and scrambled eggs.

Restaurant & bar

With a menu built around creative modern British cooking, expect fantastic local ingredients, simply described menus and beautifully presented dishes.

Food is innovative without being pretentious, with excellent bar snacks, classic pub staples, and imaginative main dishes. The focus is on local, seasonal produce, notably Red Poll beef and lamb reared in Moulton, Fordham pork, Elveden Estate and local allotment vegetables. This may translate to miso-glazed mackerel, rhubarb, elderflower, crème fraiche and chive; Sutton Hoo breast of chicken, wild garlic, gnocchi, wild mushrooms, baby leeks and Aspall's cream; Yorkshire rhubarb and custard trifle, stem ginger ice cream and pistachio sponge. Feasting Sunday roasts to share (4-6 people) roast includes treacle glazed shorthorn fillet of beef, ox cheek slow cooked in Nethergate ale and roasted bone marrow.

The choice of drinks at the bar will keep even the most serious imbiber happy for hours. Beer aficionados will find tip-top ales from Woodforde's, Adnams and Purity, alongside local ciders and lagers. You'll also homemade fruit gins and vodkas, and a first-class list of wines, including 18 by the glass.

Private dining

The Club Room provides lots of flexibility for those wishing to host a private dinner, celebration or get-together. With independent access to the garden terrace it has the option of being totally private from the rest of the site - seats up to 40 people.

Things to do

You're not far from Cambridge here, so why not spend the day wandering the historic city or punting on the river? Told through the eyes of local foodies around the city, award-winning Cambridge Food Tour will take you off the beaten path. Either join a public date or arrange a bespoke private tour.

Six miles from Cambridge, Denny Abbey and Farmland Museum has a fascinating history and an impressive array of family-friendly attractions. The site's Farmland Museum includes a fenman's hut, blacksmith's and wheelwright's workshops.

Nature lovers can discover a secluded world of flowering meadows and reedbeds at Wicken Fen Nature Reserve, described by the National Trust as 'a window onto a lost fenland landscape'. Here, you'll find hen harriers and bitterns, dragonflies, moths and wildfowl. There are also herds of Highland cattle and Konik ponies.