The Nutshell, Bury St. Edmunds

A rushed visit to this "smallest pub" candidate. I had spent the day driving around photographing pubs for this website that had not previously been depicted, and it was rapidly growing dark as I parked nearby. The parking ticket machine ditheted so long over accepting my card that my alloted time was even shorter than the half hour I had paid for. So I dashed round here for a swift half of Abbot (NBSS 4, £5/pint) before moving swiftly on. Maybe a more leisurely visit another time. By train.

The Nutshell is a perfect name for this tiny little pub, that thankfully only had one other customer during a recent midweek evening visit. The other customer turned out to be a local of long standing, so he relayed the history of this pub and pointed out all the dead creatures that are found on the walls and hanging from the ceiling. Hanging above the bar is a mummified cat that was found bricked up in the walls, and framed on the walls are a dead mouse, dead spiders, and I think I saw a dead woodlouse. I was also told the story of the human hand that sadly had to be removed due to some stupid law about not displaying dead bits of humans in your pub. On my way to the toilet, I was impressed with all the bank notes stuck to the walls all the way up the two stories of stairs and I wondered where they all came from. Coming back down to the bar this conundrum was answered because ten or so American students had descended on the place making it very cosy. They were taking pictures so the penny dropped that this must be a pub of note, especially for overseas students. I love a quirky and memorable pub like this, it’s just a shame that the two hand pumps were drawing GK’s IPA and Abbot Ale, but what else was I to expect in Bury-St-Edmunds. This place is worth a look for the interest, but I can’t see a return visit now that I’ve been.

Tiny old traditional bar, luckily with paving on the street. Hard bencg seating around the small serving area, enough room for about 10 people if they are friends.

I have been looking forward to calling in here. The last time I was in the area was during lockdown and table service would be impossible in the Nutshell. It is tiny. Only 15 customers allowed and it's hard to picture that many people in here. Very friendly service. Greene King Abott and IPA on offer. The IPA was fine. Well worth a visit for the novelty factor alone!