The Duke of Marlborough, Ipswich

Another Suffolk community pub, the car park of this pub had partly been laid out with tables for a Jubilee beer festival weekend beer festival. The timber-framed building looks a little crooked when looking at it side-on from the outside. Inside was somewhat more modern. It has been opened up, without completely destroying the character. Wooden floors give it a traditional feel. The ultra-noisy modern washing machine with failed bearings didn't make it particularly peaceful. Just one handpull was clipped (Adnams Southwold Bitter) at the bar, with the friendly barmaid quick to point out that there were several more real ales (and real ciders as it happened) available in the garden at the rear. On stillage were Mauldon's Ploughman's & 225, Crouch Vale Brewers Gold, Cliff Quay Three Sheets To The Wind, Greene King Celebration, Earl Soham Elizabeth & Wolf Platinum Jubille. Boxed ciders were Lilley's Mango Cider, Peach Cider, Strawberry Cider & Wild Dog & Weston's Family Vintage. It was very quiet inside. Along with the welcoming and chatty barmaid were a couple of men who I'm not sure were staff or customers. Neither appeared to be drinking. Apparently most customers were at a jubilee event somewhere else in the village. The barmaid was expecting an influx of customers shortly after that had finished. The rush hadn't materialised by the time we moved on, but hopefully occurred shortly after we left, as this community initiative is to be commended and deserves to succeed despite the challenging economic environment. All credit to them also for organising a beer festival for the Jubilee weekend.

bought by the local community due to open early 2017