The Woolpack, Ipswich

Prominent old pub in the angle of a Y-shaped junction, with a wedge-shaped patio area at the front. It still retains a multi-room layout, with the main bar in the centre (but accessed via the left-side door) although this is only a standing-only snug. Several other seating / dining areas can be found on each side of this, with the front rooms having their own small counters. Five cask ales on handpump: Southwold and the seasonal Old Ale from Adnams (£4.80), Tribute, Sharp's Atlantic and Mauldon Silver Adder.

Having had to suffer the screeching harridan and poor beer in the Dove, and the complete lack of service and beer in the Spread, we were desperate for this quasi-suburban pub to deliver and it did - in spades. It’s lovely old building on a hill and looks the part on approach, sitting on the fork of a junction on a street full of rather grand houses. A bizarre layout inside with a small main room to the left, a tiny room on the right and a tiny serving area, all quite woody and traditional and almost country pub in its feel. Three fairly mainstream ales in the form of St Austell Proper Job (NBSS 4), Adnams Ghost Ship (4) and Southwold served up by an efficient cabal of young ladies. We decided to sit outside with most of the other punters and it was very pleasant with a nice cross-section of locals. Easily the best pub - beer quality wise - in Ipswich, beating the Fat Cat. Turnover is key! Visited early August.

The Woolpack is situated in a wedge-shaped area defined by a road junction and close to the popular Christchurch Road. Tables are in the wedge-shaped area at the front of the pub and as it is surrounded by roads, it's not the quietest of drinking environments. The interior is much more traditional with 3 small rooms. On arrival, I couldn't see any free tables and there was another couple waiting for one. However, it was only about a minute before two tables became free. However, on instructed to register with the NHS app, I nearly lost the table to other arrivals, who weren't asked to scan. With the roads being so close, it is easy for people to simply wander in and take a seat. Ghost Ship & Southwold Bitter are the regular ales. Guests yesterday were London Pride & Proper Job. Food looked like traditional pub grub and smelt good, but there was no time for me to indulge.