The Bell Inn, Carlton Colville, Lowestoft

Doesn't look that appealing to start off with, as all you can see through the perimeter trees is the front car park. However, once you get a better view of the frontage and main entrance, your spirits start to lift (even though it's obviously a food-led pub). Quite a compact bar in the centre, with further seating available in a small two-part room off to the left (with a patio beer garden beyond) and the main restaurant areas on the right-hand side. Smart, traditional furniture and decoration in all parts. In addition to the Greene King IPA, there was a well-chosen selection of Lacons Legacy (£4.70), Hopadelic from By The Horns and Adnams Old Ale on the other three handpumps plus Tindall Brewery's Red Sky (£4.80) served by gravity from a cask in the cellar.

One of 3 pubs in the village of Carlton Colville, I nearly walked into the Old Red House which was diagonally opposite this one. Luckily I continued and soon found that the Bell was a much more popular pub/restaurant. Indeed, it was doing a roaring trade early on a Friday evening. The main bar area is quite small, but there is an adjoining room to the left leading to a garden area at the side and another room off to the right, that I took to be the main dining room. Either way, the pub seemed to be serving plenty of diners and quite a few people just there for drinks too. Many had spilled into another outdoor area to the front of the pub and surrounding the car park to the side, as it was a mild late summer evening. The ale range was also fairly impressive with Lister's Dark Mild, Wildcraft Wild Bill Hiccup & Lacon's Cove all on. I was spoiled for choice until I spotted a board with a list of fruit ciders on too (Pulp Cosmo, Mango Daiquiri & Pornstar Martini & Abrahall's Tutti Frutti). The Cosmo was on the sweet side, but very enjoyable. This was a lively pub where customers just kept on coming. Luckily, they must expect this, as there were plenty of staff on hand to serve both drinkers and diners efficiently. I have to say that I wasn't expecting much from this pub. But I came away pleasantly surprised.

Official site of The Bell Inn - www.moss-co.com

Official site of The Bell Inn - www.moss-co.com

Had previously built up an excellent reputation for good food, but the had dropped considerably. The beer is excellent, but very much a regulars pub.