Sole Bay Inn, Southwold

An attractive looking street corner pub with it’s hanging baskets and sun umbrellas outside, this is adjacent to the lighthouse and is more or less the Adnams brewery tap being only a minute or two’s stroll from the brewery. Internally it’s a single L-shaped room and is a little more contemporary than might be expected with modern lighting, pale blue paintwork and white wood panelling on the lower part of the walls. The flooring is pale wood strip and most of the chunky wooden tables were occupied by diners on our Sunday evening visit, with the only options for drinkers being a few bar stools or standing. Various colourful framed Adnams advertisements adorned the walls. The menu offered a good choice of pub grub food and was divided in to sections such as burgers, meat, fish, jackets, baguettes and so on, and most of the main courses were around the £9/£10 mark. In addition to the regular menu there was also a specials board. My smoked fish and seafood platter was one of the more expensive options at £12.50, but was a decent and tasty dish with several varieties of fish, salad and bread. Beers on tap were all from Adnams as might be expected with their Southwold, Broadside, Ghost Ship and Mosaic Pale Ale. Ciders meanwhile were Aspall’s Suffolk and Harry Sparrow.

Almost the Adnams brewery tap, being located halfway between the brewery and the town's landmark lighthouse. Nice bold façade, and recently refurbished inside. Plainly-decorated 'L'-shaped bar, with light wood furniture. Several wooden benches out front. Five of six handpumps in operation, offering Southwold, Broadside, Explorer, Ghost Ship and Gunhill (£3.80). Also has keg Spindrift, Dry Hopped Lager and Innovation IPA available. Nice place to stop for a pint.

We called in early doors and the two barmaids were friendly and welcoming. The full range of Adnams ales were on handpump. The pub was spotlessly clean and beers spot on, the brewery is only a couple of doors down from here.

This pub is close to the lighthouse and appears in many photos of the town. Inside there is one 'L' shaped bar. I preferred it before it was refurbished in 2003 when the area to the right was not part of the bar. A door to the left of the main bar led into a courtyard with the toilets at the end of it, and a small aviary with canaries in it. Adnams Bitter at £3.20, Broadside, Old Ale, Explorer, and New Zealand Pale on draught, with Spindrift on keg. Worth a visit.