The Rushbrooke Arms, Sicklesmere, Bury St. Edmunds

This extended thatched country pub/restaurant was originally called the Wagon and was first recorded in 1746 although I suspect that parts of the building date prior to this. The pub was badly damaged in the great floods of 1968 when the floodwater reached up to the windows. The interior is divided into a main bar which in itself is split into 2 by a large inglenook fireplace, and a dining section at the far end with its own bar and entrance. The main bar has plenty of charm and character with lots of old beams and pillars including the timbers rescued from a granary barn in Hitchin that was rebuilt inside the pub in 1987. In parts it feels like a Gentlemans Club feel with lots of leather seats and Victorian portraits mixed in with old pictures and photos of nearby Bury St Edmunds. As a Greene King House, the ales are naturally drawn from their range with IPA, Speckled Hen and the seasonal Hedgerow available on my visit. It must be said that the Hedgerow was pretty disgusting but given that the other ales were fine (or as fine as they should be) I will assume that it is just a rank pint in general. It is a lovely looking pub set in idyllic surroundings with lots of outdoor seating, a large car park and childrens play area making it a good spot as part of a day's excursion but it does have a bit of a cold, corporate edge to it rather than the warm homely welcome of a true country pub.

Official site of The Rushbrooke Arms, contains menus and wine list - www.rushbrooke-arms-sicklesmere.co.uk

Official site of The Rushbrooke Arms, contains menus and wine list - www.rushbrooke-arms-sicklesmere.co.uk

AWFUL - AVOID AT ALL COSTS - GO ELSEWHERE The wrong food was brought to the table TWICE. Then only half of the drinks turned up. The waiter was rude and tried to blame us for him getting the order wrong and verbally abused us. Then to top it all the coffee never arrived BUT they managed to include it on the bill! We complained to the manager who was a wet rag and made no attempt to pull the waiter into line or make him apologise. The place looks great but looks can be deceiving and in this case they are. The worst service ever encountered! My advice - go elsewhere.