The Wagon, Sudbury

There are picnic tables on the driveway up to the pub and in the courtyard out front where there’s also some covered seating over to the right. The pub is pretty much laminate floored throughout and there are rear seating areas to the left and right from the entrance. The bar area is found in the front of the pub where the serving counter faces the entrance and a long seating area is found towards the front to create a T-shaped pub. Three of the four hand pumps were in use drawing London Pride and two Nethergate options from the local brewery that operates this pub. Premium keg was also available alongside Nethergate’s own lager, but I went for the Pride that was very good, in fact maybe the best I’ve had beyond the M25. During my recent Friday evening visit the clientele seemed more well-heeled that in most of the other pubs in town and a bit of low Elton John in the background sat well with the atmosphere. The service was friendly and I’ll pop back in next time I’m passing, maybe for one of the brewery’s own ales.

You enter The Wagon via the courtyard off Acton Square. In a stroke of absolute marketing genius, the facade on Church Walk presents a locked door and blacked out windows, giving every impression the pub's been abandoned. That's most definitely not the case however as, inside, you find a well presented bar and comfortable seating, with leanings towards the gastro end of the market. 4 pumps on offer, with 2 badged for Nethergate ales and 2 out of action this time. Both that I tried were in tip-top condition and reasonably priced by 2023 standards at just over £4 a pint. A regular keg selection extends to include Nethergate Craft Lager. Not one for a lads night out, perhaps, but worth a visit for the day-tripper.

Official site of Waggon & Horses - thewagonsudbury.co.uk

Official site of Waggon & Horses - thewagonsudbury.co.uk

This former Greene King house was closed for some time but is now owned by the Nethergate brewery. It's a long narrow building and the same inside consisting of an open plan room with a small bar near the entrance. A narrow open area stretches down to the left of the bar while over to the right there is a smaller area. The whole place seemed to be food orientated, certainly on my early Thursday afternoon visit. The bar has four hand pumps which had one unused, Growler Bitter, White Park Oast House and Empire Autumn Pale. I went for the White Park beer (£3.50) which was in good condition. I thought this place was OK but seemed a bit too food orientated.

Beware, closed 3-7pm (Mon-Thurs), 3-5pm (Fri). No rating left.