The Gardeners Arms, Bury St. Edmunds

Blue Scrumpy left this review about The Gardeners Arms

The Gardener's Arms enjoys a nice location in the village of Tostock overlooking what appears to be the village green. We arrived at 12:30 opening on a Sunday and were unsurprisingly the first in.

There is a lounge and a bar. Both have tiled floors with laminate around the bar. Dark grey walls make it fairly dull inside. A large fireplace with agricultural implements hanging above it helps to add a bit of character, along with the beamed ceiling.

Woodforde's Wherry appeared to be the solitary cask ale with an Adnams Southwold Bitter turned round. However on closer inspection, I noticed a small cask from a local brewer (Drinkstone) sitting on the bar. This was a seasonal special called St George & The Flagon, which wasn't too bad at all. Pick of the keg beers was Brooklyn Stonewall IPA. The cider was Orchard Pig Reveller.

Most tables in the lounge were laid out for Sunday lunch, but by 1pm when we left, there were still no takers. A few other drinkers had arrived and some were sitting outside. In addition to tables at the front overlooking the green, there is also a garden to the rear. Back inside, I also spotted a TV and some board games which could be found on a dresser adjacent to the fireplace. Some rather annoying jazz music was playing.

I get the feeling that this pub has had a few changes in ownership over the past years. So, perhaps the current owners are still trying to build up trade. Most pubs seem to open at midday on a Sunday. So, perhaps they are missing a trick in opening at 12:30?

On 30^th April 2025 - rating: 5
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