The Arbor House, Ipswich

The Arbor House is situated not far from the arboretum. It looked closed as I approached, but blackboards outside invited me to enter through the front door. You walk through the pub to a pleasant patio area at the side. After finding my two earlier town centre pubs very full, it was a relief to find a little solitude here, with only two other tables occupied. Walking through the bar enabled me to check out the two pumpclips, which displayed Lacon's Encore & Mr Bees Buzz Lite Beer. I opted for the latter, which was quite enjoyable. Food appears to be popular here and serving staff were friendly and courteous. Worth the walk uphill to, especially after the mundane pubs in the centre.

Interesting pub cum bistro a little way up hill from the town centre, it styles itself “A traditional public house with fresh contemporary British food” which is a fairly accurate description. Split roughly into two parts, to the right is a bar, to the left a bistro style candles in bottles lit dining area. The bar area is quite traditional with a modern twist, settle and table and chair furnishings, papers in a rack, the tables are uneven but there are no beermats to prop up one leg. Small black boards next to the bar show pumps clips which are slowly being added and those above the bar show the usual wine and food info'. Four handpumps on the tongue and groove bar counter, serving a cider and three small brewery beers from the South East and East Anglia (Buffy Terrier, a Porter and Old Cannon Best). Unusual to see hunting scene hand pump handles in what many may consider a “trendy” pub. Small range of kegs including a Suffolk lager called Calvons and two ciders, plus Guinness, Carling and Peroni. In spite of being both bar and waiting staff they are pretty much on the ball serving a largely thirty something middle class clientele.