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Detail Pages
The Star Inn, Halesworth
Wenhaston
Postal town: Halesworth
IP19 9HF
Reviews (Current Rating Average: 7½ of 10) see review guidelines
Blue Scrumpy left this review about The Star Inn
I'd left this village pub until last, forgetting that it closed at 9pm even on a Friday and Saturday evening. Arriving at 8:57pm, I was encouraged by the sight of lots of cars on the car park and several customers spilling out of the front of the pub.
By the time I was at the bar, it was 8:58pm. I've had many experiences where I've been refused service that close to closing times, but here after a quick check of the clock by the landlord, I was informed that I was just in time!
The ale choice didn't seem as good as in a few other Suffolk pubs I'd visited during the day, but on handpull there was Green Jack Golden Best & Trawlerboys & Adnams Explorer. I hadn't seen Explorer for some while and made a comment to that effect. One guy at the bar suggested that I'd chosen the worst beer in the pub! The landlord supplied information that it hadn't been brewed for 8 years.
With the front bar still crowded with drinkers, several of whom were standing, I retreated to a rear room where a waitress was clearing up after the meal service and one group of diners were enjoying post dinner drinks. It was only at this point that I noticed another cask sat on the bar. This was an 8.5% barley wine from Green Jack called Ripper. Despite the Explorer not being as good as I remember it, I still decided that it was a better choice than an 8.5% ale! Incidentally, Giggler Suffolk Cider was also on.
The Star is a pub with plenty of character and seemingly a good local following. It didn't take me too long to drink up, still leaving at least 20 people in the pub who didn't show any signs of departing anytime soon. I got the impression that despite the landlord's remarks, they may use their discretion to serve after the published times.
On 3rd September 2023
- rating: 7
[User has posted 2452 recommendations about 2451 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Ian Mapp left this review about The Star Inn
Good beer guide 2020 entry.
We arrived 30 minutes before opening and caught them in preparation. I dont think the landlord and landlady were in the best of moods. Asked if we could sit in their garden to wait for opening and after a long pause - was met with "if you want to".
In this post covid lock down world, the pub itself was not open for entry and they had setup in a marquee in the garden. We watched them having a polite argument with each other as they setup shop. It finished with a whispered "I have turned the f*****g pumps off".
We wondered whether we should stay or go!
A family came in and got served at 11:50 - so we chanced our arm - despite everything going against it - gravity fed Trawlerboys served in my first plastic glass of reopening - the beer was pretty good.
Unfair really to rate - as its not functioning as you would expect, so I haven't seen it at its best.
On 15th August 2020
- rating: 5
[User has posted 1338 recommendations about 1324 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Real Ale Ray left this review about The Star Inn
We really liked this pub, it has great food, well kept ales and friendly staff. The pub also has a good relaxed atmosphere about it. Four ales on handpump, two from Adnams, I went for the Strummer Brewery, Strummer and Cliff Quay, Clipper.
On 30th June 2013
- rating: 9
[User has posted 3382 recommendations about 3381 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Philip Gaskin left this review about The Star Inn
We had not been to Southwold and the surrounding area for five years, and it was good to visit The Star Inn as it has always been a favourite of mine. It is still unspoilt with three separated areas simply decorated and furnished. The menu had a selection of sensibly priced dishes, with some interesting variations. Curly kale does not figure on many pub menus. The landlord was friendly, and had Adnams Bitter, New Zealand Pale Ale and Ghost Ship on draught. I do not recall seeing Broadside, which is unusual, and I may have missed it. Well worth a visit.
On 18th October 2011
- rating: 8
[User has posted 202 recommendations about 169 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
ericonabike ericonabike left this review about The Star Inn
Visited here whilst staying at Blyth View - a half hour walk across fields but well worth it. The food was some of the best I've had in any pub or restaurant - simple yet perfectly prepared, unlike a lot of the more touristy places nearby. Unusually for an Adnams tied house they had a guest beer, and their ambition is to run the place as a free house. The staff and landlady were genuinely friendly and the place was popular with locals and tourists alike.
Do try this one - they'll even let you camp there for free!
On 31st July 2010
- rating: 9
[User has posted 25 recommendations about 25 pubs]