The Queens Head, Halesworth

A GBG 2027 listed village dining pub. Modernised and extended it still retains some older, possibly late mediaeval, woodwork; some sources date it to 1540, the impressive fireplace certainly appears to be Tudor brickwork. What may have been the original building lurking inside contains the main bar with the servery separating it from a dining area on the left of the pub. Behind at each side are extensions with more space for dining, at a lower level in the case of the right hand side.  The beer dispensing is carried out in the main bar, the  dining side just housing a coffee machine. Four hand pumps and four keg taps on a low T-bar plus a solo, all none too exciting national brands. The pulls had three in use with beers from Green Jack, Mr Winters and Nethergate. Limited decor as the old beams are interesting. The wattle and daub referred to by Camra is behind a glass panel in the corridor outside the toilets. Food and drink is of a very high quality well worth a small detour if visiting Southwold the home of Adnams.

The only remaining pub in the village of Bramfield, the Queen's Head has a large room to the right as you enter with a large fireplace and a particularly impressive brick flue stretching up to the high ceiling. The same room has a sunken area to the rear, whilst there is a small snug off to the left. Predominantly a foodie pub, I was also quite impressed with the beer range. The cask offering was Wolf Battle of Britain, Moon Gazer Jigfoot & Lacon's/Howling Hops Seasons. Lacon's Encore was available on keg, whilst there was a blackboard to the side of the bar listing an impressive range of craft beers, until you realised that they were all cans or bottles. Still decent, nonetheless. I chose the 3% Seasons which was much tastier than I had expected and was just about my favourite beer of the day. The pub is advertised as opening until 8pm on a Sunday, with food served until 7pm. Nevertheless, our 6:30 arrival was just in time before the kitchen called it a day. There was a specials board on one wall, but I chose the Sunday lunch. At £19, it wasn't cheap, but it was good quality, well presented and there were several different kinds of vegetables. I thought it was worth the layout. Dogs are welcome. They have their own menu. There is a car park to the front of the pub.