Discover: Old Newton
Skylarks is situated down a tiny single track country lane called Silver Street which runs through lovely open countryside, the cottage is surrounded by fields with walks and cycling straight from the cottages (we provide bikes for free but bring helmets).
Old Newton is a tiny village a couple of miles away and the ancient town of Stowmarket is just 10 minutes by car.
The important Historic Town of Bury St Edmunds is about 25 minutes away and a nice place to explore especially the Abby Gardens and the historic pedestrian centre.
Cambridge is about 50 minutes away and the lovely Suffolk coast about the same.
Some local pubs and restaurants:
Our closest pub/restaurant is The Kings Arms’ in Haughley
The Crown, Church Road, Stowupland, Nr Stowmarket, IP14 4BQ
(4.5 miles/11 minutes)
Tel: 01449 490490
Newly refurbished in spring 2015, this charming pub is competing with The Shepherd & Dog to be the best restaurant in the area – give it a try and let us know what you think.
The Old Counting House Indian Restaurant, Old Street, Haughley, IP14 3NR (2.25 miles/5 minutes – opposite The Kings Arms pub)
Tel: 01449 673617
A warm, welcoming curry house; the timber framed building dates back to the 14th century, so bags of Suffolk charm; why not try their ‘all you can eat’ Sunday buffet (you might need to walk this off afterwards).
www.theoldcountinghouserestaurant.com
The Four Horseshoes, Wickham Road, Thornham Magna, IP23 8HD
(6.70 miles/13 minutes)
Tel: 01379 678777
A lovely country pub, full of character and near to Thornham Walks, so a good place to visit after a bracing country walk; it is owned by the local Green King Brewery, so fairly standard pub grub but a very nice place nonetheless.
The Norton Dog, Ixworth Road, Norton, Suffolk, IP31 3LP
(10 miles/15 Minutes)
A very popular village pub/restaurant serving locally sourced seasonal food and real ales in comfortable surroundings – good value, particularly on Monday when a lot of other restaurants are closed.
Tel: 01359 230440
The Leaping Hare, Wyken Vineyard, Stanton, IP31 2DW
(14 miles/25 minutes)
Tel: 01359 250287
Without question, our favourite place for a lunchtime treat. The café opens every day at 10 am for breakfast or coffee and a bistro style menu is available in the café between 12 and 3.30pm. In the afternoons they serve tea and coffee and light dishes and Wyken’s famous cakes. .
Every Saturday morning they host a farmers market and the adjoining gardens and woodland walks are well worth a visit.
Pea Porridge, 28-29 Cannon Street, Bury St Edmunds, IP33 1JR
(16 miles/26 minutes)
Tel: 01284 700200
In the heart of Bury St Edmunds, this charming and quirky restaurant is set in a cosy 19th century brick cottage. Run by a talented husband and wife team, Pea Porridge serves tasty, seasonal, country style cooking with a strong Mediterranean bias – great value and excellent service.
And, some very nice, dog friendly pub/restaurants …
The Bildeston Crown, High Street, Bildeston, IP7 7EB
(12 miles/27 minutes)
Tel: 01449 740510
The Crown is a beautifully restored 15th century coaching inn. Owned by local farmer James Buckle, whose “field to plate” vision means superb food prepared using fresh local produce such as Suffolk Red Poll beef.
The Lindsey Red Rose, Lindsey Tye, Lindsey, IP7 6PP
(15 miles/30 minutes)
Tel: 01449-741424
Like it’s sister pub, The Crown, this is one of the countys oldest pubs. The Lindsey Rose’s welcoming reputation makes it popular with rambler, cyclist and horse riders; the food is excellent and the surrounding area is dotted with footpaths and bridleways, great for after lunch dog walks.
The Butt & Oyster, Pin Mill, Ipswich, IP9 1JW
(25.5 miles/30 minutes)
Tel: 01473-780764
The Butt & Oyster is on the south bank of the picturesque River Orwell, a mecca for sailors and ramblers. It’s popularity means that it can get very busy, particularly during high season weekends – dogs are welcome in the bar and the large seating area outside; there are also many miles of walks around the pub.
www.debeninns.co.uk/buttandoyster
The Sun Inn, The High Street, Dedham, Essex, CO7 6DF
(25.5 miles/30 minutes)
Tel: 01206-323351
About 500 yards across the border in Essex, the countryside around Dedham and the Stour valley is too good to miss. The Sun Inn is an old coaching inn, full of local character and has been recently undergone a tasteful refurbishment. It now offers good gastro pub food and a lively country house atmosphere – again, dogs are welcome in all three bars.