The Crown at Stoke by Nayland

Rooms

A more recent addition to the original pub, the 11 immaculate rooms are housed in The Folly, a weather-boarded building out back. Inside, they come with kingsize beds, top-quality linens, a well-stocked minibar and country views or terraces; some have French doors leading outside.

Even Better Rooms have the added luxury of walk-in showers, and if you really want to push the boat out you can opt for the expansive Best Room with its private terrace and charming Constable countryside views.

Bathrooms are super modern and a real strong point. Most have large bathtubs and all have powerful showers, French toiletries and piles of sumptuous towels. Underfloor heating was lovely in the mornings, but less so in the middle of the night, when the bedroom got rather hot.

Features include:

• Bathrobes
• Hairdryer
• Minibar
• Safe box
• WiFi

Eating

Meals are served in the pub and restaurant area; overall there was a convivial, warm atmosphere, we loved it. We stayed midweek and the bar was buzzing with a mixture of hotel guests and locals. Divided into lots of little sections, the tables felt cosy and private, but the open kitchen acted as a focal point. In summer, there's a stone terrace surrounded by tubs of flowers for alfresco dining, but we were there in autumn and loved the roaring log fire in the middle of the room.

The food itself was utterly delicious. The emphasis is on local produce and hearty portions; happily, we're fans of both. Cute mini-starters of chicken liver pate and a vegetable scone got dinner off to a good start, followed by a stew-like vegetable soup and crab mayonnaise for starters. For the main course, we ordered steak (the gastro-pub litmus test: it was perfectly cooked and absolutely huge). Other options included lemon and thyme chicken or courgette linguine, the 'Catch of the Day' menu has daily changing, freshly caught fish – mussels, halibut and mackerel make regular appearances – including beer-battered fish and chips.

Puddings are perfect, think rum-infused chargrilled pineapple with white chocolate mousse, homemade passion fruit sorbet, and dark chocolate and hazelnut delice. In addition to their excellent Adnams beers, there's an excellent and extensive wine list. There's a special menu for Sunday lunches too.

The chefs are equally passionate about breakfast and the choice was delightful. Between us we tried the mixed berry porridge and eggs Benedict (wonderful), crushed avocado on toast with chilli oil and vine tomatoes (sublime), and the full English (incredible smoked rare breed bacon and sausages). A full range of pastries, cereals, teas and coffees also awaits.

Other nearby dining options include The Sun Inn in Dedham, and Mistley Thorn.

Features include:

• Bar
• Breakfast
• Organic produce
• Restaurant
• Vegetarian options

Activities

• Walk out into the beautiful Suffolk countryside; the inspiration for many of Constable's paintings
  
• Gardening enthusiasts will love Belth Chatto Gardens and The Place for Plants - both are nearby and offer oodles of horticultural inspiration. A little further away is Helmingham Hall Gardens - also well worth a visit
  
• St Mary's Church in Stoke by Nayland is a local landmark. Its 120ft tower features (out of context!) in several of Constable's paintings
  
• Historic Lavenham is an easy drive away, famed for its 15th-century church and crooked medieval houses
  
• Also worth a visit is Long Melford, another former wool town with some excellent antique shops
  
• Hire a boat at Flatford Mill or Dedham and row through the water meadows of the River Stour
  
• Tennis, horse riding, fishing and golf can all be done nearby; enquire at reception
  
• The hotel can also assist with bicycle hire and spa visits
  
• Further afield, the Suffolk coast is lovely. Head to Aldeburgh for a shingle beach and fishermen's huts selling fresh catches, to Snape Maltings for concerts and art galleries, or to Dunwich Heath, a National Trust reserve with a pebbly beach where once the sixth largest city in England stood, before the sea started swallowing it up

Activities on site or nearby include:

• Cycling
• Fishing
• Golf
• Hiking
• Historical sites
• Horse riding
• Plantlife / flora
• Shopping / markets
• Tennis

Kids

Children are very welcome although there are no special facilities for them and the vibe is adult rather than family. Extra beds and baby cots can be provided in some rooms. There is a small dedicated children's menu.

Best for:

Babies (0-1 years), Toddlers (1-4 years), Children (4-12 years)

Family friendly accommodation:

The Best Room can take a family of four on two extra beds or cots. Families of three can book Flatford (an Even Better Room) or Mistley (a Better Room) which can take an extra bed or cot.

Extra Beds Available

Distances:

• Airport: 1 hour (Stansted)
• Hospital: 15 minutes (Colchester)
• Shops: 15 minutes (Colchester or Sudbury)

For more family-friendly places, see our Kids Collection

Location

The Crown is set in Stoke by Nayland, a lovely village in Suffolk, southeast England. It's around 2 hours' drive from central London.

By Air
London Stansted (65km) is the closest airport to Stoke by Nayland, but London Heathrow (165km) is a much busier international hub. Click on the links below for a list of airlines serving these airports.

From the Airport
The hotel can arrange transfers - see Rates - but as this is a rural area it's worth hiring a car so you can explore while you stay (see below). Alternatively you can take a taxi which will be considerably cheaper if travelling from Stansted.

By Train
Colchester is the nearest station (approx 15 minutes' drive from the hotel) and has direct links to London Liverpool Street.

By Car
If you want to hire a car, see our car rental recommendations.

Detailed directions will be sent to you when you book through i-escape.com.

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