Originally planned to help celebrate NATIONAL PUB WEEK in 2005, the combined Suffolk CAMRA branches are publishing a selection of five local pub-tours for you to consider during the next few months - these are geographically spread across the county of Suffolk. They are:

The Eastern area of Ipswich

Bury St Edmunds

Trips around the Lowestoft area

A Mid-Suffolk country walk from Elmswell to Thurston

Retracing Edmund's footsteps

During national Pubs Week, visisting any local pub is great - especially in the bad weather we had - all of these journeys are a bit more ambitious, but could instead be attempted in more than one outing. If sufficient interest is shown, then more pub-tours could be published in subsequent editions of this magazine; based around other towns and rural areas of the county. I hope you enjoyed National Pubs Week and let us know how you got along! Ed

1. The Eastern area of Ipswich. Catch Route 66 from either the railway station or town-centre to the Lattice Barn (Punch) or infact any bus that is heading towards Woodbridge, Framlingham or Lowestoft. Once this part of the journey is complete, the general direction is back into town. From the Lattice Barn, cross the road and head into Spring Road to the Bricklayers (Punch) - where the small front bar is usually much quieter. Afterwards onto the Old Times (Elizabeth Ryan) where live music is often available. Next stop is the close-by and well-known and ever-popular Fat Cat (Free House-GBG2005) with a huge selection of ever changing real ales (mostly from the tap room), imported beers and draught cider. From here you can continue down Spring Road and under the splendid railway viaduct which was built as part of the Ipswich to Felixstowe branch line (which opened in May 1877). Further on at the traffic lights it's worth turning left into Warwick Road and up the short incline to the Grand Old Duke of York (Adnams). Then walk for about two minutes down Woodbridge Road to the Horse & Groom (Punch). Follow the direction of the traffic left into Argyll Street and then left back into Spring Road - otherwise retrace your steps until you can turn right into a footpath that takes you down a steady incline. Either way, the Grinning Rat (Free) and Dove (Free) are both at the begining of Spring Road and almost immediately on the right. Both worth a visit, but the Dove in particular is good and currently offers up to 8 real ales and 3 draught ciders. From here it is just a short walk into the town centre (no more than 5 minutes) with the recently renovated County of Suffolk (Adnams) in St Helens Street en-route. Also close-by, the Milestone Beer House (Punch-GBG2005) is prominently set at the start of Woodbridge Road and also offers a wide range of beers (many from the tap room). This can be a good place to finish but can also be rather busy when it offers live music (most Fri and Sat eve). From here (or from the Dove) you can catch a bus back to the railway station. The chip-shop (behind cinema near Milestone) is also an excellent stop before the journey home - it's usually open until mid-night. Other pubs to try near the route include the Lion's Head (Punch) in Cauldwellhall Road (turn left at Old Times and walk for about 200m) and the Golden Key (GK) or John Bull (GK) which are both in Woodbridge Road (close to the start of the journey).

2. Bury St Edmunds - A Historic Pub Crawl from the Railway Station. Q. An old Bury riddle once ran: Where in the town are there 3 public houses with only one house between? Answer: The Railway Hotel (now The Linden Tree), Ipswich Arms and the Royal Oak. To start our historic crawl of Bury we leave the Station and turn right up the hill. The Linden Tree will be visited on our return. First stop is the Ipswich Arms (GK). This white brick building with its interesting curved frontage going round the corner into Tayfen road was originally called the Segment, each individual bar being of this shape. It was renamed the Ipswich Arms in 1864 when the new street opposite was named Ipswich Street to mark the coming of the rail link from Bury to Ipswich. In Tayfen Rd number 3, is where the Royal Oak closed in the early 1970's when the area changed with the construction of the Northgate roundabout. Across to Ipswich street, heading towards the town we pass number 6 formerly the Red Lion and retaining the name. A little further upon the corner of Ipswich Street and Long Brackland stands the Britannia - this closed in the late1970's. Bear right in to St John's Street. The Bushel (GK), is a large historic pub and can trace it's history back to before 1783 when it was mentioned in a deposition that "Samuel Hart, Trumpet-major in the 20th regiment of Light Dragoons apprehended a deserter at the sign of the Rose". The name changed to the Bushel in 1791. The Bushell maintained it's own brewery on site until the 1860's, extensive stabling and a skittle ground in the yard show evidence of a thriving inn through the nineteenth century Continue up St John's Street, number 77 now trading as two shops, was the Marquis of Cornwallis. Once the Marquis had 12 letting rooms and stabling for 25 horses! A 1920s closure, along with the Stag - opposite St Johns church (number 33). At the top of the street Benson Blakes (Free) is a recent addition to the town's bars, offering a changing Nethergate beer. At the top of the street we turn left into Brentgovel St. The Kings Arms (GK), now a busy bar on the town centre circuit, also offers a changing guest beer. A recent refurbishment has transformed this pub. Dating from 1789 and an important "Carriers House" during the 19th century, by 1907 various businesses were running from here and bar space was just one room measuring fourteen feet by eleven. Out of the King's Arms we turn right and walk to Garland Street. Turn left into Garland Street. The Joiner's Arms was Garland Street's only pub historically, closed in 1980 it is on your right as you walk down. A very popular pub is our next stop. Originally the St Edmunds Head it was always know as "The Can" in deference to the Cannon Street Brewery. The old brew house stands to the left of a brick entrance arch and has been converted to B&B accommodation. The Old Cannon (Free) is now a busy brewpub with brewing equipment highly polished and in the bar area. A full range of Old Cannon beers is available with two or three changing guest beers and a selection of imported lagers. Our tour continues down Cannon Street back to the busy Northgate roundabout. Facing the roundabout as we emerge, the New Inn is behind us. A recent closure and a sad loss, the pub was a Victorian purpose built building retaining old world charm in it's two bars until the end. Cross the roundabout into Out Northgate Street and we arrive at our final stop the Linden Tree (GK). Good value food also makes this a very popular eating-house close to the station. If you have enjoyed this brief dip into Bury's pubs and history, full details of these and all of Bury's other pubs can be found in Gerry Nixon's wonderful book "Old Inns and beerhouses of Bury St Edmunds". Available in bookshops or from West Suffolk CAMRA by mail-order for £6.95 (send cheque - made out to West Suffolk CAMRA - to John Gagen, Home Farm Cottage, Thorpe Morieux, BSE, Suffolk IP30 0NT).

3. Trips around the Lowestoft area. There are 3 local pubs in the current GBG. All are easily accessible from the town centre and railway station. The Triangle and Oak Tavern are best accessed on foot. On leaving the station, head past HSBC into London Road North. On route you will pass the Volunteer, Welcome and Wheatsheaf. Cross the junction into High Street. As you go past O'Reilly's follow the shops as they gradually bear to the left. The Triangle (Green Jack-GBG2005) is the last building on left - front bar is recommended. The chalked beer list may be a bit out of date (only Bob is allowed to change this) so check pump clips for verification first. When you leave the Triangle, turn left and then just follow the building line to a pelican crossing. Cross here and turn right, past a car-park and across a small side road to another set of pedestrian lights. Cross the main carriageway and turn left past the Elm church and some shops on the right. Keep to main road until you reach Lings motorcycle dealership. A passageway to the left of Lings will bring you into the car-park and rear entrance to the Oak (Free-GBG2005) which is in Crown St. Once through the back-door, turn left into the west bar (recommended unless you are a pool player or TV enthusiast). The Bell (Oulton Ales-GBG2005) at Carlton Colville is best accessed by bus. From the rail station head, head past HSBC into London Road North. At the 2nd road crossing (Somerfields) turn left and the bus station is on the left. Take a No 111 or 112 bus - both are half hourly services on weekdays (112 runs an hourly evening and Sunday service too). The bus-stop is outside the pub. Almost opposite is the Red House. To get to Pakefield catch the 112 (either direction) to the Ship (Oulton Ales) in Stradbroke Road. From the Ship, turn right and walk to the main road (A12). Opposite is the Tramway (also on 112 bus route). From the Tramway, keep right into Pakefield St. Keep onto the Trowel & Hammer (on left) and further on to the Jolly Sailors. Finally walk along the cliff top - part of the Heritage Coastal path - past church to the Oddfellows. Also worth trying is the Morning Star (on route 111 from town or Carlton Colville). Day bus tickets are available if you intend to visit all the pubs in a single visit.

4. A Mid-Suffolk country walk from Elmswell to Thurston. This mostly off-road walk is about 8km in length and is easily accessible by train (with both ends on the Ipswich to Bury St Edmunds main-line) and visits five village pubs. The Elmswell Railway (GK) is next to the first station whilst the Fox (GK) is a good community pub nearby in Station Road. About 3km away is the Norton Dog (GK) set on the main A1088 road is our halfway point. Heading into Thurston we find two pubs, the Victoria (GK) on Norton Road, and the Fox and Hounds (Free-GBG2005) positioned right next to the railway station. You will need plan your journey (use OS map sheet 155). Most of the journey can be completed on minor roads - or off road. For the more adventurous, Tostock Gardeners Arms (GK) is worth a visit.

5. Retracing Edmund's footsteps In November last year, a couple retraced (on foot) the route taken by Edmund, a 9th century king of East Anglia, as he fled from his last battle with the invading Danes (which he lost). The fighting was near Thetford, he subsequently headed along the river valley (now the Little Ouse) until he ended up in Hoxne, where he hid under a bridge but was eventually found after being betrayed by a couple en-route to their wedding. Edmund was subsequently shot with arrows and beheaded on the 20th November 869 after first being tied to a tree and refusing to renounce his Christian beliefs. His head and body were later enshrined in a monastery at Beodericsworth in West Suffolk - the market town that later grew around there subsequently became known as Bury St Edmunds. Last year the couple, Gerald Hales and Sue Stone (both of Hoxne) visited Hopton Vine, Redgrave Cross Keys (Ridleys) and Brome Cornwallis Arms (Free hotel) in their travels and ended a 3 day journey at Hoxne Swan (Free House). They plan to repeat the "pilgrimage" again this year, arriving at the Swan again on the 20th November. Other pubs en-route could have included the Thetford Albion (GBG2005-set close to the castle mound), Thelnetham White Horse (Free), Wortham Dolphin (Free) or Brome Swan (Free). Thetford is very accessible by train or bus and regular local daytime buses operate between Hoxne and Diss (which connects with other bus and rail services). The total journey is about 40km, so it will need some planning (use OS map sheets 144 & 156) and could possibly be better attempted on cycles. For the more adventurous traveller, the Botesdale Greyhound (Free), Mellis Railway (Free-with accommodation available) and Market Weston Mill (Free) are also worth visiting and collectively should offer some interesting local real ales.