Ye Olde Bell & Steelyard Dog Friendly Review

Opening Hours

Food Hours 

Website: http://www.yeoldebellandsteelyard.co.uk/
Address: New Street
              Woodbridge, Suffolk
              IP12 1DZ
Telephone: (01394) 382933

Monday to Thursday


Friday and Saturday


Sunday

12:00 to 15:00
18:00 to 23:30

12:00 to 15:00
18:00 to 00:30

12:00 to 15:00
19:00 to 23:00 
  
 

12:00 to 14:00
18:00 to 21:00

12:00 to 14:00
18:00 to 21:00

12:00 to 14:00
19:00 to 21:00

Ye Olde Bell & Steelyard Inn continues the tradition of ancient country inns that can be found in and around Suffolk. The pub is located in the town of Woodbridge, a popular visiting spot just outside of Ipswich on the river Deben. Woodbridge is a busy country town, which retains many specialist retailers and a popular quayside. Woodbridge is also a historic location, near Sutton Hoo, and in days of old was the gateway to the Saxon Kingdom, the name coming from the Saxon "wooden bridge". Today the town still forms a crossing place for those visiting the many delights of the south east of Suffolk and from Woodbridge, one can access numerous dog friendly walks, most notably those of Rendlesham Forrest (You can read our review of the Daisy Walk here).

The Olde Bell is a local’s pub set slightly to the north of the main high street, and is lucky in being able to trace its origins back to the 1500s. The striking oak beamed Tudor building retains the large public weighing machine that overhangs the road and from which the name "steel yard" originates. The steel yard was last used commercially in the 1880s and such is its historical importance, both the Science Museum and the Avery Museum have had copies commissioned for their collections.

The new owners are the most positively dog-friendly we have met so far, and their two dogs Bubble and Schatzchen, not forgetting Lucy the cat, are all there in the bar to greet wayfarers and tourists alike. Visiting dogs are allowed in every area of the pub, which includes a dining area, main bar, games room, and conservatory and patio garden. The hosts, Adrian and Siggi have made the pub a real place of welcome, and the games room is an extra special delight, with bar billiards, table skittles and numerous board games all made available to the visitor. For those of us not old enough or wise enough to remember the rules of skittles etc., helpful guides are placed here and there to jog the memory.

For musical hounds, the pub offers a great selection of acoustic and vocal music nights, and regularly hosts a "jazz every other Sunday" lunch. The Olde Bell is a place of public entertainment and as you sit in the pub, you can really see the care the owners have taken to decorate the pub with the quirky and unique to inspire the imaginations and conversations of their guests.

Outside the cottage garden is particularly charming, with many different verdant spaces in which to while away the hours. The area closest to the pub is covered with a huge patio umbrella and further away the garden becomes more like a fairy grotto, with statues and garden lights. You cannot help but notice Siggi and Adrian’s love for animals as you note the array of bird feeders and animal motifs that decorate every corner. It was a very hot day when we visited and Malli and Kopek made good use of the available water bowls and even got some refreshing meaty scrap treats from the kitchen – which made them very happy. And when they’re happy, we’re happy, so we’ll definitely be visiting the Olde Bell again.

The is no parking at the pub itself, but plenty of off-road parking spaces around if you get there early enough. Failing that, there are also many Public Car Parks within an easy walk.

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