The Crown Dog Friendly Review

Web: http://snape-crown.co.uk/
Bridge Road
Snape, Suffolk
IP17 1SL
01728 688324

Snape is a first for Dog Friendly Suffolk in that the village offers not one but two dog friendly pubs! Owned by Adnams, the Golden Key and the Crown Inn are set in the heart of the village and are both traditional country pubs set in historic buildings not five minutes from each other. Our intention was to visit both pubs but having walked the icy marshland and then receiving such a great welcome in the Crown, we quickly got so comfortable that we decided to stay and leave the Key to another day. In hindsight, we should have taken an anti-clockwise walk through the marshes because by ending our walk on the river, all four of us arrived at the pub in a rather muddy condition, especially Kopek and Malli who had decided to take a dip in the Alde. As dog lovers, we know that getting muddy is one of the perils of mid-winter dog walking, but not everyone in the hospitality industry is so forgiving. Therefore, it was great when entering the pub we received such a warm and friendly welcome. We had a chat with Teresa, the landlady, who is herself a confirmed dog lover, and who owns a Spaniel and a Labrador. Many of the staff own dogs too, and they all came over to pet Kopek and Malli and say hello. The Crown is a 15 th Century smugglers inn packed with history and memories of an older, working Snape. The pub has two bars in which dogs are welcome any time, and only the restaurant is off bounds. That is no hardship though as the main bar is unique in the East of England in that is has the only original double settle and inglenook fireplace. The settle is a large curved wooden seating area that stretches around the fireplace and makes a great place to cosy up on a winter’s day. On the walls there are many good pictures by local artists for sale, and the furnishings are comfortable and in appropriate country style. Like all good Adnams pubs, the wine and beer are second to none, and the food menu is excellent with Teresa and her husband, Garry the chef, having had a long and distinguished career in country house restaurants before seizing the chance to open their own pub. Small portions can be ordered for children, and much of the food on offer comes from locally sourced seasonal produce including their own home reared meats and vegetables from their carefully tended allotment, set just to the side of the pub garden. The Crown Inn also offers accommodation where dogs can stay, and offers a great location for those wanting to take in the culture down at the Maltings nearby. We loved the pub and its people and look forward to visiting again in 2011. Until then we would like to wish a happy Christmas to all the dogs and dog owners in Suffolk and look forward to exploring some more of this great county’s walks and dog-friendly pubs with you in the New Year.

Click on 'Like' to vote for this pub

View Dog Friendly Suffolk Walks & Pubs in a larger map