The Sun Dog Friendly Review

Website: http://www.thesuninndedham.com/
Address: The High Street
              Dedham, Essex
              CO7 6DF 
Telephone: (01206) 323351

It is a shame but the Sun Inn at Dedham is never going to get into my hubby’s good books. The reason for this is catastrophically simple – they do not serve Guinness! So for you passionate adherents of the black stuff out there, you have been warned! For the rest of us let us continue with the review. On this visit, we crossed the Suffolk borders by all of 500 yards and took a trip to Dedham in Essex. The countryside around Dedham and the Stour valley is simply too beautiful and accessible to be ignored so I hope you will allow the diversion in this case. The Sun Inn is an old coaching inn full of architectural character. We have visited a few times over the years and it was clear on this visit that the pub has undergone a sympathetic and quality led refurbishment. In the best tradition of country pubs, the open fires and walls of aged, polished wood are still in place and it is fair to say the Sun is raising its ambitions upmarket. The cushions, fabrics and decoration are lush and lend the pub a lively country house atmosphere. We went for Sunday lunch and the Sun does that well, with good gastro food and wines a plenty. In fact, the Sun has won the "Essex Dining Pub of the Year from The Good Pub Guide" for three consecutive years. Popular with trendy young families, mains start at around £9 and dogs are welcome in all three bars, but not in the main restaurant area. When we talked to the staff, they showed their doggie awareness by stipulating that one of the bars, the Oak Room, is not suitable for big dogs on Saturday nights, as it gets too busy. This could also be the case on other nights as the Sun Inn hosts a seasonal programme of Wine & Food tasting events, and the occasional Live Music night and so we would advise visitors with dogs in tow to check the web site to get the latest details. Being a chilly October day, we took our lunch at one of the quirky window tables. Set on Dedham’s picturesque main road, this is a perfect spot for idle people watching. To the rear of the pub is a small parking area and outside garden seating for warmer days. In addition to the food and drink, the Sun Inn offers cycle hire and accommodation and this makes it a great place from which to explore the surrounding Constable Country. So be brave and cross the border, there are some beautiful bits of Essex and Dedham Vale is one of them.

Click on 'Like' to vote for this pub

View Dog Friendly Suffolk Walks & Pubs in a larger map