Vulcan Arms Dog Friendly Review

This year The Vulcan Arms at Sizewell became the proud winners of the Inn Sign Society’s “Pub Sign of the Year” award. When the old sign perished back in 2009 the owners were inspired to create a new sign incorporating all things Vulcan (including Mr Spock). In similar vein the Vulcan Arms is a free house that’s good for everyone, including dogs straight from the beach and their owners. Pub’s exterior looks red-brick Victorian, so on entering it is somewhat of a surprise to find a much older, English beamed interior. Dogs are welcome in the main bar and games room, and inside the tables are well spaced, which makes it easy to sit with your hounds and enjoy the visit. Around the walls are more reminders of the past, notably a wooden roster of the pub’s previous landlords going back to 1906 and old Adnams signs advertising beer at 15p a pint (though the fact that this poster is only from 1974 made me and hubby feel very old!). The history of the pub goes way back further than this though, and the pub gets its unusual name from Cromwellian times, when temperance was enforced by law, and the building was put to alternative use as the village blacksmiths. The current owners have been here since 1997 and know how to look after doggie visitors and doggie locals alike. As we had a quick bite and a pint, the landlord’s daughter told us of the local dogs that like to arrive at the door unaccompanied “as they know where the treats are” and though our two hounds were only visiting, along with our lunches came handfuls of dog biscuits. The regulars are dog friendly too, with one chap introducing himself as the owner of a “border terrorist” which, knowing the breed made us smile. Guides to walks in the local area can be obtained inside the pub and from the pub website and Sizewell is blessed with not only the beach, but a large number of circular and woodland walks in the locality. For those without hounds the pub has a large restaurant to the rear where you can eat dog free, and for warmer days an outside patio garden, with children’s play area. The food is simple and good with meals starting around £10 and snacks from £5. Another distinguishing feature of the pub is that the owners also operate a Caravan Club certified location campsite. Set right next door and on a bluff over-looking the beach, the campsite offers five electric hook-up points and is a popular, yet peaceful getaway location open all year round. We’d say The Vulcan Arms makes a great rest stop whenever you choose to visit.

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