Suffolk &amp; Cambs


<p>Forget soggy <a href="https://suffolkcambs.muddystilettos.co.uk/eat-out/pubs-inns/where-to-stay-in-east-anglia-pubs-inns-dog-family-friendly-stays/">pub</a> gardens and wobbly benches by the bins — the sun’s out, darling, and so are we. Whether you’re after a <a href="https://suffolkcambs.muddystilettos.co.uk/eat-out/pubs-inns/best-pub-gardens-cambs-and-suffolk/">rooftop rosé</a> with a view, a <a href="https://suffolkcambs.muddystilettos.co.uk/eat-out/21-riverside-restaurants-suffolk-cambridge/">riverside garden</a> that screams <em>English summer</em>, or just somewhere your dog and Aperol can peacefully coexist, we’ve rounded up the chicest terraces, rooftops and<a href="https://muddystilettos.co.uk/eat-out/pubs-inns/beer-gardens-pub-gardens-near-me/"> beer gardens</a> to toast the good weather. SPF and oversized shades at the ready…</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-roof-terrace-at-the-varsity-hotel-amp-spa-cambridge"><strong><a href="https://www.thevarsityhotel.co.uk/?gad_source=1&amp;gclid=CjwKCAjwtdi_BhACEiwA97y8BOFVBe44BntJ2vVMvFe5gWX7mSzCLoy3TYb6x6PD-qp8AAVt8lv-fhoC2REQAvD_BwE">The Roof Terrace at The Varsity Hotel &amp; Spa</a>, Cambridge</strong></h3>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="666" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/suffolkcambs/wp-content/uploads/sites/15/2025/04/Varsitysix.png" alt="Varsity Six" class="wp-image-44194" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/suffolkcambs/wp-content/uploads/sites/15/2025/04/Varsitysix.png 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/suffolkcambs/wp-content/uploads/sites/15/2025/04/Varsitysix-800x533.png 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/suffolkcambs/wp-content/uploads/sites/15/2025/04/Varsitysix-400x266.png 400w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>You <em>know</em> summer’s officially here when the Roof Terrace at The Varsity opens its (sky)doors. This is the only spot in the city with panoramic views of Cambridge and — joy of joys — there’s no admission fee. Nab a table and bask in the sunshine with a chilled drink and something delicious from the BBQ menu. We’re talking fire-roasted romero pepper and halloumi wraps (£13.50) and Cajun chargrilled chicken wraps (£14.50), all served with some serious skyline.</p>



<p>Tucked in the buzzing Quayside area, The Varsity is a luxe little boutique hotel with riverside punting, a spa, and two restaurants – basically, a stylish base for pretending you&#8217;re in a romcom all weekend.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-suffolk-aldeburgh"><strong><a href="https://the-suffolk.co.uk/">The Suffolk</a>, Aldeburgh</strong></h3>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="666" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/suffolkcambs/wp-content/uploads/sites/15/2023/03/The-Scallop-aldeburgh-1000x666.jpg" alt="Aldeburgh" class="wp-image-31574" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/suffolkcambs/wp-content/uploads/sites/15/2023/03/The-Scallop-aldeburgh-1000x666.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/suffolkcambs/wp-content/uploads/sites/15/2023/03/The-Scallop-aldeburgh-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/suffolkcambs/wp-content/uploads/sites/15/2023/03/The-Scallop-aldeburgh-400x266.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/suffolkcambs/wp-content/uploads/sites/15/2023/03/The-Scallop-aldeburgh-788x525.jpg 788w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/suffolkcambs/wp-content/uploads/sites/15/2023/03/The-Scallop-aldeburgh.jpg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>Rosé with a view? Yes please. The Suffolk’s rooftop terrace is the first of its kind in East Anglia, and we’re obsessed. With panoramic North Sea views and no need to book, it’s the ultimate drop-in-and-unwind spot. Share a bottle, nibble on top-notch bar snacks and channel your inner coastal goddess as the sun sets over Aldeburgh.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-millworks-cambridge"><strong><a href="https://themillworks.co.uk/">The Millworks</a>, Cambridge</strong></h3>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="667" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/suffolkcambs/wp-content/uploads/sites/15/2023/09/millworks-1000x667.jpg" alt="Millworks" class="wp-image-35594" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/suffolkcambs/wp-content/uploads/sites/15/2023/09/millworks-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/suffolkcambs/wp-content/uploads/sites/15/2023/09/millworks-800x534.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/suffolkcambs/wp-content/uploads/sites/15/2023/09/millworks-400x267.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/suffolkcambs/wp-content/uploads/sites/15/2023/09/millworks-787x525.jpg 787w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/suffolkcambs/wp-content/uploads/sites/15/2023/09/millworks.jpg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>A former watermill turned industrial-chic bistro, The Millworks wins terrace points for both heritage and hip factor. There’s a working water wheel (history nerds, rejoice) and a sun-drenched terrace that fills up fast. No bookings though – it’s a turn-up-and-pray situation (bonus points if you master the art of the polite terrace hover).</p>



<p>Didn’t snag a table? Grab a handmade pizza to go and picnic on the nearby meadow by the pond. Very Enid Blyton meets Ottolenghi.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-henny-swan-sudbury"><strong><a href="https://www.thehennyswan.co.uk/">The Henny Swan</a>, Sudbury</strong></h3>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="666" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/suffolkcambs/wp-content/uploads/sites/15/2025/04/Untitled-design-20.png" alt="The Henny Swan" class="wp-image-44197" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/suffolkcambs/wp-content/uploads/sites/15/2025/04/Untitled-design-20.png 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/suffolkcambs/wp-content/uploads/sites/15/2025/04/Untitled-design-20-800x533.png 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/suffolkcambs/wp-content/uploads/sites/15/2025/04/Untitled-design-20-400x266.png 400w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">created by dji camera</figcaption></figure>



<p>Arrive by car, kayak or paddleboard — we’re not joking. This riverside gem near Sudbury has a beer garden that’s basically a holiday in a pint glass. With sprawling grassy lawns, a gently lapping river and cold drinks on tap, it’s the perfect sunny-day escape. Just make sure you’re back by dusk — the riverside garden closes with the light.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-crown-stoke-by-nayland"><strong><a href="https://www.crowninn.net/">The Crown</a>, Stoke by Nayland</strong></h3>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="797" height="600" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/suffolkcambs/wp-content/uploads/sites/15/2025/04/thecrown.jpg" alt="The Crown, Stoke By Nayland" class="wp-image-44195" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/suffolkcambs/wp-content/uploads/sites/15/2025/04/thecrown.jpg 797w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/suffolkcambs/wp-content/uploads/sites/15/2025/04/thecrown-400x301.jpg 400w" sizes="(max-width: 797px) 100vw, 797px" /></figure>



<p>This is the dog-friendly countryside pub of dreams. Think: big beautiful garden, canvas-covered seating areas, heaters (we <em>are</em> in Britain), and fairy lights strung through the trees. Set in the heart of Constable Country, it’s the ideal post-walk pitstop, whether you’re in muddy boots or floaty linen. There’s even a fairy-lit tipi for private events and beer festivals — don’t mind if we do.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-punter-cambridge"><strong><a href="https://www.thepuntercambridge.com/">The Punter</a>, Cambridge</strong></h3>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="720" height="480" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/suffolkcambs/wp-content/uploads/sites/15/2021/08/rsz_punter-720x480.jpg" alt="The Punter" class="wp-image-23193" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/suffolkcambs/wp-content/uploads/sites/15/2021/08/rsz_punter-720x480.jpg 720w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/suffolkcambs/wp-content/uploads/sites/15/2021/08/rsz_punter-300x200.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/suffolkcambs/wp-content/uploads/sites/15/2021/08/rsz_punter-150x100.jpg 150w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/suffolkcambs/wp-content/uploads/sites/15/2021/08/rsz_punter-788x525.jpg 788w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/suffolkcambs/wp-content/uploads/sites/15/2021/08/rsz_punter.jpg 1000w" sizes="(max-width: 720px) 100vw, 720px" /></figure>



<p>More quirky courtyard than manicured garden, but no less lovely for it. The Punter’s outdoor space is full of rambling greenery, mis-matched vintage furniture and serious sunshine. It’s laid-back, friendly, and perfectly positioned for a post-lunch punt from the nearby Quayside. Think hearty food, cold wine and a vibe that says <em>Cambridge cool</em> with zero pretension.</p>


Sunny all week? 6 pub gardens to sip in style in Suffolk & Cambs

You may also like