Very few pubs manage to achieve that perfect balance of appealing to every type of punter – locals popping by for a relaxed beer and bar snack, foodies looking for gourmet experience, aesthetes who love good interiors, dog walkers and cyclists hoping for a quick refuel, families after a relaxed and casual vibe, and holiday-makers who want to escape to the country. We’d defy anyone not to fall in love with The Packhorse Inn in Moulton though, a gorgeous country pub with rooms that has something for everyone from four-legged visitors right through to smart wedding parties.

The Packhorse Inn is part of East Anglian hospitality group, Chestnut, and has just been lovingly refurbished to bring it in line with the other stunning pubs in the portfolio (think The Westleton Crown, The Carpenters Arms and The Black Lion). Updates in early 2024 included a brand new light-filled barn restaurant area with gorgeous views over one of the prettiest Suffolk villages. The kitchen has also been extended to include a viewing window so you can keep an eye on your food being lovingly prepared. Boutique rooms have also been added out the back and all areas from the wood-panelled bar to the characterful private function room have been given a Instagrammable facelift. Plus there’s a large garden to soak up the sun over the summer months.

As for the food, pub grub doesn’t get much better. Head chef Steve Angier whips up elegant twists on classic dishes using seasonal products such as Cambridge asparagus, Norfolk Black chicken, salt baked Norfolk beet and of course Newmarket sausages. In the spirit of being welcoming to all, there’s also a kids-eat-for-£5 menu, a dog-friendly menu, grill and roast sharing options and vegan and gluten free dishes.

If you’re looking for a countryside getaway it doesn’t get much better either. Moulton is one of the most beautiful villages in Suffolk, full of charming cottages, grazing sheep, a cute village shop and the river that runs by the pub, with the packhorse bridge giving the pub its name. The 16 dog-friendly rooms (including 8 brand new ones for 2024) are super stylish and elegant with lovely touches like in-bedroom baths with views.

The Packhorse Inn also hosts brilliant events throughout the year, such as outdoor theatre showings, and you can host your own event from relaxed birthday parties to show-stopping weddings in the gorgeous Club Room or restaurant. When you can tear yourself away from all this, you’ll find miles of walks on the doorstep and easy access to nearby Newmarket with tourist delights such as Newmarket Races, Newmarket Nights and The National Horseracing Museum.