When you’ve spent a day gulping lungfuls of fresh salty air by the Suffolk Coast, you need somewhere cosy, homely and welcoming to relax in. Step into The Westleton Crown and you’ll not be disappointed. This heavenly haunt in Westleton, where countryside meets sea, has it all – roaring fires, a cosy vibe and squishy chairs in winter, and a light-flooded garden room and terrace for soaking up the sun in the warmer months.

The Chestnut Group took over the ownership of this 12th century coaching inn in 2018 and gave it a brilliant refresh – keeping the history intact but making the interiors lively, colourful and contemporary. Westleton is peak coastal walk area, with Dunwich Heath, Westleton Common and loads of fabulous beaches on the doorstep, so when you arrive chances are you’ll be famished. Good news then that the food here is modern and award-winning (2 AA Rosettes), with all your gastropub classics like a Suffolk Gold Beef Burger and Beer-Battered Haddock alongside more delicate dishes such as North Sea cod fillet with braised puy lentils and butternut squash risotto.

There are 34 bedrooms to stay in, ranging from family duplexes to single boltholes, all done up in a contemporary but rustic style. Dogs are very welcome here in both the bar and many of the bedrooms too, and the extensive, landscaped garden boasts many shady and sunny spots for al fresco dining. The Westleton Crown also makes a perfect choice of event space for weddings or private parties.

Stylish it may be, but it’s still got that hard-to-achieve, welcoming Suffolk country vibe, so it works for all  sorts of occasions – whether you’ve just arrived from the beach with a salty dog and sun-kissed kids in tow, or have turned up in your glad rags for cocktails with the girls. We’re slightly smitten with this place and always stop by when we’re in the area. Go give it a whirl and it’ll soon become your go-to pub on the Suffolk coast.