Sitting proudly on the High Street in Bildeston, Suffolk, is The Crown, a 15th century former coaching inn that has been the focal point of village life for centuries. One of Suffolk's historic wool towns, Bildeston, near Lavenham, is mentioned in the Doomsday Book, but is now better known as the home of The Crown, a much loved country pub with rooms. Currently owned by Nedging Hall Estate, a family owned estate run by Charles and Harriet Buckle, The Crown combines lots of old world charm with an exciting 'estate-to-plate' dining experience, as much of pub's cuisine is grown and farmed on the estate.
With an authentic menu, and beautiful spot in the Suffolk countryside, a memorable stay at The Crown is guaranteed. We caught up with Charlotte from the Crown's marketing team to find out more..
Welcome to the Style Journal Charlotte. Firstly, tell us who makes up the team? Our Executive Chef, Greig Young, leads the kitchen. He works closely with the
Nedging Hall Estate gardening team to deliver a menu that is both seasonal and local. Beyond vegetables, fruits and herbs, the estate also supplies
The Crown with wild game, while all our other meat and poultry is sourced from farms within a stone’s throw of Bildeston. Likewise, a warm welcome and smooth service is guaranteed courtesy of Jackie Ha who has recently joined The Crown from the UK's former number one gastropub, The Unruly Pig, near Woodbridge.
What makes The Crown such a unique destination in the Suffolk countryside?
There's no doubt it is one of Suffolk's most charming country pubs. It has oodles of charm and inside you’ll find characterful and cosy dog-friendly bars, light-filled spaces to dine in, a pretty courtyard and indulgent bedrooms. The Crown houses lots of period features including inglenook fireplaces, secret stairways and wood panelled rooms. There are a number of bars and seating areas; each with its own personality. That's what makes it special. The Paddock Bar, for example, is dedicated to the Buckle’s love of horse racing. And, with a focus on locally sourced produce, our menus change like the surrounding Suffolk landscape - through the seasons. The garden team, alongside our talented chefs, work hand-in-hand to create an incredible culinary experience.
Can you tell a bit about the history of the building?
The building dates back at least to the 15th century when it was first mentioned as a coaching inn, and there used to be a cattle market in the courtyard behind it. Charlie and Harriet took it over in 2022 and have since lovingly restored it. Being family owned and run means it's a pub with heart. Charlie and Harriet are entirely hands on and its Harriet’s keen eye for interior design that has ensured The Crown looks as good as it tastes.
She's chosen a palate of heritage colours ranging from golden yellows to rich greens and warming reds that weave their way throughout the ground floor creating a convivial and inviting space that always glows thanks to the roaring fire. The 13 bedrooms are equally stylish. Sumptuous beds and
classic interiors with a contemporary edge create spaces you won't want to leave.
Working with such an historic building has its challenges, can you tell us how you combined its historic roots with modern ideas of comfort and style? Working with a 15th-century building like The Crown means respecting everything that makes it special in the first place. Our focus was on restoring and celebrating
original features such as exposed timber beams, uneven floors and historic fireplaces, whilst carefully introducing contemporary comforts. Modern amenities, high-quality beds and
thoughtful lighting have all been integrated in a way that feels sympathetic to the building’s character, allowing guests to enjoy present-day comfort without losing the sense of history.
What was your inspiration for the decor? The inspiration came from the building itself and its Suffolk surroundings. The decor takes cues from traditional materials and heritage tones that complement the Crown’s timber frame and period details, combined with soft textures and understated contemporary pieces. The aim was to create spaces that feel warm and inviting rather than overly formal — somewhere that honours the building’s past while still feeling relaxed and lived-in.
What are the key ingredients for creating the perfect stay for your guests? For us, it’s about balancing comfort with character. Beautifully comfortable beds,
calm and cosy spaces, and modern amenities are essential, but just as important is creating an atmosphere where guests can truly unwind. Friendly, attentive service, good food and thoughtful touches all help ensure that guests feel at home. There is always a warm welcome for families, friends, couples and dogs alike. It’s this atmosphere that ensures everyone keeps coming back. The pub is welcoming to all, and our team do their utmost to create incredible dining and drinking experiences for every guest. Good food is at the core of the Crown's offering.
Which is your favourite room and why?
Personally, I love the bar; it's the heart of the pub. With the fire roaring, soft lighting and constant chatter, it's always a buzzy but comforting place to be. Every room has its own character, the ones where the original architectural features are the most visible are always favourites. You’re surrounded by centuries of craftsmanship, yet still able to enjoy all the comforts of a modern boutique-hotel stay.
What is your ethos when it comes to dining at the Crown?
At The Crown, we are all passionate about estate-to-plate dining. There are four full time gardeners at Nedging Hall who work hand in hand with our talented chefs to make sure we have the best home grown produce from our kitchen gardens, or sourced locally, to create an incredible dining experience focussed on seasonality. The chefs are always happy to talk to everyone about where their produce comes from.
Executive Chef Greig says: "It is music to my ears. To have the kitchen garden at Nedging Hall to pick seasonal produce from inspires us chefs and keeps our menus fresh which is exactly what people want. We craft genuine and unpretentious dishes, seasonal and fresh. Our team is committed to cooking up the plentiful supply of Suffolk produce, from wild game sourced on the estate to fresh fish from the Suffolk coast. The Crown is one of the best places to enjoy a relaxed long lunch, a sumptuous supper or a special celebration."
How important is lighting for creating the right atmosphere for your restaurant? It’s key. It’s sets the mood and tone. It creates the right relaxed vibe we are looking for.
We are thrilled to see you have used Jim Lawrence lighting – what drew you to choose us? Jim Lawrence lights are classic. They just don’t age. They’re key pieces that
make a statement, but are timeless.
The Barbican pendants make a stunning feature in the bar, as do the
Club Wall lights over our wood burner.
What lies ahead for the Crown?We want that warm buzz about the place as folk laugh, drink and relax in their village pub. We’re striving to be that place that everyone wants to come for a celebration, but we also want to be the first-place locals think of to pop in to for a quick and tasty supper on a midweek evening. The offering at The Crown is outstanding. The food, the team and the estate.
General Manager, Jackie Ha, adds: ‘I’m so proud to be part of it. My hope is that I’ll help make The Crown a destination and bring people to the pub from all over the country’
Finally, some quick fire questions.What attracts people to the area? It's all about countryside walks, a few tipples and long leisurely lunches.
What three words summarise how you would like your guests to feel when they arrive? Excited, at ease with the team, comfortable.
And when they leave? Content, merry and relaxed.
