The Crown Hotel

Centrally located in the seaside town of Southwold, The Crown dates back to the 18th century, when it was a coaching inn. Now the flagship hotel for Adnams Brewery, it offers a range of excellent ales on tap, as well as local Aspall Cider. The high standard of cooking is recognised with an AA Rosette, and the whole place buzzes with lively informality. The seaside location brings impressive seafood options such as pan-fried sea bass fillet with mussels, cauliflower risotto and saffron velouté, or fillet of cod with buttered spinach and shellfish chowder. Other options might include hay-braised belly of local pork, black pudding purée, Savoy cabbage, apple and prune compôte; or pheasant breast with parsnip purée, sprouts, Chantenay carrots and sloe gin jus. Excellent puddings include blood orange cheesecake with pistachio ice cream. The Crown's 14 refurbished bedrooms are reached through twisting corridors and staircases.