CAMPAIGN FOR REAL ALE

SUFFOLK - Brent Eleigh, Cock

National Inventory of Historic Pub Interiors Part Two

Lavenham Road, Brent Eleigh, Sudbury, CO10 9PB

(on A141)

Tel: 01787 247371

Draught Beer & Cider: Real Ales. 1 of only 2 pubs selling Castlings Heath Cottage Organic cider from nearby Gratan

Pub Food: Snacks

Listed Status: Grade II

View this pub on a local map

An attractive thatched wayside 18th-century pub. The pink rendering conceals a timber-frame which could be older. Tall brick chimneys. Although not named, the Cock was given the title of 'The Perfect Pub' in the 1989 book of the same name by Nick & Charlie Hurt, and it is easy to see why. The pub consists of two bars, the main one is entered through the front doorway, and the older one on the right is accessed from a door in the first room. The smaller bar on the right has wooden panelling in the dado, a small bar counter with genuinely old woodwork, and a set of old bar back shelves with a till drawer in it. This small quarry tiled floored room has a low tongue and groove panelled ceiling, old wooden panelling in the dado around the room with bare wall benches attached on the left wall side, a large scrubbed table, and an old fireplace with a fine wood surround with what looks like 1930s brick interior.

The present main room on the left saw some changes in 1976 - previously service was via a hatch. Half of the present servery was taken up by the off sales, but the reduced off sales area still remains and is entered by the side door further from the road. The counter and bar back shelves in the public bar date from 1976. The fireplace dates from the 1930s and seating consists of two basic bare benches, an assortment of chairs and a few bar stools. In the end of one of the benches is a hole that is the rare pub game of Tossing The Penny. New licensee James Davis has purchased 13 George III ounce pennies to bring the game back into use. Note that on the large scrubbed table is carved an early form of shove ha'penny. Outside gents' and ladies'.