Bakers Arms in Babergh

Michael and Sheila have gone although the new "lady of the house" is actually Sheilas daughter. I appreciated we are in troubled times with a lot of pubs cutting back but a very limited menu will not impress previous customers, although the fish couldn't have been fresher. A big no is the owners children having the run of the pub, just imagine "grumpy" Michaels comments!!!.

Good honest home cooked food and a very friendly welcome. Delicious homemade pie, a great burger and tasty fish and chips. Perfect pit stop whilst walking with our dogs.

6 of us had a wonderful meal/drinks at this village pub after a walk on the River Stour. A warm welcome from the hosts too. The food was superb: fresh, generous portions and served on hot plates! No complaints from any of us. Keep doing what you are doing.

Really well set up for lockdown restrictions. A route through the pub and two lovely well spaced beer garden areas. Really nice for a visit during a trip to the Shotley peninsula.

After a beautiful walk along the shore line we visited this quaint pub with our dog Troy. A welcome drink and friendly atmosphere encouraged us to stay for seconds and a huffer to share. An idilc find. Well worth a visit.

Went for a mid week lunch, had a wonderful lasagna with garlic bread definitely recommended. Lovely and warm by the fire and owners seem very nice.

A truly welcoming couple running a pub - the food is lovely and it was a pleasure getting to know them when they hosted the Nobody Should Be Alone for Christmas lunch in cooperation with Accounting Gem. Lybi and Ross were catering for 30 people on Christmas day who were all going to be alone for Christmas. Being alone at Christmas myself I asked them if I could volunteer helping them out on the day and was so taken by their spirit and kindness. The day was lovely and it was a real pleasure to get to know them and their fun spirit and lively personalities.

I actually preferred it when old landlord was there always got a warm friendly welcome from him. Didn't like being read a menu and not given any choices and food very average. Would think twice before returning think new landlords really need to up there game and try and do something different.

I’m delighted to say that the grumpy old landlord has gone and in his place are a really lovely couple - Lybi and Ross (and their lovely family) Once again this lovely old pub is a proper village pub. Welcoming, friendly with laughter and life running through it. The Sunday roast is generous and delicious and I look forward to trying other items off the menu. Thoroughly recommend. I will be back.

Arrived at at this quaint little pub lookingnforward to a post ride pint on a hot day. Landlord; begrudingly served us we were clearly interrupting his listening to the cricket match....we noticed the door was open to the kitchen and there was a huge dog walking around in there whilst food was out and prepared on the surfaces with no kind of coverings...thank God we weren't looking to eat!. We went to sit in the garden to enjoy our drinks and the sun....now we're dog people, however to have two dogs; some sort of mastiff and a beagle them pester you the entire time was bloody annoying. Dog slobber on our clothes, jumping up...the point of no return though was the mastiff p*ssing against the bench where we'd put our rucksacks and the it going all over one of the straps!! Seriously....NEVER GOING BACK!!

Erratic opening times, was supposed to be open at 6pm but didn't open until 6:15pm and only after a local the owner knew turned up and nearly left, but the owner literally ran out to call him back and tell him he was opening despite me sitting outside the pub for fifteen minutes. The owner, Michael, was immediately rude and abrupt with me, and I got the impression he would rather not serve me, and didn't want me there. I asked what the guest ale was as there was a sign up about guest beers and he just pointed to the 'regular' pumps and said 'there', 'I can't serve you if you don't tell me what you want'! I felt like leaving but I'd cycled a fair way to try the pub so had a pint of Yardbird which was okay but nothing special. The owner was more civil with me when I left but the waiting around for the pub to open, the initial rudeness and the feeling that he would rather not have had me there spoilt the whole visit. Initially I thought it was because I was a cyclist, but other reviews here and elsewhere also mention the gentleman being rude, so maybe he just has bad days. I'd stopped at Pin Mill before this stop and a guy there told me the owner at the Bakers Arms can be funny and I'd be better skipping it and going to the Swan at Holbrook. I think next cycle I'll take that advice and ride on to the Swan! I normally cycle with five or six other lads so I'll be advising them to do the same!

Very generous portion,s of down to earth food, friendly landlord, not sure about the butcher who supplies the meat, quiet country pub could do with a thorough spring clean.

We LOVE this pub & we LOVE Michael (landlord) and his family. It’s a real rural gem with great beer & good home made food. Dog friendly AND miniature horse friendly. We took our two mini horses & sat in the sun in the lovely garden full of dogs & chickens & had a thoroughly relaxing afternoon! Ps it’s a lovely walk along the river from Stutton & Royal Hospital School.

If in the area i would never dream of having Sunday lunch anywhere else but here. Today owner Michael has a problem, wife Shelia is a victim of Ryan Air and is stuck in Ireland so he is cooking. Not only am i impressed but he also has a smile on his face!!! Regulars will know what you are getting here at the Bakers Arms, good food & plenty of it, and the Beef is rare. Word of warning Michael has expensive tastes in his Wine, so always check the price before ordering!!!

Charming. Super Sunday lunch. Not another 'Gastro pub' thank God, Just simple home cooking! A handful of real ales and a very friendly publican!

Having just moved into Holbrook, we decided to do some exploring as it was a beautiful hot day. Came across this little cosy pub which has a superb selection of real ales and us being real ale drinkers was spot on! Ordered Sunday Roast which came out and was delicious and plenty of it! Then headed off over the corn fields to find the beach which again was pure bliss, will definitely cycle next time, and will definitely be going back! Thank you!

Have visited the Bakers Arms a few times over the past 6 months, last time in early April, and the inconsistencies in quality of food served extraordinary. Eg: I tried the ‘ ‘homemade’ cottage pie 2 weeks apart - first time completely delicious and clearly home cooked, I was so delighted. Was pleased to see it again on the menu on next visit (same description, same price, so had to be the same right?) but what I got was very obviously the cheapest microwave meal available, not fit for a dog. The landlord was offhand and unapproachable - he was mostly watching tv in a back room and seemed very put out to be disturbed to have to serve us. Unsurprisingly the place was deserted. Drinks all overpriced too - £23 for a bottle of below average wine...checked the label and it was from Aldi. What a joke. Worst meal we’ve ever had, would never consider going back.

This was a great find when walking the area. An original village pub in unspoilt style with good beers. The highlight was simple but very good home cooked food, soups and toasted sandwiches. Good bar scene. Friendly staff especially Louise the cook.

Fuimos en una recomendación y no estamos decepcionados. Es un pub país encantador con un personal amable. La comida era sencillamente espléndido. Yo soy una liga tan generosa de 5 estrellas aquí apenas hace justicia a la calidad. Las porciones son grandes. Sin duda merece la pena una visita.

We have had many wonderful meals at the Bakers Arms. You are made so welcome by Michael and Sheila who run it. Sheila's cooking is second to none. Thoroughly recommended!

this was a great find for our walking group from Colchester,there were only six of us on this walk but we all agreed that this was a fine place to lunch we all chose something different from the varied menu and everyone was delighted with their choice,and with some fine ales on tap, the sun burning down, it was difficult to drag ourselves out of the beer garden to wend our way back to Shotley. This place is well worth seeking out in this quiet corner of the Shotley Peninsula,

On holiday at Pin Mill and no visit to the Shotley Peninsular should be without visiting the Bakers Arms. Lunch of Friday, with Hunters Chicken (although not on menu) and back for Sunday Lunch. Both excellent as always.

Viviendo el momento, después de un almuerzo delicioso paseo a lo largo del río.

Do not expect fine dining... just walk and enjoy a pint and some grub...stroll down to Harkstead Beach and touch base with the best kept secret in Suffolk... dam I was keeping this to myself.

Saturday lunch and remarkably quiet for the Bakers Arms. Didn't bother with the menu but asked Shelia if she could cook us one of her "specials, cooked to order". Arrived 20 minutes later, now that`s what i call service.

Stopped off here on a whim. Small pub with at least 3 ale pumps on. Made to feel very welcome. Nice friendly staff. Would come again. Pleasant

Headed here with 6 friends, for Sunday lunch, stunning Sunday aftetnoon sitting in garden, 25oc "wow UK has turned it on!the atmosphere was great as was the food, albeit "no menu, no idea of pricing, the owner came out with his notes on a bit of paper, we ordered. My sausage plait was great, chips amazingly crisp,

We were on a walk and it only took a small detor to find this gem of a local. Good selection of ales, we had huffers, as a full roast would have been too much while walking. The food and sevice both excellent.

Because they get very busy and we were taking the dog, i booked an early Sunday lunch for the 31st in the bar. Consequently we were the first to be served, with first cuts from both the Beef and the Pork, resulting in no rare beef and very bitty, fatty pork, of course as this is the Bakers Arms both portions were very generous which didn't in fact help. I appreciate someone has to be first, today it was us, of course we will be back but next time perhaps not so early!!!

We go here for the best Sunday dinner for miles around. Faultless and already booked for February, need to book as gets full quickly

Michael & Sheila were incredibly helpful when planning our Mothers wake, everyone who attended commented on the wonderful food and the friendliness of the staff. I was so pleased we chose the Bakers Arms as it beautifully completed a day celebrating of our Mothers life.

It may be a "no frills" village pub tucked away on the Shotley Peninsular, but the food served here would grace the table of any posh Restaurant. Today its the huge Sunday roast, with Rare roast Beef in abundance for the wife and the Pork for me. I don't know how, but we also both managed the Cheesecake!!.its not local to us, in fact its not even in the same county, but every 2 -3 months we seem to find an excuse to do the 100 mile round trip.

Excellent Sunday lunch. Decent ale and a cosy atmosphere. Booking advised. Veg cooked perfectly for me and a very large plateful, so big in fact that we couldn't fit in pudding. Best Sunday lunch i've had out in 20 yrs.

By prior arrangement I took 12 of my walking group, the Stockwell Strollers, to the Bakers Arms for lunch on the 26th September. We took the ferry from Harwich to Shotley, walked up the Rover Orwell to almost Chelmondiston before heading inland to the Bakers Arms. I’d previously visited and taken a copy of the menu and telephoned our food order to them at around 10.30 and said that we’d be there by 1.00. We arrived on time, had a great welcome and no sooner sat down with a drink when the first food arrived. Without a doubt the food was the best that we’d on any of our walks this year! A choice of three real ales all very well kept and we were all reluctant to leave and start the walk back along the Stour to Shotley.An excellent pub that I can’t recommend highly enough.We’ll be back next year.

Friendly, cheerful, family run country pub. Good food and sometimes with live music from a local band.

My family arranged a surprise birthday here for me. Would like to say the buffet the Landlady put on was superb. So much and she had catered for everyone, children, those who couldn't take gluten and vegetarians, plus of course the carnivores. It was all so tasty, everyone throughly enjoyed the variety of food and especially the wonderful ham. Thank you Mike and Sheila for making my birthday so special.

Had a lovely lunch. Impressed as they created something for me as gluten/dairy free and there wasn't anything I could have on the lunch menu

We went for Sunday Lunch had not been for years we were surprised at the generous portions of the roast lunch. Also amazing puddings. Staff very friendly, beer very good our little dog was made welcome in the bar, always a bonus with us.

Found them when we were holiday in the area in June. Came back again twice more that week. Back once more in August, asked if we could have a meal that we had enjoyed previously that wasn't on the menu The answer was" of course" but it will take 20 minutes. Well worth the 100 mile round trip.

Visited here on our way home from shopping, lovely friendly welcome, we asked if we could have a curry even though it wasn't Wednesday ( their curry night) and was told we could. Presentation was lovely and the curry is to die for, highly recommend this quaint little pub, had a lovely evening, we will definitely be going back.

Excellent home cooked food and a lovely atmosphere - ate outside in the lovely garden watching the walkers and horses go past - quintessentially British! Very attentive and friendly service - definitely worth the beautiful drive and will be back again.

This wonderful very old pub is in the tiny village of Harkstead, take the road from Ipswich under The Orwell Bridge, after the top of Freston Hill take a right to Holbrook, Harkstead is signposted from there. Before or after your meal you could enjoy a lovely walk down to the banks of The Stour.I can only describe Sunday lunch, I suggest you phone and enquire what the set up is on other days, in any case it is probably best to book, it was packed when we went there,The main selling point is that everything is cooked from scratch with tip top ingredients sourced locally, they tell you where all the meat comes fromOn the Sunday I went, the only things on the menu where roasts. If you are not a meat eater, fresh fish is available but you have to order it ahead of the day. If this seems complicated believe me it is worth it.There was a choice, beef, lamb or pork, our group tried all three all DELICIOUS with real roasties and properly cooked veg. good gravy and appropriate sauces. Faultless, homely proper decent grub.There was more of a choice with puds I had chocolate and raspberry cheesecake, there was fudge cake and apple tart and a few others.There are lovely touches here, I think you will adore the pudding plates shaped like a slice and if you order coffee, you get your own cafetiere and a very mini glass milk bottle! Service very friendly young staff I guess from the village or nearby.It was a little slow but no one minded, it is so chilled in there and no one minds waiting for something of this quality, hot and fresh. The owner told me they never advertise. They don't need to, its fame must spread by word of mouth. There are pretty gardens as well It's worth the possibility of getting lost in the countryside, best pub on the Shotley peninsula by far!

We had Sunday lunch here with my 97 year old Mother. The pub has a traditional village atmosphere with a good selection of beers, etc. The food was excellent and served hot and quickly. The only problem (?) was that there was rather a lot of food and far to much for mother and I just had to help her out a bit! Well, we could not let that good food go to waste now, could we?We shall return.

we were oh holiday and came across it by accident and came back for Sunday lunch. Great roast, huge in size. Real ales, dog friendly (just) - told to sit in "that" corner.Full restaurant and hand written menus, a good sign. We will come back

We went there for an evening meal.We did not have a starter but the main courses were excellent as were the desserts.

We stopped here after a bike ride, as the location was so pretty. Had great food, even if a little highly priced, but couldn't fault it in anyway. The service was friendly and prompt (I think it was the gentleman that owns the pub that served us). The deserts are to die for! Lovely atmosphere inside and out. We will definitely be going back.

I hadn't visited this pub for a couple of years and was very pleasantly surprised on a recent visit. The new decoration has a much more cosy country feel and created a relaxed atmosphere - I can imagine lovely winter nights sitting in the armchairs by the fire. We had intended to only stop for a quick drink but ended up having lunch as well. My cold meat salad was beautifully presented and I couldn't actually get through all of the generous portion. My boyfriend had a meat filled Huffer and again he said he thoroughly enjoyed it. We both said we would return again - perhaps next time for an evening meal. Certainly worth a visit - lovely pub in a beautiful village.

Great food cooked from scratch, beer was great and the company was excellent. It was curry night the night I visited on a cold wintry day. The open fire was most welcome.

Eaten in best restaurants all over but this pub is lovely by far, roast dinner on Sundays a must and febe the little waitress is just so sweet, the place has a querky feel about it with open fires and a friendly atmosphere , but as it's out the way they need as much support as possible Love it love it

It's coming up to the first anniversary of Michael and Sheila's occupancy at the Bakers and they have transformed it redecorating right through and offering a good range of very tasty food. The pub remains the hub of village life with good support from locals with their families and often their dogs. We all wish them well for their second year.

Small menu BUT that's no problem.The food was excellent and prepared from scratch. The portion size was perfect.We'll be back.

When we moved to the area sixteen years ago we called in for a drink. We never returned. There was absolutely nothing to commend the place. Recently, word got back to us that it reopened, under new management, at the end of February, and was well worth a visit, so off we went to investigate. We were NOT disappointed. It happened to be Curry Night, very busy, but the meals were well worth the wait. Husband pronounced the beer to be perfect - just the right temperature (so many pubs get it wrong when serving it chilled). There is a warm welcome and a very "homely" atmosphere. It is obvious just how much hard work the new owners have put into the place and we are so fortunate to discover such a gem almost on our doorstep. There is a pretty garden, which we will look forward to having drinks in on the next warm summer evening, as well as more super home cooked food. Sunday lunch is next on the list.

We have eaten there 6 times since the new owners took over. They are really welcoming, nothing is too much trouble and the food is great. Food is always hot, more gastro than pub food, you will really enjoy it. You can always ring to find out what is on the menu and it changes regularly which is great, always a surprise for the taste buds. Good selection of wine,