The best restaurants serving British food in East of England

We are very fortunate to eat out quite frequently. This was my first visit to The Paper Mills, but we have found that the best pubs/restaurants are those where 1) the food is interesting (most places do good food these days, but a place that just does fish and chips and burgers is not as noteworthy as one where the chef has gone the extra mile - not knocking fish and chips - have it frequently - but like to have the choice) 2) the staff are interested (human beings who have personality and clearly enjoy their job and make you welcome) 3) the ambience makes it a fun place to visit Well, the Paper Mills excels in all three. A fab “manager” (?) who couldn’t have made us more welcome, a really interesting menu (with the best Roast Lamb I have had for a very long time), and a welcoming for our dog, our 2-year old Granddaughter and heavily pregnant daughter. And the pub itself is lovely - the football was on the TV (but not in an intrusive way), the log burner was roaring, and it was just a lively place, but still perfect for a family Mothers Day lunch. We will be back - top drawer in every department!

Last time I visited, the place was under new management and everything was good. This time, after recommending to friends, it was a complete shambles. Staff who didn't care, just look at you and walk into the kitchen, took 23 minutes to get served then food was 45 minutes later and dry and cold Bèer was OK but the real ale wasn't to the standard when I last visited. When I tried complaining no one came over until I said I would go to head office direct. No refund just a routine apology. If this is how Hungry horse feel about customer service then it will not be long before they close. We popped in the maids head after and even though its still a green King pub it was a nice environment, staff that cared. You would do well to get the management there to train you all.

Great little pub, lovely pub food and great service, been told under new management so looking forward to what’s to come, we will be back

Yummy breakfast at just after 7am on our way to our holiday in Lincolnshire. Food was hot, fast service and prices great. Pub had obviously just been cleaned too and toilets were very clean.

This used to be great pub for food. Sadly over the last 12 months it has gone spectacularly downhill! Lovely comfortable and charming interior and good beer. Sadly I have had two disappointing meals . Most recent being with family. We order a pasta dish with salmon. Tasteless! And we ordered Pie of The Day. Probably at least a day old steak pie turned up. Very very very crusty pastry. An uncooked carrot and a tiny bit of broccoli accompanied the pie. Lots of gravy but it seemed that the gravy had been thrown on to the plate covering everything including the small gravy jug sitting on the plate. No salt or pepper on the table. I gather the pub has introduced a new menu. My advice to customers. Stick to the drinks. My advice to the pub. Either don’t serve food at all or offer food that your fine reputation can live up to. Don’t over complicate keep it simple and manage customer expectations.

This was our 1st visit since it’s been taken over, we ordered mains, two Sunday Roasts, the beef was cooked to perfection, plenty of mixed veg, one had the fish and chips very tasty, the other had Roast Chicken Supreme, we had to wait a while, it wasn’t busy, had to ask when would our meal be served? As a gesture of good will the manager took the drinks off the bill, we will be returning as the food was very tasty, nice to see a different menu too

We had a two night stay here in room 4 which is out the back by the carpark so great location. Room was really nice with everything you need. We ate in bar first night and had a lovely meal, wine list was good and reasonable. The staff were all great and service superb. Will go again

Ismail, Megan and Elliot are the predominant reason I will always gravitate to The Graduate. It has become my go to for meetings, dinners and drinks. Great atmosphere, superseded by the diligent and genuine service. The staff are what makes this place feel like home for me.

We came out for a birthday lunchtime carvery never again!! The staff looked fed up even though they had only just opened Staff clothing looked dirty The restaurant looks dirty and needs a major overhaul The knife and fork were dirty we had to get some more that looked slightly cleaner, plates weren’t much better so definitely need to invest in a decent dishwasher The salt and pepper were empty staff never came to fill up again we had to go to another table and do it ourselves The food was awful and tasted reheated It was very expensive compared to other places that were far better I certainly wouldn’t come again.

Absolutely fumiming !!!!! Have received a parking fine today 2 months after an event at the pub....how long has ANPR been in use here!? I'm a local and have used the pub for over 40 years , that will change I think , at no point was it mentioned by staff & no apparent notice in the pub . No , i hadnt noticed signage , hardly surprising really!!! Extortionate fine considering its not a parking violation as such just failed to register my car ... Disgraceful

Very disappointing. Waited 45 mins for the food, and when it turned up, it was luke warm and poor. Won't be visiting again..

On our way to a festival in little hadham. We booked table late but were accommodating. Had a roast dinner and our was so tasty. I had beef, my wife had lamb. The guy, I assume was the manager was attentive and polite. Very good at his job. Definitely will be back

Lovely breakfast and very quick service despite it being very busy. New layout in the restaurant with new furniture, love it. Thank you

Lovely little pub! 😍 Called in for food & drinks as down those ways for a few days for a family wedding! Great atmosphere & friendly staff! 🫶💛✨️

Spent the day at Dad's wake. Staff were amazing