The Bedingfeld Arms

After visiting Oxburgh Hall (which we can highly recommend) we called here for a drink before driving back to where we were staying. The pub and gardens are very neat and tidy and there is a lifesize statue in the garden looking back towards the pub. The young girl who served us was very polite and friendly. Well worth a visit, and if you do, take a look in the village church across from the pub garden.

We have stayed here on a few occasions and had a wonderful experience but this time there was much disappointment. Firstly dining:- This previously had always been enjoyable; straightforward but great quality and noticeably fine ingredients. This time the food was simply of a low standard with our favourite Beef Bourguignon tasting like the inside of a supermarket meat pie, and not convinced red wine had been anywhere near its preparation . The restaurant and bar were clearly under staffed too, which can happen, but the combination with poor cookery made for a bad experience. Thankfully, as a family we were in good company with plenty of conversation. And the hotel:- Many establishments like this, up and down the country, get to a stage where a refurbishment is required and it looks that way here - a worn out shower which should really be replaced, a noisy ensuite fan (sadly common these days) and a toilet seat not really working well and looking old. Generally, the accommodation is looking tired, especially the bathroom. But the real surprise was the DIY room service (see picture) which reminded us of the Pandemic days and the processes hospitality were forced to put in place. Anyway, my guess is they only had one key for the room and as we stayed for two nights, we took the key away with us during the day - that's what everybody does these days. Look, no real harm done here but we were both surprised and disappointed.

We booked the best room in the inn, the 4 poster looked amazing as did the roll top bath and fireplace. But the lack of any soap or bubble bath, coffee stained carpet, and only the burned out remains of a nightlight in the fireplace all talk to a room not living up to its promise. The rest of the stay told a similar story, coffee facilities but a leaking kettle, water glasses in the room but no water. And two of my pet hates, a dripping cistern that I could hear all night and a fan in the bathroom that puts most Harley Davidson bikes to shame. You get the picture. It will take very little work to make this a place that deserved a 5* review but the conditions during our stay were 3* at best.

This place is a hidden gem. First impression on arrival was a little confusing as the outside area has a couple of random ornaments not in keeping with the decor and in need of a little tlc, however the interior and the rooms were beautifully decorated. Food good value and delicious and the staff extremely friendly. Everything was really clean and we felt valued as guests. Had a really good sleep in a beautiful four poster bed . I only had one complaint. We were woken up around 7am by the sound of bass music. Originally we were convinced it was a guest above us but when arriving downstairs for breakfast we realised it was coming from the many speakers dotted around the restaurant area. No need for that first thing in the morning obviously more for the staff than the guests. Shame because we loved the food, service and room and location. Stopped me putting 5 stars.

Location was excellent in a quiet hamlet .walking distance of an excellent national trust property and church full of history. Good food but limited options at the hotel, staff friendly ,corteouse and informative on local places of interest.

Fantastic stay Coach room was lovely, clean, good amenities and well decorated Food was excellent with the ******* being one of the best I’ve ever had Staff were friendly welcoming and always willing to help