The title might be a slight misnomer (ok, exaggeration) but we have continued to expand our horizons with two further trips in the last ten days or so. On the Wednesday we decided, somewhat on a whim, to visit the market town of Diss for probably only the third time since 1995!
It was both bigger and more interesting than we remembered, with its fair share of listed buildings. The Mere was present and correct, although the aspect was somewhat different from how we remembered it. The museum was closed unfortunately, but we did have a very pleasant unplanned lunch at the Waterfront Inn – refreshing to sit outside with the Mere as the backdrop and enjoy a pint again. A stroll around the town, with the Grade II listed Corn Hall and the 13thC St, Mary’s Church. The Corn Hall in particular has undertaken something of a resurgence (actually, it’s the Corn Hall Trust that is responsible for the actual new lease of life, not the Hall itself – that would be stupid….) and is now a thriving arts venue offering a wide range of quality entertainment.
The following Tuesday, we decided to search out the Marquis of Cornwallis at Upper Layham, which defines itself as a luxury hotel, restaurant and bar located in beautiful south Suffolk. Can’t comment on the hotel (although the internal decoration looked promising), but on a hunch and because there were tables available, we decided to stop and have lunch. Very Kesgrave Hall (Milsoms) in some ways, with an open kitchen on view and a varied and eclectic menu. Certainly the beer, which I had never seen before, was a less familiar name but despite being uncommon was a very fine pint indeed (sadly, as you may have divined, I’ve now forgotten the uncommon beer’s name 🙂 . Food was quality as well.
The accommodation prices were a little steep, but it was beautifully postioned and exuded quality. Only downside was that you needed a car to get there and, probably, the same transport to visit anywhere whilst you were staying there. I suspect we will give it a punt though.
Found out the beer was a 3.8% ABV pale ale From Mauldons in Sudbury. Or, as the website states “A well-balanced session beer. Crisp hoppy bitterness with a late malty flavour coming through“. So, not as rare as I thought….