A beloved village pub has been named one of the UK’s best for a weekend walk and a pint.
The Sun Inn in Dedham, a 15th-century coaching inn in the heart of Constable Country, earned praise from David Hancock, Sawday’s chief pub inspector, who included it in his list of 20 UK pubs with "spectacular" walking routes.
Each pub on the list is described as having "warmth, personality and the feeling that a place really means it".
Mr Hancock, who featured The Sun Inn for The i Paper, said Dedham is "one of those villages that looks almost too good to be true".
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He hailed The Sun Inn a "proper old coaching inn" and recommends following Stour Valley Way to Flatford Mill, famously depicted in John Constable’s painting The Hay Wain, or hiring a boat and drifting along the river.
The "pub expert" also praised the food, saying: "The food has a Mediterranean looseness that suits the place perfectly."
The inn, located close to St Mary’s Church Tower, was listed in last year’s Good Food Guide as one of the UK’s 100 best pubs.
It is also known for its annual beer festival and was visited by King Charles III earlier this year.
Landlord Piers Baker has run the pub since 2003.
He took it over when it was in a "run-down" state, but has since transformed it into a popular destination for visitors and locals alike.
The Sun Inn also offers seven individually decorated rooms for overnight stays.
Its reputation has attracted high-profile patrons over the years, including musician Sting and former footballer Frank Lampard.
