THE SIX BELLS

A CASH ONLY PUB

Name: The Six Bells

Brewery: Free House

Address: Summer Road (Junction with The Street), Walsham-le-Willows, Bury St Edmunds IP31 3BD

Telephone no: Last known (01359) 259726

Website: None found

Email: None found

Date of Visit: 30 November 2025 (Approx: 1.05 pm) 

Details: The Six Bells is a Grade II listed, three-storey, semi-detached, brick building with a thatched roof. According to Camra, this is a "Former wool merchant's house at the very centre of this pretty village. A substantial, thatched 16th-century building that features heavily carved timbers in the bar. The six rooms & two bars offer a great variety. The use of open stud-work allows some rooms to be light & airy, while huge fireplaces & dark timbers create a cosy atmosphere. Pub games played. No Food".

It has a modest car park. There is also plenty of space at the side of the road (The Street).

To be honest, the pub is run down, and the buildings show signs of neglect. The main bar is dark (not well-lit), and the furnishings are basic. It is believed new owners may soon be taking it over, and let's hope that, despite the neglect, the pub's charms are retained. It is like walking into the past, and the pub has probably not changed much since the war. I used to call these "spit and sawdust" pubs, and there are so few of them left. The drinkers were almost all senior citizens, and it was lovely to hear the broad Suffolk accent. This is not the pub to bring your date; it is strictly a drinker's pub. I ordered a pint of Adnams Southwold Bitter and was delighted to be charged only £3.50. It was perfectly drawn.

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