A Quick Guide
Local Pubs.
Right then where shall we start? Lets start at the very beginning, a very good place to start methinks. All the pubs I am going to talk about, are all different. What a statement. By that I mean they all fall into various types of pub, but all fall under a different type, with each unique in its own way, they are shall we say diverse from one another. They all offer a different atmosphere to the visitor of Shotley as well as the resident.
The first one strictly speaking should not appear here as it is not in Shotley or Shotley Gate. However to the visitor entering Shotley from Ipswich, it is the first pub sign that will be seen! For this reason I feel it is worthy of a mention. The pub in question is The Queens Head at Erwarton, a small village a couple of country miles outside Shotley. Here we have the country pub. Selling the obligatory fine wines and ales and also very good food, and I must add in very nice surroundings to. I suppose it could also be described as a little bit Olde Worlde. This pub has also received a very good write up in the East Anglian Daily Times newspaper both for its food and its friendly staff.
So moving back into Shotley towards Shotley Gate, next we come to the The Rose. The Rose, now this is more of a local, nothing pretentious about this one at all. This is where the football is, also one can find the Bowls Club here as well, and a decent pint. But I think football is its real claim to fame. The landlord is an Ipswich Town fan, anybody whom watches Ipswich Town play anywhere, I mean anywhere, both at home or abroad will be familiar with the Shotley Rose Union Jack. It is an institution, so much so that I've even seen it on an Ipswich Town mug! Ipswich can always be sure of a good following from here. And why not.
Off we go again, still moving towards Shotley Gate, then arriving at the water front we find The Bristol Arms. This pub probably for a great many people needs no introduction at all. It's a favourite for the day trippers as well as the local, especially during the summer. With fine views up the Stour towards Wrabness and across the river to Parkeston (In that Essex place as opposed to Parkstone in that Dorset place). Selling a good range of food, beers and wines. Also not to be missed is and worthy of a perusal is the Aladdin's cave of drinks and sweets on special offer. But for me sitting outside on a warm summers evening with the sun setting over Wrabness, drinking a pint of my favourite ale, now that takes some beating.
Now if one can drag ones self away from that, follow the road beside the river until one arrives at Shotley Marina. Here we will find The Shipwreck. More modern than the other pubs mentioned and purpose built, but don't let that put you off. Good atmosphere, also selling a fine range of food, beers and wines, the beers are particularly good, with a selection of real ales usually on offer. Interesting views here across the Orwell towards the Port of Felixstowe, and of course there is also the river traffic. If you are interested in boats then you will enjoy it even more.
That's the Pubs dealt with, only four I know, but each worthy of a visit. So does one need any more? I think not. I'm happy with them.