Bungay Pub Day – The Chequers Inn

The fifth and final pub to visit on our day trip to Bungay was The Chequers Inn, located on Bridge Street, which has been trading in some form since the seventeenth century although the bulk of the current building is from the eighteenth century. We had visited earlier on in the day to find it closed, but that was because CAMRA’s Whatpub was a little more aspirational about the venue’s opening times than the pub itself. As an aside and sort of a fun fact that I’ve learned from CAMRA, apparently “some pubs displayed the sign to indicate that they would change money or acted as bankers in some way”.

The bar area feels modern and contemporary, with the welcome from the staff member being immediate and friendly. As can be seen from the blackboards, they have regular live music including from Lee Vasey. Julian said that he remembered the pub when it was something of a real ale destination pub, but CAMRA notes that it has been under new ownership since early 2022. Julian’s reminiscences seem accurate though, as the pub was listed in the 2001 Good Beer Guide when it had six real ales and an annual beer festival going on.

There were three real ales on, including two from the local Bull of the Woods brewery, the Rock Steady and the Satan’s Session. I couldn’t find the beer on Untappd, so I’ve gone with it likely being the Satanic Majesty which has the same ABV. It was well kept and at the appropriate temperature, a basic and inoffensive session bitter. I was pleased to see the beers from the local brewery, as I think I’m right in recollecting that it was only this pub that had any on.

This was a fine way to end our pub excursion, some different ales to try and a comfortable atmosphere. Some recent reviews say that food is offered occasionally, but there was nothing evident when we visited so it might just be for special occasions. It has something of a traditional feel to it, definitely worth popping in for anyone visiting Bungay.