No.31 - The Golden Key, Snape, Suffolk

Sunday 19th September, 2010
Today's plan had been for the NCT crowd to descend on The Golden Key but, due to a potential chicken pox outbreak, it didn't quite work out like that. So, after a few phone calls and texts, it was just myself and me 2 ladies venturing up the A12 to Snape.
We arrived at 2pm just as the Sunday lunch rush was finishing and we found a nice spot in the aptly named 'Bullshit Corner'. Oh how I could do with a few signs like that for work!

Although there weren't many people at the bar drinking, all the dining tables were taken which should come as no surprise as this pub has been voted"County Dining pub of the year 2010" and appears in all the Good food guides for 2010. Clare was quickly into the menu and had soon picked out what she was going to eat - next time we come here! I however had already made it to the bar and was ordering us up a pint and a half of Explorer. Broadside, Bitter and Spindrift were also available, along with some bottled Lighthouse straight from the fridge.
The Golden Key has been a 'beer house' since the 1600's. Like most of Suffolk's rural houses at the time, it was owned by the Lord of the Manor, until it gradually moved from Tenant to Tenant eventually falling into the hands of Ernest Adnams. Nick Attfield , who became chef and proprietor in 2006 was actually sitting in the bar while we were there. No, we didn't go and say hello!
Just inside the back entrance to the pub is a small shop area which sells locally made produce. Sheepskins, woollen blankets, scarves and a few local paintings and postcards were all available to purchase, but on this occasion I just stuck to me beer - which was a very nice pint by the way.
We moved out to the front of the pub for a bit as there was an enclosed area which meant Florence could charge about, however, she was far more interested in the milk buttons that mummy had produced from her bag. Even a couple of tractors which roared passed, carrying thousands of onions, only raised a bit of interest. The buttons won the day.

A return visit to the pub is definitely on the cards for both of us, as we're very keen to try out the award winning menu. Me thinks it might well be an evening visit, sat in front of the huge open fire, with the little lady all tucked up at home with Nanny looking after her !