Chelsworth is a beautifully preserved village deep in the Suffolk countryside with a lovely 14th century Inn, The Peacock, slap bang in the middle. It’s been getting rave reviews from many a restaurant critic, so Helena Lang checked in to find out what all the fuss was about.

Where is it?

Chelsworth is a tiny village with around 120 inhabitants almost halfway between the town of Sudbury and the city of Ipswich in Suffolk. The Peacock Inn sits snugly in the middle of the village overlooking the River Brett.

What’s the accommodation like?

The seven bedrooms are in both the outbuildings and the main inn. Our room was in the outbuildings, a few steps from the inn’s front door, and was clean, neat, fresh and modern with an en suite shower and loo, tea and coffee making facilities and a TV.

What did you eat and drink?

My starter is fast becoming Chef Sam Clover’s signature dish. It’s a beautifully made raviolo stuffed with wild mushrooms and an egg yolk, so that when you slice into it, the golden egg yolk spills out – it requires a lot of skill. This came with a cep vinaigrette, wilted spinach and mushroom sauce and was oozing umami flavour. Next came thick slices of tender Suffolk lamb saddle, plated up with green asparagus spears, a large square chunk of potato confit and cubes of celeriac. For dessert I ordered something new on the menu – macerated Essex strawberries, which were a fresh, fruity base for a woodruff panna cotta and a scoop of homemade strawberry ice-cream.

What is there to do?

Other than downing pints and cocktails in the bar or the pretty beer garden, you can while away an hour or two exploring the tiny village. There are gorgeous period houses to lust over, pretty gardens to admire and the River Brett to play poo-sticks on. Other than that… just relax.

Lasting memory

Sipping drinks in the cosy, traditional bar and chatting to the locals who were a friendly bunch, passionate about their village and this part of the county.

Sainsbury’s magazine insider tip

Whilst you’re in the area do visit Lavenham – one of the most history-packed villages in the region.