A Suffolk restaurant with rooms has styled its newly refurbished bedrooms in recognition of well-known local landmarks.A Suffolk restaurant with rooms has styled its newly refurbished bedrooms in recognition of well-known local landmarks.

The Crown and Castle in Orford, has revamped all seven bedrooms spread across the entire first floor of its main building. Individually styled with great attention to detail, each new room features bold accent colours and decorations, which reflect and acknowledge the local area's heritage.
Deluxe roomsThe largest, deluxe sea view 'Lighthouse' room has been brightly revamped in red and white to mimic Orford's once prevalent lighthouse, which was visible through the bay window prior to its decommissioning in 2013, and demolition in 2020. Red accents include the radiators and even the kettle, as well as two comfy armchairs by the bay window positioned to take in the wide views of the estuary and Suffolk coast. Adding a touch of nostalgia, a small lighthouse lamp sits on a table between the two chairs to commemorate the former landmark.

With views towards Orford village including the magnificent St Bartholomew's Church, the accent colour in the second deluxe room is an attractive fuchsia pink teamed with grey. The grey chesterfield-style two-seater sofa and its large footstool are complemented by pink cushions, two have an attractive bee motif, which is replicated on the window blinds. Other fuchsia points include the bed headboard and radiator. This room has a wide walkway leading to the bathroom, which now acts as a dressing area with a new fuchsia coloured built-in wardrobe and Hollywood style vanity mirror with three different light settings. Even the bathroom has been restyled with a newly fitted bath alongside the window, complimenting the existing walk-in shower. 

Superior seaview rooms

Three superior sea view rooms run across the back of The Crown and Castle. 'Florence', features coastal colours of teal contrasted with a neutral cream, while the bright and airy 'Watchtower' room, which has a small view of the Orford Castle keep from its bathroom, features brick tiles to resemble an old building. 

The 'Ness' has been styled using a bright floral fabric acknowledging the wild flowers growing freely on the Orford Ness coastal nature reserve (National Trust), a short ferry trip across the estuary. Cream accents include the radiator, prominent against a sage and silver patterned feature wall, cream lamp and parquet dressing table. Guests booking this room are also treated to sea views while soaking in the bath tub. 

Standard double rooms

With a nod to the past, the two standard double rooms take their names from buildings dating back to when Orford Ness was an atomic weapons research site. Themed in purple, black and grey, 'Black Beacon' is so called after the unusual rotating black navigation beacon, while 'Pagoda' takes its name from the abandoned explosion testing labs, which can still be seen today. In contrast with the past, the 'Pagoda' room has been styled in bright yellow accents, which include the radiator, headboard and chair and even a yellow framed TV. Teamed with floral cushions and blinds, the décor reflects how the area as a whole has been reinvigorated into one where nature flourishes.

About The Crown and Castle

A few steps from Henry II's 12th century castle keep in the peaceful Suffolk village of Orford, The Crown and Castle is a highly rated restaurant with just 21 delightful rooms. Expect oak beams, stylish décor and interesting artwork adorning the walls. There's a traditional bar with an open fire, which can be found burning in the cooler months, also a large terrace for alfresco dining and drinking on warmer days within sight of the keep. 

Good quality, unpretentious food is at the heart of what The Crown and Castle offers in its lively restaurant with delicious dishes created by the Head Chef, Jake Lawrence and his team. The creative British menu features a wealth of quality Suffolk produce including Orford landed seafood and locally reared meats, plus classic favourites like home battered fish and chips and beef, pork and chicken roasts for Sunday lunch. 

Dogs are welcome to stay with their owners in one of the five dog-friendly garden rooms, they are also welcome on the terrace, in the bar and to sit alongside their owners at a bookable dog-friendly table in the restaurant. 

There has been a hostelry on the site of The Crown and Castle for eight centuries. The original inn was, apparently, built into the walls of the 12th century Orford Castle but is now separated from it by a little lane. The octagonal tower keep is very much intact and has survived on account of its value to sailors; back in the 19th century when navigation was a hit-and-miss affair, it provided a landmark by which they could orientate themselves. It was built by Henry II between 1165 and 1173 to consolidate royal power in the region, previously dominated by the dissenting Bigod family. Ascending the five floors to the Keep's roof earns you spectacular views over the otherworldly landscape of Orford Ness – part nature reserve, part atomic weapons research site. For opening times check www.english-heritage.org.uk. 

The restaurant with rooms offers electric bikes for hire allowing guests to explore the area on two wheels; they also have a selection of suggested walks and boat trips to the Orford Ness nature reserve running from spring to autumn. Venture a little further and spend time exploring the galleries, shops and artist workshops at Snape Maltings or the renowned Sutton Hoo Anglo-Saxon ship burial site, near Woodbridge.

Prices start from around £170 B&B per night for two sharing; dogs charged extra.

For press enquiries and images, or to visit the hotel please contact:

Pat Edgar, PR Matters Tel: 01494 764408 / 07836 786043

Email:  PRMatters@talktalk.net