countryside dining at its finest
Welcome to
The Bull Freehouse
Our Suffolk-based pub has a daily changing menu showcasing the best in seasonal produce sourced from local and regional suppliers & farmers.
boutique accommodation
The
Pear Tree Inn Now Open
Stay in our brand new guesthouse and get a taste of village life right here in the heart of Suffolk.
Best friends Sam & Ben acquired The Bull Freehouse in October 2020 after hunting high and low for the perfect venue. In The Bull they have found it! Having worked together in the hospitality industry for the last seven years it was time to do things their own way.
Focusing on being a ’proper pub’ with excellent food & service, coupled with a creative wine list and not forgetting the on-site microbrewery. The Bull has been brought back to life after a comprehensive refurbishment, and is the centre of the local community as well as attracting diners from further afield to sample a carefully curated daily changing menu.
The new addition of The Pear Tree Inn came about in December 2022, with the purchase of a beautiful property located just thirty-five yards from the pub. The team have spent the last eight months renovating the truly stunning guesthouse, transforming the characterful 1760s farmer’s cottage into a contemporary countryside getaway.
countryside dining
“While the food is tremendous, and there are many other strings to the Bull’s bow, Ben is keen to stress that, above all, it’s a pub.”
“We don’t want to be pretentious,” he told our food editor. “We’re not a pub masquerading as a restaurant. If you want to come in for a pint and a packet of crisps or a Scotch egg, great. But if you want a bottle of Pomerol and a five-course tasting menu, we can do that too.”
Mark Heath
East Anglian Daily Times
“We don’t want to be pretentious,” he told our food editor. “We’re not a pub masquerading as a restaurant. If you want to come in for a pint and a packet of crisps or a Scotch egg, great. But if you want a bottle of Pomerol and a five-course tasting menu, we can do that too.”
Mark Heath
East Anglian Daily Times
Food for Thought
Our pub menu represents the best of what our local and regional suppliers offer. Our team shares a passion for sourcing fresh ingredients from farmers and suppliers we know locally in Suffolk (and further afield when quality dictates) to create an outstanding seasonal selection.
With three areas available to dine in, you can witness the team at work with an open pass into our intimate dining room, relax in the cosy bar area or opt for al fresco dining by the beautiful willow tree in our country-style garden.
FOOD & DRINK
Example Menu (changes made daily)
Apéritif
Spiced Aperol Spritz
In-house cinnamon infused Aperol, Prosecco, orange, rosemary topped with soda.
£11.00
To Start
Courgette Two Ways
Smoked courgette, pickled courgette, crispy quinoa, yeast sauce & microgreens.
£8.50
Coffee & Oak Smoked Beef Brisket
Coffee & oak smoked beef brisket, rocket, cornichons & caper salad, French’s mayo.
£8.00
The Bull's Tapas Slate to Share
The Bull’s Tapas slate to share with marinated olives, chorizo in sherry, padrón peppers, and a selection of cold cured meats.
£22.00
Cream of Corn Soup with Chilli Oil
Cream of corn soup, chilli oil, coriander & toasted in-house bloomer.
£7.50
Sardine Escabeche with Heritage Carrots
Sardine escabeche, heritage carrots, dill.
£8.50
Main Course
The Bull Burger
Homemade black sesame milk bun & beef patty, oak smoked Cheddar, bacon jam, beef steak tomato, baby gem lettuce & triple cooked chips (veggie/vegan options available).
£18.00
Today's Sandwich: Roast Sirloin of Beef
Today’s Sandwich: Roast Sirloin of beef, French’s mustard mayo, triple cooked chips & mixed leaves.
£13.00
Aubergine & Orzo Tagine Vegetarian
Aubergine & orzo tagine, toasted cashews, pickled courgette.
£18.00
Whole Roast Seabass
Whole roast Sea bass, Parlourde clams, fennel & courgette wild rice,
grilled courgette & herb oil.
grilled courgette & herb oil.
£22.00
12 Hour Braised Lamb Shoulder “Shepherd’s Pie”
12 hour braised lamb shoulder “shepherd’s pie”, peas, mint & beans, pearl onions, tenderstem, aubergine & black garlic purée.
£22.00
Baked Fillet of North Atlantic Coley
Baked fillet of North Atlantic coley, triple cooked chips, crushed peas & tartar.
£16.50
Roast Chicken Supréme
Roast chicken supréme, coconut dhal, curried pearl onions, tenderstem broccoli.
£21.00
Pudding
Locally Sourced Cheeses
Walsingham, Cornish Yarg & Suffolk Blue cheeses, artisan biscuits, Bull chutney & grapes.
£10.00
Local Pear Tarte Tatin
Local pear tarte tatin & pear sorbet.
£8.50
White Chocolate & Hazelnut Pave
White chocolate & hazelnut pave with mascerated blackberries & a blackberry purée.
£9.50
Dark Chocolate Ganache
Dark chocolate ganache, fresh strawberries, plum compote & white chocolate ice cream.
£9.50
Rougham Hall Squash Custard Tart
Rougham Hall squash custard tart, peaches & vanilla ice cream.
£8.50
Nibbles for The Table
Confit Duck Leg Doughnut with Szcheuan Sugar
Confit duck leg doughnut, Szcheuan sugar, cherry & pink peppercorn ketchup.
£6.00
Rosemary & Mixed Seed Brioche
Home-made rosemary & mixed seed brioche, black garlic & tarragon butter & rapeseed oil.
£5.00
Smoked Cheddar & Marmite Choux Bun
Oak-smoked Cheddar & marmite choux bun, Grana Padano.
£6.00
Sides
Summer Vegetable Salad & Lemon Dressing
Summer vegetables with a fresh lemon dressing
£4.50
Herb Crushed New Potatoes
Herb crushed new potatoes.
£4.50
Triple Cooked Chips
Triple cooked chips.
£4.25
Summer Greens
Summer Greens
£4.50
Fizz
Villa Sandi, Brut Rosato
Villa Sandi, Brut Rosato
£5.00/£29.00
Pure Prosecco, Spumante
Pure Prosecco, Spumante
£5.50/£29.00
Laurent Perrier Rosé
Laurent Perrier Rosé
£85.00
Bollinger, Special Cuveé
Bollinger, Special Cuveé
£68.00
Champagne, Pierre Mignon, Premier Cru
Champagne, Pierre Mignon, Premier Cru
£11.00 / £55.00
White Wine
White zinfandel, Compass Point, California, USA
White zinfandel, Compass Point, California, USA.
£4/£5/£7.50/£21
Chardonnay, Baroness Nadine. Rupert & Rothschild, SA
Chardonnay, Baroness Nadine. Rupert & Rothschild, SA
£47
Fiano, Coriole, Mclaren Vale, Australia
Fiano, Coriole, Mclaren Vale, Australia
£35
Sauvignon Blanc, Stoney Island, Marlborough, NZ
Sauvignon Blanc, Stoney Island, Marlborough, NZ
£5.50/£7/£9.50/£29 (limited availability)
Torrontes, El Abasto Mendoza, Argentina
Torrontes, El Abasto Mendoza, Argentina
£27
Sauvignon Blanc, Turi Vineyard, Chile
Sauvignon Blanc, Turi Vineyard, Chile
£4.50/£5.50/£7.50/£21
Puligny-Montrachet. Domaine Sylvain Bzikot Burgundy, France
Puligny-Montrachet. Domaine Sylvain Bzikot Burgundy, France
£69
Sancerre, La Vigne Blanche, Domaine Henri Bourgeois France
Sancerre, La Vigne Blanche, Domaine Henri Bourgeois France
£43
Chablis A.C., Colette Gros Burgundy, France
Chablis A.C., Colette Gros Burgundy, France
£40
Albariño, Abadia de San Campio, Bodega Terras Gauda Spain
Albariño, Abadia de San Campio, Bodega Terras Gauda Spain
£34.50
Fleur de Printemps, Domaine de la Rochette Loire, France
Fleur de Printemps, Domaine de la Rochette Loire, France
£32
Moulin de Gassac, Chardonnay/Viogner Languedoc, France
Moulin de Gassac, Chardonnay/Viogner Languedoc, France
£27
Picpoul de Pinet, Château de la Mirande France
Picpoul de Pinet, Château de la Mirande France
£4.50/£6/£8.50 £25
Vermentino Coquille de Mer Langedoc, France
Vermentino Coquille de Mer Langedoc, France
£4.50/£6/£8/£22
Pinot Grigio, Ca’Tesore, Veneto, Italy
Pinot Grigio, Ca’Tesore, Veneto, Italy
£4.50/£6/£7/£21
Red Wine
Pinot Noir, Framingham Marlborough, New Zealand
Pinot Noir, Framingham Marlborough, New Zealand
£36.50
Malbec, Aguaribay Mendoza, Argentina
Malbec, Aguaribay Mendoza, Argentina.
£33
Merlot, Nostros Gran Reserva, Chile
Merlot, Nostros Gran Reserva, Chile.
£31
Klippenkop, Pinotage SA
Klippenkop, Pinotage SA.
£5/£6.50/£9/£26
Rooks Lane, Shiraz, Australia
Rooks Lane, Shiraz, Australia.
£4.50/£5.50/£7.50/£24
Malbec/Shiraz, Las Manitos, Chile
Malbec/Shiraz, Las Manitos, Chile.
£4.50/£5/£7/£20
Télégramme, Châteauneuf-du-pape Rhône, France
Télégramme, Châteauneuf-du-pape Rhône, France.
£64
Chianti Classico, Chianti Classico Fonterutoli, Italy
Chianti Classico, Chianti Classico Fonterutoli, Italy.
£37
Château Corbin, St. Emilion Montagne, France
Château Corbin, St. Emilion Montagne, France.
£37
Sausto Monte Dall’Ora Valpolicella Ripasso, Italy
Sausto Monte Dall’Ora Valpolicella Ripasso, Italy.
£49
A Picca Etna Rosso D.O.C Sicily, Italy
A Picca Etna Rosso D.O.C Sicily, Italy.
£34
Vacqueyras, Domaine la Garrigue – Rhône, France
Vacqueyras, Domaine la Garrigue – Rhône, France.
£40
Ciconia Tinto, Alentejo Portugal
Ciconia Tinto, Alentejo Portugal.
£33
Domain Didier Desvignes, Fleurie, France
Domain Didier Desvignes, Fleurie, France.
£34
Rioja Crianza, Bodega Montesc, Spain
Rioja Crianza, Bodega Montesc, Spain.
£28
Château penin, 2014, Bordeaux, France
Château penin, 2014, Bordeaux, France
£5.50/£7/£9.5/£28
Cabernet Franc, Grande Cuvée, Les Argelières, Pays d’Oc France
Cabernet Franc, Grande Cuvée, Les Argelières, Pays d’Oc France
£5/6/£8.50/£25
Pinot Noir, Grande Cuvée, Les Argelières, Pays d’Oc France
Pinot Noir, Grande Cuvée, Les Argelières, Pays d’Oc France
£5/£6.50/£9/£26
Carignan, Xavier Roger Languedoc, France
Carignan, Xavier Roger Languedoc, France
£4/£5.50/£8/£23
Rose
MAGNUM Domaine La Navicelle, Côtes de provence, France
MAGNUM Domaine La Navicelle, Côtes de provence, France.
£78
Domaine La Navicelle, Côtes de Provence, France
Domaine La Navicelle, Côtes de Provence, France.
£5.50/£7.50/£11/£32
Château D’ollieres, Coteaux varois en Provence, France
Château D’ollieres, Coteaux varois en Provence, France.
£4.75/£6.50/£9.50/£28
Pudding Wine
MAGNUM Château des Annereaux, Lalande de Pomerol Bordeaux, France 2017
MAGNUM Château des Annereaux, Lalande de Pomerol Bordeaux, France 2017.
£135
Château Filhot, Sauternes, France 2010
Château Filhot, Sauternes, France 2010.
£43
Dr Loos, Riesling Icewine, Germany
Dr Loos, Riesling Icewine, Germany
£38
Monbazillac, Domaine de l'Ancienne Cure France
Monbazillac, Domaine de l’Ancienne Cure France.
£5.50/£23
Cellar Gems
Champagne Cuvée, Dom Perignon
Champagne Cuvée, Dom Perignon.
£190
Brunello di Montalcino, San Polino, Italy 2013
Brunello di Montalcino, San Polino, Italy 2013.
£125
Rosson, Amarone della Valpolicella, Italy 2012
Rosson, Amarone della Valpolicella, Italy 2012.
£78
Les Pagodes de Cos, Saint-Estephe, Bordeaux, France 2009
Les Pagodes de Cos, Saint-Estephe, Bordeaux, France 2009
£110
Gevrey-Chambertin, Vieilles Vignes, Domaine Herteszyn-Mazzini Burgundy, France 2013
Gevrey-Chambertin, Vieilles Vignes, Domaine Herteszyn-Mazzini Burgundy, France 2013.
£95
Blason de l'Evangile, Pomerol Bordeaux, France 2017
Blason de l’Evangile, Pomerol Bordeaux, France 2017.
£84
Rioja, Urbina Gran Reserva, Spain 2004
Rioja, Urbina Gran Reserva, Spain 2004
£63
Rioja, Reserva Especial Spain 2006
Rioja, Reserva Especial Spain 2006.
£48
Tasting Evening Menu
One for the foodies amongst you. We hold tasting evenings throughout the year, here’s an example of our fantastic ‘A Taste of Spring’ seven-course tasting menu held in April. Our tasting evenings showcase the best in local and seasonal produce, some from The Bull’s very own kitchen garden! We highly recommend booking in advance. Tasting menu £75.00, with an optional wine pairing £50.00.
Tasting Plate One
One for the foodies amongst you. We hold tasting evenings throughout the year, here’s an example of our fantastic ‘A Taste of Spring’ seven course tasting menu held in April. Our tasting evenings showcase the best in local and seasonal produce, some from The Bull’s very own kitchen garden! We highly recommend booking in advance.
Suffolk Golden Beetroot Terrine
Served with a goats curd parfait & red vein baby sorrel.
(Bacchus, Hawkswood, Thurston, Suffolk, 2021)
(Bacchus, Hawkswood, Thurston, Suffolk, 2021)
Tasting Plate Two
One for the foodies amongst you. We hold tasting evenings throughout the year, here’s an example of our fantastic ‘A Taste of Spring’ seven course tasting menu held in April. Our tasting evenings showcase the best in local and seasonal produce, some from The Bull’s very own kitchen garden! We highly recommend booking in advance.
Smoked Butter Local Wood Pigeon
Served with nettles, yarrow & goose grass from the kitchen garden and a Browston honey dressing.
(Pitchfork, Shiraz, Australia, 2019)
(Pitchfork, Shiraz, Australia, 2019)
Tasting Plate Three
One for the foodies amongst you. We hold tasting evenings throughout the year, here’s an example of our fantastic ‘A Taste of Spring’ seven course tasting menu held in April. Our tasting evenings showcase the best in local and seasonal produce, some from The Bull’s very own kitchen garden! We highly recommend booking in advance.
Watercress Gazpacho
Accompanied by a black sesame cracker and The Bull’s homemade sour cream.
(Gruner Veltliner, Alaun, Austria (organic), 2021)
(Gruner Veltliner, Alaun, Austria (organic), 2021)
Tasting Plate Four
One for the foodies amongst you. We hold tasting evenings throughout the year, here’s an example of our fantastic ‘A Taste of Spring’ seven course tasting menu held in April. Our tasting evenings showcase the best in local and seasonal produce, some from The Bull’s very own kitchen garden! We highly recommend booking in advance.
Cornish Hake
Served with an Ixworth blonde & ogleshield cheese rarebit, shaved fennel
(Pinot Noir, Framingham, Marlborough, NZ, 2019)
(Pinot Noir, Framingham, Marlborough, NZ, 2019)
Tasting Plate Five
One for the foodies amongst you. We hold tasting evenings throughout the year, here’s an example of our fantastic ‘A Taste of Spring’ seven course tasting menu held in April. Our tasting evenings showcase the best in local and seasonal produce, some from The Bull’s very own kitchen garden! We highly recommend booking in advance.
Holy Oak Farm Mutton Loin
12-hour braised crispy breast, pulled leg terrine croquette, artichoke purée, Rougham Hall garlic, Koffman’s hassleback
potatoes, roasted mutton jus.
(Rioja, Urbina, Reserva Especial, Italy, 2006)
(Rioja, Urbina, Reserva Especial, Italy, 2006)
Tasting Plate Six
One for the foodies amongst you. We hold tasting evenings throughout the year, here’s an example of our fantastic ‘A Taste of Spring’ seven course tasting menu held in April. Our tasting evenings showcase the best in local and seasonal produce, some from The Bull’s very own kitchen garden! We highly recommend booking in advance.
Kitchen Garden Rhubarb
With Angelica, white balsamic.
(Chateau Filhot, Sauternes, France, 2016)
(Chateau Filhot, Sauternes, France, 2016)
Tasting Plate Seven
One for the foodies amongst you. We hold tasting evenings throughout the year, here’s an example of our fantastic ‘A Taste of Spring’ seven course tasting menu held in April. Our tasting evenings showcase the best in local and seasonal produce, some from The Bull’s very own kitchen garden! We highly recommend booking in advance.
Tosier Ghanain Chocolate Marquise
With Little Chare Farm vanilla yoghurt and damson blossom from the kitchen garden.
(Malmado, Fortified Malbec, Mendoza, Argentina, NV)
(Malmado, Fortified Malbec, Mendoza, Argentina, NV)
A Getaway to Remember
A Culinary Experience
Dine by The Willow Tree
What’s Happening
“This really is a great village pub. We haven’t been in one like this for a very long time and this will be very hard to top. Great decor and lovely garden to relax.”
Neil & Di, 2022, via Tripadvisor
“We made a spontaneous booking for Sunday lunch yesterday. So very glad we did. Welcoming hosts, wonderful food and great surroundings… Thank you again. Fabulous.”
Jill and John., 2023 via Google Reviews
“We visited for my husband’s birthday and will certainly return. All food was beautifully prepared, and it was a great atmosphere and excellent service. Can’t fault it – long may it continue just as it is!”
Julie R., 2023 via Tripadvisor
“Cannot recommend enough! Sam & Ben have done the most amazing job here. Food is outstanding, using home grown ingredients and innovative cooking. The decor and atmosphere is bang on for a small country pub and the service is attentive yet friendly. We had a fantastic Sunday lunch and would definitely come back. If you’ve not been you’re missing out on something special! Thank you to all the team x”
Chloe C, 2022, via Tripadvisor
In the Press
PUB OPEN
Wednesday – Saturday
12pm – 11pm
Sunday
12pm – 8pm
12pm – 11pm
Sunday
12pm – 8pm
THE PERFECT GARDEN SPOT
OUR KITCHEN GARDEN
Fresh ingredients from ground to table
Find Us
whereThe Street, Troston, Bury Saint Edmunds, IP31 1EW, United Kingdom
whenMonday – Tuesday 12 – 10pm
Wednesday – Saturday 12 – 11pm
Kitchen open: 12 – 2:30pm & 6 – 9pm
Sunday 12 – 8pm
Kitchen open: 12 – 5.30pm