Under new management since August 2022. 3 Cask Ales changing most months. Renovation is ongoing and the carpark has been replaced with the beginnings of a beer garden. No juke box or fruit machines, just a traditional country pub with a real fire, sofas, board games and in the back a pool table (pool free with your drink on Tuesdays, pool team practice on Sundays). There is also a dartboard and TV but they are also in the back.
Hot food is served everyday. The pub offers gaming areas and various seating areas including an outside patio. There's often live music at weekends.
Although the building has been a pub "only" since about 1689, it was standing for some time before that; historians believe that Thomas Wolsey was born here or close to here in approximately 1473. It is believed to be the oldest pub of this name in East Anglia.
Historic Interest
A report in the Ipswich Journal*** in Apr 1820 states that : Wednesday died in St Peter's, in Ipswich, Mrs Dale, wife of Mr Dale, carpenter, formerly of the Black Horse, in St Mary Elms, in Ipswich. A report in Ipswich Journal**** dated 21 Nov 1827 announced that the Acton, Halliday & Studd brewery Ipswich will be auctioned on 20th June 1828 together with the Ipswich Black Horse public house. Pub may also be listed at Gaol la in 1830 & at 23 Black Horse Lane (in 1891 + 1916) This premises was listed in the 1844 White's Suffolk Trades Directory with a carrier operating from the inn. Originally a 16th cent. merchants house. Must have converted to a pub after 1689 when only two licensed premises are recorded in St Mathews parish - White Lion (now Golden Lion) & Crown. A Tudor doorway remains within remaining building with Jacobean workmanship. The pub also enjoyed a good reputation for the quality of its beers due in part to the perfectly balanced temperature of the cellar. The Old Ale was said to be particularly excellent. Throughout 19th cent. it was a popular mid-morning venue for doctors, lawyers & tradesmen. Photographs of this pub and more historical information about it can be found at suffolk.camra.org.uk/pub/436
This Pub serves 3 changing beers and 0 regular beers.
Black Horse, Ipswich