Crown Hotel, Framlingham

Mid 16th and late 17th century hotel with 19th century mock-Tudor front. When Trust House Forte took over the hotel in 1952 they carried out many changes including converting the coaching arch to the main entrance. To the left all that is left of the original Victorian public bar is the curved screen that surrounded it with colourful glass windows. The replacement Crown Bar situated on the far right was created in 1953 and the fielded panelled counter and possibly the bar back are those installed then. At the end the corridor to the rear of the bar there is what looks like an off-sales sliding hatch in a 1930s looking screen but is more likely to be where the staff ordered drinks from when responding to the service bells which are near the fireplaces in all the small public rooms. Look at the beam to the right of the coach arch area and you will see a row of the original service bells. Don't be fooled by the ancient looking clock by the bar door - it is a recent creation by a local craftsman.