Pub · Rooms
The Bell Hotel
Timber-framed 16th-century coaching inn on Market Hill. Proper Sunday roasts and a snug bar for a post-round pint.
A local guide from Clare Park Lake
Make a day of it in Clare.
The golf course is part of the town, not separate from it. Here's what we recommend before or after your round — the pubs, walks and quiet corners we love.
About Clare
One of Suffolk's prettiest market towns.
Clare sits on the river Stour in south-west Suffolk, halfway between Sudbury and Haverhill. It's small, walkable and full of history — a Norman castle, a medieval wool church, timber-framed houses along Market Hill, and enough good pubs and antique shops to fill an afternoon. Everything mentioned below is within a short walk or a five-minute drive of the first tee.
Pubs, cafés and long lunches
Eat & drink
Pub · Riverside
The Swan Inn
Classic Suffolk pub a short walk from the course. Ales from local breweries and a sun-trap beer garden.
Café · Coffee
Small Town Cafe
Friendly independent café on the high street — proper coffee, light bites and homemade cakes to fuel a round or wind down after one.
Café · Country Park
Platform One
An atmospheric café in the old 1865 station bookings hall, inside Clare Castle Country Park. Homemade cakes, famous Eccles cakes and light lunches — log burner indoors, platform seating and dogs welcome.
Café · Breakfast
The Trading Post
A quirky little café on Market Hill famous for its Full English breakfasts, good cups of tea, mismatched crockery and a browsable collection of memorabilia. Dogs welcome.
Tea room · Cakes
No 5 Tea Room
Traditional tea room with a lovely cake counter — proper loose-leaf tea and a warm welcome. Perfect with a slice after nine holes.
Eatery · Cocktails
The Clumsy Cock
The Cock Inn reborn — great food, craft cocktails and a big-city vibe on Callis Street. Sunday roasts, steak nights and dogs welcome.
Indian · BYO
The Mughal Knight
Award-nominated Bangladeshi and Indian cooking on the High Street, with a bring-your-own-alcohol policy and no corkage fee.
History, buildings and small museums
See
36 acres · Free
Clare Castle Country Park
The Norman castle motte and old railway station sit inside a beautiful country park — perfect for a stroll straight after golf.
Historic site
Clare Priory
One of the first Augustinian priories in England (founded 1248), with peaceful riverside gardens open to visitors.
Museum · Free-ish
Ancient House Museum
Extraordinary 15th-century pargeted house on the market square, now a small local history museum.
Wool church
St Peter & St Paul Church
Grand medieval church funded by the Suffolk wool trade — climb the tower on open days for the best view of Clare.
Brewery
The Nethergate Brewery Tap
Independent Suffolk brewer with a taproom close by. Handy for a tasting flight before heading home.
Walks, shops and slower afternoons
Do
Walking · Easy
River Stour Walks
Follow the Stour Valley Path out of town for gentle riverside walks in either direction. Boots optional in summer.
Antiques · Shopping
Clare Antiques & Interiors
One of the largest antique centres in East Anglia, tucked inside the old railway station. Easy to lose a happy hour here.
Market · Weekly
Saturday Market
Small friendly market on Market Hill — local produce, flowers and a proper cup of tea from the WI stall.
Cycling
Cycle the Stour Valley
Quiet country lanes north to Cavendish and Long Melford, or south towards Sudbury. Bike hire in nearby villages.
10 min drive · Gallery
Gainsborough's House, Sudbury
Birthplace and gallery of Thomas Gainsborough, recently expanded — a perfect rainy-afternoon plan B.
Independent shopping in town
Shops of interest
Lifestyle · Gifts
Living Well at Trinders
A new lifestyle shop on Malting Lane — candles, soaps, jewellery and treats handpicked by Claire to bring a little warmth and wellbeing to everyday life.
Bookshop
Harris & Harris Books
Independent bookshop on the High Street with a beautifully curated selection — the staff recommendations alone are worth the browse.
Homeware · Gifts
Potters Pink Home & Gifts
Vibrant, colourful homeware and gifts on Church Street from the former Honey Hill owners, with picture framing in-house.
Gifts · Workshops
Sisterlane
A curated space on Well Lane where gifts, creative workshops and local small brands come together under one roof.
Women's fashion
Hangers Boutique
Women's clothing and gift shop right on Market Hill — handy for a browse while the kettle boils at the Trading Post.
Eco · Pantry
The Pear
Eco-minded pantry staples and refill shopping on the High Street — bring a bag and stock up sensibly.
Butchers
JR Humphrey & Sons
Long-established family butcher on Market Hill. Proper local sausages — ideal for the BBQ after your round.
Pharmacy
Clare Pharmacy
The town's pharmacy on the High Street, with everyday essentials, gifts and a friendly counter.
Sewing · Curtains
Cloth Clare
Bespoke handmade curtains and blinds, alterations and sewing know-how from Kay on the High Street.
Clothing · Antiques · Kitchenalia
Jardin du Clements
French-country antiques, clothing and kitchenalia on Market Hill — a happy ten minutes of rummaging.
A perfect day out
Our recommended plan.
- 09:30Coffee at Small Town CafeSlow start on the high street.
- 10:30Nine holes at the lakeBook, check in, walk to the first tee.
- 13:00Lunch at The SwanSunday roast or a sandwich in the sun.
- 15:00Wander the Country ParkNorman castle, riverside, antiques.