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Oyster Reach, Wherstead

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Operator: Beefeater (Whitbread)
Bourne Hill, Wherstead, IP2 8ND (View on Google Map)
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This is a restaurant, where drinking alcohol, including draught and bottled beer, is only allowed when food is being consumed.

The small pub area is these days dwarfed by the steak-grill and motel. This helped to transform the business and today the remaining bar area is more popular with diners. In 2017 all "Oyster Reach" signage was removed and the whole operation apparently re-branded "Beefeater" (though according to its website, it's still the Oyster Reach), though it still retains the bar with two hand-pumps.

For a long while this was a popular, small, late drinking venue just outside Ipswich town borough (when Ipswich pubs still closed at 10.30pm).

The Oyster Reach name only dates from 1995, as a reference to the historic oyster beds on that part of the Orwell.

Historic Interest

A report in the Ipswich Journal*** in Dec 1820 states that : "Sunday last was married, at St. Mary Tower Church, Mr Sewell, of the Ostrich Inn, Wherstead, to Miss Sarah Howard, daughter of Mr Howard, of Middleton." Enos Baxteris also listed as a brewer in Wherstead in 1865 & 1874, so presumably brewed at the pub. A paperback book published in 1969, called "Inns of the Suffolk Coast" by Leonard P Thompson** contains the following extract: The Ostrich Inn, Wherstead Herbert Westgate announced on 15th September, 1905 that he was giving up the Lock Tavern & he moved to The Ostrich on 29th September, 1905 staying until 24th September 1908. An advertisement in the Ipswich Journal for 14th April, 1750 shows Thomas Tunmer, at the Ostrich at Bone-Bridge nr Ipswich Begs leave to acquaint those gentlemen, Ladies & others, that are so good as to favour him with their Company, that he intends at all Times to have some or all of the following Entertainments, in their proper Seasons, viz Pidgeon Pyes, Cold Tongues, Potted Beef, Asparagus, Green Pease, Artichokes, Tarts, Cheese Cakes, Plumb Tarts etc etc N.B. My Cherry Ground will be in Perfection this Season. William Harris Bullard had taken over the Ostrich on 21st January, 1887 (prior to Herbert Westgate). Previously Samuel King held the licence from 8th December, 1881 & he was preceded by Enos Page Baxter. Mr Badger is still the landlord in 1969. The oldest part of the pub (adjacent to Bourne Hill) dates from the 1612, though it has been much altered & added to (according to Alfred Hedges' book, "Inns & Inn Signs of Norfolk & Suffolk"). Photographs of this pub and more historical information about it can be found at suffolk.camra.org.uk/pub/1010

Information for this venue is provided by the Ipswich & East Suffolk Branch of CAMRA
Previous Names
Ostrich
Local Authority
Babergh District
Last updated
15/03/2023
Last surveyed
06/09/2021
Pub ID
SUF/1010
Asset of Community Value
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Opening
Monday
11:30am - 11:00pm
Tuesday
11:30am - 11:00pm
Wednesday
11:30am - 11:00pm
Thursday
11:30am - 11:00pm
Friday
11:30am - 11:00pm
Saturday
11:30am - 11:00pm
Sunday
Noon - 10:30pm
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Oyster Reach, Wherstead

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Facilities
Lunchtime Meals Lunchtime Meals
Evening Meals Evening Meals
Garden Garden
Disabled Access Disabled Access
Parking Parking
Restaurant Restaurant
Separate Bar Separate Bar
Features
Real Ale Real Ale
Transport
Closest station (1960m)
Ipswich
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