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Restaurateur George Pell and the team behind The Suffolk in Aldeburgh will open The White Horse in Easton on Wednesday 27 May, bringing new life to the Grade II-listed pub in the heart of the Deben Valley through a sensitive refurbishment.
Set within the idyllic Suffolk countryside and looking over a quintessential village green, the freehouse is steeped in Tudor character, with origins tracing back to the 1600s. Now part of the Easton Park Estate, home to Easton Grange wedding venue and the Farmstead Lodges, the village’s only pub holds a rich history.
Pell opened his debut in the region, The Suffolk, in 2022. The restaurant with six boutique rooms overlooking Aldeburgh beach has since earned widespread acclaim, including praise from restaurant critic Jay Rayner, who described his experience as “a sweet celebration, perfectly executed”.
The same warm hospitality will prevail at The White Horse alongside a menu showcasing elevated takes on much-loved pub classics celebrating the East Coast. From freshly shucked Maldon oysters and potted smoked trout with pickled gooseberries to a ‘Bloody Mary’ prawn cocktail. Hearty plates include fish and chips with chip-shop curry sauce and house pickles; onglet with crispy onion rings and peppercorn sauce, and a twice-baked Suffolk Gold soufflé. A nod to The Suffolk appears in the form of its signature garlic snails – a firm favourite.
For lighter bites, the bar menu features a homemade sausage roll with piccalilli, Shedletsky’s frickles with honey mustard mayonnaise and The White Horse burger. A daily-changing sandwich, served at the bar, is one of many references to the classic old-school pub traditions of which Pell is so fond. On Sundays, a traditional roast will be served family-style, complete with all the trimmings.
Desserts continue the same comforting approach, with St Jude cheese and grilled figs with Suffolk honey, steamed ale sponge with Fen Farm custard, and a ‘Malteaston’ – a decadent malt bavarois featuring Pump Street chocolate. The family-friendly pub will welcome children of all ages, offering a dedicated menu of wholesome yet delicious dishes, including ‘DIY’ chicken tacos; spaghetti and homeade meatballs; and a classic fish finger sandwich with sweet potato fries.
The drinks offering will feature a wide selection of beers and local ales on tap, including Earl Soham Victoria Bitter, Greenjack Trawlerboys, Guinness and Timothy Taylor’s Landlord. Alongside this, a concise, accessible wine list balances classic favourites with more adventurous, off-piste selections, as well as a hand-written black book drawn from Pell’s cellar.
The interiors retain the building’s original charm, with exposed wooden beams, open fireplaces and leaded windows throughout. A series of intimate dining spaces flow into one another, creating a warm and welcoming atmosphere. Outside, guests can enjoy extensive outdoor dining areas, including benches overlooking the village green at the front of the pub, as well as a separate bar and covered canopy to the rear. Additional snug seating areas and a lawn for bowls complete the outdoor space.
Beyond the food and drink, The White Horse is designed to be a true community hub, with plans for weekly pub quizzes, a dart board, board games and relaxed social gatherings that bring locals and visitors together in the spirit of a classic pub.
Speaking about the opening, George Pell said: “From the outset, we wanted The White Horse to feel like a proper village pub at the heart of Easton life – a place for locals to call their own, but also somewhere worth making a journey for and lingering in. It’s a building with extraordinary history and real presence, and we’ve tried to tread lightly, keeping all of that character intact while bringing the same approach to food and hospitality that people know from The Suffolk. We’re genuinely delighted to be joining the Easton Park Estate community, and we can’t wait to open the doors next week.”