Harden's says
Special midweek stay offer at The Great House Hotel: From £257 dinner, bed & breakfast for 2 people sharing a king-size room, staying 1 night, Tue-Thu. Email or call to secure a reservation (quoting 257).
Harden's survey result
Summary
“Celebrate in style” amid a partly fourteenth-century building flying the flag for “traditional silver service” at this acclaimed ancient inn, on the square of a gorgeous town. Reams of rapture for this “constant and consistent favourite, even after the change of ownership” from longtime incumbents the Crêpy family. “The newly established 'Experience' menu is very accomplished… I think their young chef (Swann Auffray) is hungry for a Michelin star” – and might get it, given how reporters were all “blown away” by his “exquisite French cooking” (and what remains “the best cheese trolley in the land!”).
Summary
After 32 years the Crêpy family were a tough act to follow at this “lovely” old (in parts 14th century) inn, on the square of a picturesque town: “a unique, quintessentially English building, whose other defining features are essentially French: this includes the staff, food, wine and especially the cheeseboard!”. “There’s very little to fault in its classic French cuisine”, and although the ratings awarded by its huge and dedicated fan club have slipped a fraction in the transition period, most reporters are optimistic: “since the Crêpys have retired the new owners have tried to keep the Great House just the same, and although it’s not 100% as good it’s getting there” is a sensible middle view. However you cut it, it’s “certainly one of the best East Anglian restaurants”.
Summary
After 32 years the Crêpy family were a tough act to follow at this “lovely” old (in parts 14th century) inn, on the square of a picturesque town: “a unique, quintessentially English building, whose other defining features are essentially French: this includes the staff, food, wine and especially the cheeseboard!”. “There’s very little to fault in its classic French cuisine”, and although the ratings awarded by its huge and dedicated fan club have slipped a fraction in the transition period, most reporters are optimistic: “since the Crêpys have retired the new owners have tried to keep the Great House just the same, and although it’s not 100% as good it’s getting there” is a sensible middle view. However you cut it, it’s “certainly one of the best East Anglian restaurants”.
Summary
“An old time favourite that’s recently changed hands with no obvious downside”: this “very special” landmark – “magically situated” in an old inn dating from the 14th century on “a beautiful town square” – was sold by the Crépy family this year after their 32 years at the helm, but “the staff have all stayed on” and “everything has continued seamlessly”. It delivers an “outstanding all-round” and “very French” experience, with “excellent classical French cooking plus a wine list to match” and “special mention going to the sublime cheese (selected from a large trolley with a superb variety of options)”.
For 31 years we've been curating reviews of the UK's most notable restaurant. In a typical year, diners submit over 50,000 reviews to create the most authoritative restaurant guide in the UK. Each year, the guide is re-written from scratch based on this survey (although for the 2021 edition, reviews are little changed from 2020 as no survey could run for that year).
Have you eaten at The Great House Hotel & Restaurant, Lavenham?
Restaurant details
The Great House Hotel & Restaurant, Lavenham Restaurant Diner Reviews
"This place aims very high. Outstanding starter and dessert but main two course didn't deliver the flavours of the ingredients. Advice: calm down, make it simpler"
Prices
| Availability | 2 courses | 3 courses |  |
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|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lunch | £32.50 |  |
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| SundayLunch | £41.50 | |
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| Cost | Availability | Courses | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Menu1 | 61.00 | Dinner only | 6 |
| Drinks |
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|---|---|
| Wine per bottle | £26.50 |
| Filter Coffee | £3.50 |
| Extras |
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|---|---|
| Service | 12.50% |
Market Pl, Lavenham, CO10 9QZ
Opening hours
| Monday | CLOSED |
| Tuesday | CLOSED |
| Wednesday | 12 pm‑2:30 pm, 7 pm‑9:30 pm |
| Thursday | 12 pm‑2:30 pm, 7 pm‑9:30 pm |
| Friday | 12 pm‑2:30 pm, 7 pm‑9:30 pm |
| Saturday | 12 pm‑2:30 pm, 7 pm‑9:30 pm |
| Sunday | 12 pm‑2:30 pm |
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