We are just days away from taking a sip of a freshly pulled pint and finally catching up with friends - so which pubs are preparing to open their doors on April 12 and what do the beer gardens look like?

The next step of the Government's roadmap sees the hospitality industry reopen with outside dining and drinking after months of closures on Monday.

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Pubs and restaurants across Suffolk have been using their time in lockdown to prepare for the return of guests, installing tipis, marquees and other forms of shelter to keep customers dry.

Zoos, non-essential shops and gyms can also finally reopen - meaning you will be spoilt for choice of where to venture on April 12.

Here are just some of the restaurants and pubs which are preparing to reopen.

From Monday, April 12:

  • The Railway Inn Westerfield

Ipswich Star: The Railway Inn Westerfield has spent a lot of time and money renovating outside. It has a huge outside seating area with cover and heating, a large uncovered area with a great view, and has removed part of the roof and made a roof terrace for outside seating. It is opening with its new stone baked pizza for outside dining.The Railway Inn Westerfield has spent a lot of time and money renovating outside. It has a huge outside seating area with cover and heating, a large uncovered area with a great view, and has removed part of the roof and made a roof terrace for outside seating. It is opening with its new stone baked pizza for outside dining. (Image: The Railway Inn Westerfield)

  • The Butt & Oyster in Pin Mill
  • 16 Steakhouse, Tuddenham Road, Ipswich

Ipswich Star: 16 Steakhouse in Ipswich has had heaters installed to make its outside diners as comfortable as possible in its socially distanced outside dining area.16 Steakhouse in Ipswich has had heaters installed to make its outside diners as comfortable as possible in its socially distanced outside dining area. (Image: 16 Steakhouse)

  • The Red House pub, Stanningfield
  • The Lion Brasserie, East Bergholt

Ipswich Star: The outside dining spaces available at The Lion Brasserie in East Bergholt.The outside dining spaces available at The Lion Brasserie in East Bergholt. (Image: The Lion Brasserie)

  • The Maybush, Waldringfield
  • The Beerhouse, Bury St Edmunds
  • The Parrot, Aldringham
  • Swan Hotel, Southwold
  • The Ramsholt Arms, Woodbridge
  • Crown Inn, Snape
  • Golden Key, Snape

Ipswich Star: The Lion Brasserie in East Bergholt, which is preparing its outside dining space to welcome the return of diners on Monday.The Lion Brasserie in East Bergholt, which is preparing its outside dining space to welcome the return of diners on Monday. (Image: The Lion Brasserie)

  • Isaac's, Ipswich
  • The Fountain, Tuddenham
  • The Woolpack, Ipswich
  • The Steamboat Tavern, Ipswich
  • The Ferryboat Inn, Felixstowe
  • The Dolphin Inn, Thorpeness
  • Railway Tavern, Elmswell
  • The Brewers, Rattlesdon
  • Eel's Foot, Eastbridge
  • The Railway Tavern, Saxmundham
  • White Horse Inn, Westleton
  • The Greyhound, Ipswich
  • The Golden Hind, Ipswich

Ipswich Star: The Golden Hind's outdoor heated marquee is partially-opened on the sides, meaning it complies with Tier 2 guidelines Picture: The Golden HindThe Golden Hind's outdoor heated marquee is partially-opened on the sides, meaning it complies with Tier 2 guidelines Picture: The Golden Hind (Image: Archant)

  • Isaac's, Ipswich
  • The Woolpack, Ipswich

Ipswich Star: Drinkers raise their pints at The Woolpack in Ipswich Picture: Sonya DuncanDrinkers raise their pints at The Woolpack in Ipswich Picture: Sonya Duncan (Image: Archant 2020)

  • The Steamboat Tavern, Ipswich
  • Swan and Hedgehog, Ipswich
  • Punchbowl Community Inn, Battisford
  • The Dooley Inn, Felixstowe
  • The Six Bells, Preston St Mary
  • Half Moon, Walton
  • The Cock Horse Inn, Lavenham
  • Anchor Inn, Walberswick
  • Bell Inn, Walberswick
  • The White Horse Inn, Felixstowe
  • Castle Inn, Framlingham
  • The Freston Boot, Ipswich
  • The Halberd Inn, Ipswich
  • The Falcon, Ipswich
  • The Queen's Head, Bramfield
  • King's Head, Woodbridge
  • Harbour Inn, Southwold
  • Lord Nelson, Southwold
  • Randolph Reydon
  • Red Lion, Southwold
  • King's Head, Orford
  • Stonham Magpie
  • The Fat Cat, Ipswich
  • Cross Keys, Aldeburgh
  • Mill Inn, Aldeburgh
  • Battleburys, Hadleigh
  • Angel Hotel, Halesworth
  • Bell Inn, Middleton
  • White Hart, Halesworth
  • Queens Head, Blyford
  • Benhall Village Social Club
  • Royal George, Ipswich
  • Black Tiles, Martlesham
  • Cherry Tree, Woodbridge

    Ipswich Star: The Brook Inn at Washbrook opens on MondayThe Brook Inn at Washbrook opens on Monday (Image: Charlie Cahill)

  • The Old Mill House, Saxtead Green
  • The Manor Restaurant at The Belstead Brook Hotel
  • The Shannon, Bucklesham
  • The Shotley Rose
  • Brickmakers Arms, Ipswich
  • The Turks Head, Hasketon
  • The Duke, Ipswich
  • The Angel, Woodbridge
  • The Brook Inn, Washbrook

Ipswich Star: The Lion Brasserie in East Bergholt, which is preparing its outside dining space to welcome the return of diners on Monday.The Lion Brasserie in East Bergholt, which is preparing its outside dining space to welcome the return of diners on Monday. (Image: The Lion Brasserie)

Which pubs are opening later in the week?

Wednesday:

  • The Jolly Sailor in Orford is opening on Wednesday, April 14 for outside dining and drinks. It has a large beer garden and some shelter if the weather turns.
  • The Ufford Crown
  • The Crown, Snape
  • The Bell Inn, Kersey

Thursday:

  • The Duck in Campsea Ashe is opening on Thursday, April 15 with wood fired pizzas, BBQ & Sunday roasts from its outside kitchen.

Friday:

  • Lattice Barn Pub in Ipswich will be opening on Friday, April 16.
  • The Cadogan, Ingham will be opening on Friday, April 16. Its garden will then be open at weekends for drinks and meals.
  • The Crown, Hartest will be opening on Friday, April 16. It will serve drinks and pizza from its woodfired pizza oven. No booking required.
  • The Grill at Twenty5, Ipswich
  • Unruly Pig, Bromeswell

If you're reopening on April 12 and aren't in our list, email newsroom@archant.co.uk