ONE OF Suffolk's oldest and finest public houses has been shortlisted for the prestigious Pub of the Year award.

ONE OF Suffolk's oldest and finest public houses has been shortlisted for the prestigious Pub of the Year award.

It has always been a local gem, but now the King's Head Inn in Laxfield has been selected to represent Suffolk in the County Life Awards.

Five country pubs from Suffolk, Norfolk, Hampshire and Cumbria were shortlisted for the award which aims to encourage pubs to be more community focused.

The King's Head Inn, better known locally as the Low House, was selected for its traditional atmosphere and home-cooked food.

Landlord Bob Wilson, who has managed the pub for nearly three years with partner Linda Bower, said: “We're extremely pleased and proud to have been nominated for this award.

“We've won many nationwide awards over the years. This achievement will cheer everyone up, especially with winter just around the corner.”

Dating back to the 16th century, the King's Head Inn was also chosen for its unique tradition of serving beer straight from the casks of the tap room rather than from a bar.

Mr Wilson added: “People often use the word unique to describe the pub and that's exactly right. It as if time has stood still and everything has remained exactly how it should.”

The proud landlord later said that he put the nomination down to the mixture of “wholesome Suffolk food, good ales and the historic ambience of the pub.”

Mark Hedges, editor of Country Life, said: “The quality of entries for the Country Life Awards has been uplifting.

“It is a delight to be celebrating those who keep countryside culture alive.”

The authentic Suffolk pub has also been recommended by the Good Pub Guide and the Real Ale Pub Guide.

The County Life Awards celebrates the role of enterprising individuals and businesses in the countryside and the contributions they make to local communities.

Other categories include County Person of the Year, Rural Enterprise of the Year, County Garden of the Year and Country Campaigner of the Year.

Over 38 different pubs were nominated for the award by readers of Country Life. All winners will be announced in the 11 November issue of Country Life magazine.