Deben Inns – Independent Pubs, Proudly Suffolk
Deben Inns is a family-run group of individual inns in Suffolk, each with its own character, history, and place in the local community. What connects them is a shared belief in doing things properly: honest food, well-kept drinks, and a genuine welcome for everyone who walks through the door.
The Butt & Oyster (Pin Mill): Famous for its historic maritime atmosphere. The Ship (Levington): A coastal retreat perfect for sailors and hikers. The Wilford Bridge (Melton): historic pub with cosy atmosphere The Coach & Horses (Melton): Traditional charm with a focus on great local ales. The Fox (Newbourne): traditional Suffolk country pub with beautiful walks The Swan (Westerfield): Contemporary dining just a stone’s throw from Ipswich. The Maybush (Waldringfield): a beautiful Riverside location serving seafood and pub fare The Kings Head (Woodbridge): A classic market-town pub with a vibrant local pulse.
How It All Began – Our Story
Our story started in 1992, when Mick and Ann Lomas took a leap of faith and bought The Wilford Bridge in Melton. There was no corporate plan and no rulebook—just a simple idea that a pub should feel like the heart of its community.
They believed a good pub should be warm and welcoming, somewhere people return to again and again. That belief worked, and one pub slowly became more.
Over the next 25+ years, Steve and Lou Lomas built on those foundations, carefully growing Deben Inns into a collection of eight much-loved Suffolk pubs and inns. Today, with their son Sam joining the business, a third generation is helping guide Deben Inns forward—bringing fresh ideas while staying true to the values that started it all.
Ours Pubs – Each One Worth a Visit
The Butt and Oyster
Pin MillThe Butt and Oyster
Famous for its historic maritime atmosphere and breath taking views over the river.
The Fox
NewbourneThe Fox
classic Suffolk pink country pub surrounded by beautiful walking trails
The Coach and Horses
MeltonThe Coach and Horses
Traditional charm meets locally brewed ales in this welcoming community hub.
The Kings head
WoodbridgeThe Kings head
A lively market-town pub with a strong local pulse and timeless appeal.
The Maybush
WaldringfieldThe Maybush
Riverside perfection, serving fresh seafood alongside traditional pub fare.The maybush
The Ship
LevingtonThe Ship
A coastal retreat ideal for sailors, walkers, and anyone looking to escape
The Swan
WesterfieldThe Swan
Contemporary dining just minutes from Ipswich, combining great food with a relaxed setting.
The Wilford Bridge
MeltonThe Wilford Bridge
A historic pub with a warm, cosy atmosphere perfect for relaxed evenings
Local, Because It Matters
Suffolk is our home. We grew up here, we live here, and many of our team do too.
That’s why we work closely with local farmers, fishermen, brewers, and producers, sourcing ingredients from as close to our pubs as possible. Supporting local suppliers isn’t a marketing exercise for us—it’s simply part of running pubs we’re proud of.
If it’s local and it’s good, you’ll find it on our menus.
Pubs with Personality
Every Deben Inn has its own story to tell.
Whether it’s the riverside views at The Maybush, the creaking floorboards and history of The Butt & Oyster, or a long, sunny afternoon in the garden at The Fox, each pub offers something unique—while delivering the same warm welcome.
Our Approach to Food
We trust our chefs. Rather than rolling out identical menus across our pubs, we give our kitchen teams the freedom to cook food that suits their pub, the season, and the best local ingredients available at the time.
That means menus that change naturally, dishes that feel thoughtful rather than forced, and food that reflects Suffolk’s coast and countryside—from comforting pub classics to more refined plates when the setting calls for it.
Not a Chain but a group of individual inns
We don’t think great pubs should all feel the same.
Deben Inns isn’t a chain in the traditional sense. Each of our pubs stands proudly on its own, shaped by its surroundings, its history, and the people who use it every day. What unites them is a commitment to quality, character, and genuine hospitality.
From coastal favourites to village locals, every Deben Inn is different—and we work hard to keep it that way.
Looking Ahead
As Deben Inns continues to grow, our focus remains the same:
to protect the individuality of each pub, support the people who run them, champion local producers, and keep creating places people love to return to.
Our Suppliers
Suffolk is our home. We grew up here, we live here, and many of our team do too. That’s why we source ingredients from local farmers, fishermen, brewers, and producers whenever we can. Supporting local suppliers isn’t a marketing exercise for us—it’s simply part of running pubs we’re proud of.
Here are just some of the fantastic local suppliers you’ll find on our menus:
Foskers – Fresh fruit and vegetables, grown locally and bursting with flavour. Rarebreeds Meat Company – High-quality, ethically reared meats. Stokes Sauces – Handmade sauces and condiments crafted in Suffolk. Gressingham Duck – Premium ducks, delivered fresh from nearby farms. Proctors Sausages – Traditional, locally made sausages packed with taste. Adnams – Locally brewed beers that capture the spirit of Suffolk. Aspall – Suffolk cider and vinegars, crafted with generations of expertise. Robert’s Ice Creams – Delicious, locally made ice creams that are a favourite with all ages. If it’s local and it’s good, you’ll find it on our tables. It’s not just what we serve—it’s who we are.
