The Bildeston Crown, a restaurant with rooms located just 10 minutes from Lavenham, won the Environmental & Sustainability Award, sponsored by EastWind Offshore Cluster, at the EADT Business Awards 2024.
The former coaching inn dates back to the 15th century and is managed by the family-owned Nedging Hall Estate, which also includes The Lindsey Rose, The Brewery Tap, Mauldons Brewery and Nedging Hall, located less than one mile away from The Crown. Seasonal produce grown in the Hall’s gardens is even used throughout The Crown’s menu – something the restaurant calls its ‘estate-to-plate’ concept.
George Bonwick, general manager at The Bildeston Crown, said: “We aim to grow as many of our own vegetables, fruits and herbs in our kitchen garden at Nedging Hall as possible. This inspires our talented chefs to create the best seasonal dishes in Suffolk.”
The concept has led to a lot of success for the restaurant, as more and more diners are looking to reduce their food miles. It also impressed the judges of the Environmental & Sustainability Award at the EADT Business Awards 2024.
“We want everyone to understand where their food comes from and are continually looking to expand the Nedging Hall Kitchen Garden,” said George. “What we can’t grow ourselves, we source ultra-locally.
“The seasonal menu is something we pride ourselves upon, giving each produce its own dish to shine within. While reducing waste, it also helps chefs challenge themselves by creating menus that take full advantage of the produce available at that time of year.”
Young and local aspiring chefs can also hone their skills at the Crown through its apprenticeship scheme.
The Nedging Hall Estate takes its sustainable ethos one step further by decorating tables with flowers from the ‘no dig’ flower farm at Nedging Hall, and serving beer from its own Mauldons Brewery, with barley grown on the family farm and the spent grains fed to the rare Suffolk Red Poll cattle from a local estate.
Charlie Buckle, Nedging Hall Estate’s managing director, explained: “Sustainability and our environmental impact is at the forefront of the Nedging Hall Estate mindset. From the gardening team at Nedging Hall to our kitchen team at The Bildeston Crown, every individual’s role is fundamental to achieving our vision.
“Our focus is to develop our green strategy to ensure we are sustainable and deliver high standards whilst working with the environment – not taking from it. We understand the importance of our surroundings and the foundations it provides us.”
In addition to the charming restaurant, The Bildeston Crown is also home to a characterful, dog-friendly bar and 12 indulgent bedrooms with cosy beds and en-suite bathrooms – ideal for travellers looking to explore the county.
“The countryside of Suffolk is something we feel incredibly proud of and want to look after for generations to come,” said George. “We are on a mission to preserve British hospitality and pubs.”
When asked about the impact of the Environmental & Sustainability Award win, George said: “The whole team has been given a real boost with the award, from the gardening team to our wonderful team of chefs. It’s incredible to be recognised for something that we love to be thinking about – it should be second nature for everyone. We’re a young team and passionate about what we do. This is a nod that we’re on the right path sustainability-wise.”
The team aims to continue advancing its green strategy and reducing its environmental impact moving forward, delivering a high-quality dining and hotel experience that doesn’t cost the earth.
“We’re keen to highlight our ‘estate-to-plate’ offering throughout the business more, as we know people are keen to find out where their food comes from,” said George. “We’d also like to host more tasting events focussed on ‘estate-to-plate’ and introduce tours of the Nedging Hall Kitchen Gardens.”
For more information on The Bildeston Crown, please visit thebildestoncrown.com
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