Your Pub

Sometimes life leads you to a place that feels as though it has been quietly waiting for you.

That is exactly how we felt the first time we discovered this beautiful village and stood outside this wonderful old pub. Surrounded by the peaceful Suffolk countryside, with its welcoming garden and timeless charm, we knew we had found something truly special. We didn’t simply see a building; we saw laughter in the garden on a summer’s evening, friends gathering over a pint, families celebrating milestones and neighbours sharing stories that would become cherished memories.

We fell in love with The Three Ways from the very first moment.

As we began learning about its remarkable history, our admiration only grew. When this inn first opened its doors in 1643, it was known as The Three Tuns. In those days, many people could not read, so inns displayed painted signs rather than written names. A picture of three wooden tuns, large barrels used to store ale, allowed travellers to recognise the inn from a distance. Those iconic signs became landmarks in their own right and remain an important part of England’s rich pub heritage.

Over the centuries, the pub evolved with the times. Its name became The Three Tubs, and in more recent years it became known as The Three Ways. Each name forms part of its long and fascinating story.

During the process of purchasing the pub, we had the privilege of meeting many local residents. Time and again, we heard the same heartfelt wish: that one day the pub might once again proudly bear its original name, The Three Tuns. Listening to those conversations reminded us that this pub means so much more than bricks and mortar. It is part of Cowlinge’s identity, woven into the lives of generations.

We don’t see ourselves as owners.
We see ourselves as custodians.

Custodians of a building that has welcomed people for nearly four centuries, and custodians of a place that belongs at the heart of this wonderful village. Our role is simply to care for it, preserve it, and help it flourish for future generations.

Our hope is that this pub once again becomes the place where the community comes together.

Whether you’re hosting a group meeting, enjoying a Women’s Institute coffee morning, gathering for a Book Club discussion, celebrating a birthday, marking a special family occasion, or saying goodbye to a loved one with dignity and compassion, our doors will always be open. We want this to be a place where life’s happiest moments are celebrated and where comfort is found during its most difficult times.

Most of all, we hope it becomes your pub.

A place where familiar faces become friends, where visitors receive a warm welcome, where children grow up remembering afternoons in the garden, and where stories continue to be written for generations to come.

We hope you share our love for this special place, we ask that you’ll join us on the next chapter of its journey.

Come and share a drink, enjoy a meal, bring your family, meet your neighbours, play a game of pool, celebrate with us, and help keep this remarkable piece of Cowlinge’s history alive.

Together, we can ensure that this beautiful inn continues to stand proudly at the heart of the village providing the village with a social hub for many generations to come.