Business Details
Your Stay at The Cricketers - Historic Pub & Hotel in Clavering
Established in the 16th century, The Cricketers has been a cornerstone of Clavering's rural community for generations. Our historic pub combines timeless charm with modern comforts, offering a meticulously refurbished space that celebrates the original architecture through exposed brickwork, wooden beams, and contemporary design elements. The dedicated team, many of whom have served here for years, ensures every guest experiences genuine hospitality rooted in local traditions. Nestled in North West Essex, we provide a gateway to explore the region's scenic landscapes, historic sites, and cultural attractions. Our 22 individually designed bedrooms, ranging from cosy Good Rooms to luxurious Willow Suites, blend boutique style with practical amenities for a restful stay.The kitchen team crafts seasonal menus using daily-sourced ingredients, including fresh fish, locally grown produce, and artisanal bread baked on-site. We pioneered a dog-friendly environment with specially adapted rooms and a dedicated Muddy Paws package, ensuring both guests and their pets feel welcome. The pub's strategic location near Saffron Walden, Cambridge, and Audley End House makes it an ideal base for leisure and business visitors alike. Our commitment to quality extends to partnerships with local suppliers and a curated wine list featuring rare vintages. Whether visiting for a meal, overnight stay, or special event, guests benefit from our deep-rooted knowledge of the area and dedication to creating memorable experiences.
Services
Accommodation
Fine Dining
Dog-Friendly Stay
Event Hosting
Seasonal Menus
Highlights and features
- We offer 16th-century heritage combined with modern hospitality expertise
- Our kitchen team uses daily-sourced local ingredients and artisanal methods
- Dedicated dog-friendly rooms and Muddy Paws package available
- Strategic location between Saffron Walden, Cambridge, and Duxford attractions
- Award-winning breakfasts and curated wine selection from our Black Book
What people say
Exceptional breakfasts
Welcoming staff
Pet-friendly policy
Scenic location
Seasonal menus
Services
Accommodation
Our 22 refurbished bedrooms offer boutique-style accommodation with modern amenities including free WiFi, Connock England toiletries, and flat-screen TVs. The Willow Suites feature private terraces overlooking Essex countryside while Courtyard Rooms provide pet-friendly options. All guests enjoy award-winning breakfasts and easy access to local attractions like Audley End House and Cambridge University.
Fine Dining
Seasonal menus showcase locally sourced ingredients with daily specials and Sunday roasts. The kitchen prepares fresh pasta using traditional Italian methods while the bar offers curated wines from small producers. Special dietary requirements are accommodated with advance notice. Breakfast service includes a loyalty member benefit of complimentary Bloody Marys.
Dog-Friendly Stay
We provide dedicated dog-friendly rooms with special amenities including pet beds, water bowls, and walking route maps. The Muddy Paws package includes a dog menu, treats, and a welcome gift. Pets are allowed in all pub areas with a 25 per stay charge. Staff offer local knowledge of pet-friendly walking trails and attractions.
Event Hosting
The pub accommodates private dining events, celebration of life ceremonies, and corporate functions. Special packages include Christmas parties, murder mystery suppers, and New Year's Eve celebrations. The venue combines historic charm with modern facilities including audio-visual equipment and seasonal themed decorations.
Seasonal Menus
Menus change with the harvest cycle, featuring spring vegetables, summer salads, autumn game, and winter roasts. The Christmas menu includes three-course festive options while summer offers lighter dishes. Daily specials reflect ingredient availability, with the head chef's expertise ensuring consistent quality across breakfast, lunch, and dinner services.
Questions
What time is check-in and check-out?
Check-in is available from 3pm with latest arrival at 10pm. Check-out time is 11am.
Are dogs allowed in all rooms?
We have designated pet-friendly rooms at an additional £25 charge per stay.
Does breakfast cost extra?
Breakfast is included when booking directly through our website but may vary with third-party bookings.
Can I pay by card?
We accept major credit and debit cards for accommodation and dining purchases.
Is WiFi available?
Free high-speed WiFi is available throughout the pub and guest rooms.
Do you host weddings?
We specialise in intimate celebration of life events but do not offer full wedding packages.
Reviews (6)
Marina Crawford
Jun 02, 2022
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We decided to visit the cricketers for my birthday as we had not been for a while, since it has been brought over we are very disappointed in the food. All menus online have a wide choice but on the night we only had a few choices. It also states that all food is cooked fresh in house that morning, this is not true as we had bread on the table and it was all still frozen. They put more in the oven and it came out dry and hard.
The food was average. The steak was over cooked and very fatty. We decided not to say anything as we did not want the hassle. The desert ordered were all mixed up and not nice either. Real let down in our opinion. For the amount we were charged it was a complete rip off. This would never have happened when the Oliver's owed the restaurant.
The food was average. The steak was over cooked and very fatty. We decided not to say anything as we did not want the hassle. The desert ordered were all mixed up and not nice either. Real let down in our opinion. For the amount we were charged it was a complete rip off. This would never have happened when the Oliver's owed the restaurant.
Julie Francis
May 13, 2022
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Nice pub in a quiet village. Good decor and friendly helpful staff. Food was average and lots missing off the menu which was disappointing. Also maybe a fly light might be needed as there were quite a few flying around our food.
Jermaine N.
May 06, 2022
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Nice pub well out of the city. Really nice roads around for a scenic drive to get there. The actual place is unique. The ceiling in the pub was so low I had to bend down. I only has something small but others I was with were happy. Be careful of portions. The lamb meal was massive. The fish meal that comes on an oyster shell was super small for an adult male. Staff were friendly. I'd go again and try something bigger.
Debbie Wilson
Apr 03, 2022
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We have frequented this establishment on many occasions for our company and have our Christmas function there every Christmas. The refurbishment is an absolutely credit the Cheshnut Group. The restaurant as a lovely warm feeling and the new layout is so much better. The rooms which have all had a major overall do not disappoint in anyway. Just the other evening 22 of us were there to say a fond farewell to one of the team who was retiring.
As with everything with these events names, menu choices change all the time but thanks to Jay the General Manager and the guys at Head Office this was all carried out efficiently and quickly. The food on the night was amazing and I would have to say most probably the best food to be served since it was taken over. The charm of this property remains and will always be a go to when we have events. Thank you to all the team for making this evening so so special for all who attended.
As with everything with these events names, menu choices change all the time but thanks to Jay the General Manager and the guys at Head Office this was all carried out efficiently and quickly. The food on the night was amazing and I would have to say most probably the best food to be served since it was taken over. The charm of this property remains and will always be a go to when we have events. Thank you to all the team for making this evening so so special for all who attended.
James Daley
Mar 31, 2022
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Stayed good Friday night. Service was excellent, food was really good, had Lamb and Steak. 2 children's portions were decent size and well cooked. The room was lovely, perfect size for 2 adults and 2 kids. Highly recommended.
Kit Hardy
Mar 19, 2022
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Ordered fish and chips which was very average, fish was quite small and chips were not great. Waitress did not offer sauces when she brought our food so my chips were even drier. I notice the waitress also asked other people if everything was fine with their meals but did not ask us which seemed odd. Desert was nice but expect more for 7.50. My partner had pie which was nice. I did notice on my way out another person had what looked like a bigger piece of fish with a good amount of flesh on it. I would not recommend going here.
