“The Angel Inn is a very special place, steeped in history,” says Richard Clark. “When we first saw it we fell in love with the building and could see how magnificent it could be given a complete and sensitive refurbishment.”

It took over two years of painstaking work to complete the major, but sympathetic renovation project, which sought to retain the character of this heritage building, with its rustic brickwork, hand-hewn beams and cosy nooks.

But the ambition did not stop there. The family – having already started a luxury holiday accommodation business in St Ives in Cornwall, Sail Lofts-St Ives – knew they wanted to develop a very special place to eat and stay in the stunning Suffolk countryside of the Dedham Vale.

Though located less than an hour by train from central London, The Angel Inn’s rural location provided the main source of inspiration for its food and drinks offer, as well as its 11 luxury bedrooms, all decorated with original art works from the family collection. In fact, located in the centre of 'Constable Country', John Constable – Suffolk's most famous son – is believed to have visited and dined at The Angel itself on a number of occasions, when sketching and painting the picturesque nearby village church of St Mary's.  

With a food menu created by Michelin trained head chef Ruben Augilar Bel that’s centred on exceptional quality local and British seasonal produce, it was only right the Inn had a drinks offer to match. The carefully constructed wine list makes use of several bottlings from the family's own exceptional wine cellar. The wine cellar has wines laid down by the current owner's grandfather as well as more recent rare and special wines from around the world.

Sommelier Valerio Vallani says: "We are so fortunate to be able to offer our guests exceptional wines from the family cellar all of which have been stored in perfect conditions and many acquired direct from the vineyards. They include rare wines which would be hard to find elsewhere in the UK.”  

For instance, adds Valerio: "We have a number of Kistler Vineyard wines from the Sonoma Valley in California which are made in limited quantities and hard to find outside the US". Staying in California, the wine list also offers a rare 1994 Volcanic Hills Diamond Creek Cabernet Sauvignon as well as a 2013 Robert Mondavi Opus One.  

As well as a strong Italian showing including Barolo Reserva 'La Rocche del Falletto' Bruno Giocosa and Barbaresco 'Vigneto Starderi' La Spinetta, there are of course plenty of exceptional classic French wines including Château Petrus and Armand Rousseau burgundy.

If dessert wine and port is your weakness, you could push the boat out with a Château d'Yquem 1988 or a 1966 Quinta do Noval vintage port. Valerio and Ruben have also collaborated to create carefully constructed wine flights by the glass perfectly to compliment the seasonally changing menus. In short, The Angel Inn is a discerning wine-lover's dream.  

Exceptional food and wine in a stunning Tudor heritage building all set in the beautiful Suffolk countryside - it's hard to think of a more perfect setting for a short break.

For more information and reservations visit: www.angelinnsuffolk.co.uk