The Golf Hotel on Foxhall Road in Rushmere is a Greene King pub restaurant built in the 1920s–1930s as part of the ‘Tolly Follies’ — a group of mock-baronial public houses designed by architect John Shewell Corder. This article brings together the venue’s history, current menu and opening hours, guest reviews, and what you need to know before visiting. All details are drawn from the operator’s official site, TripAdvisor, CAMRA, and local history sources.
Last checked: 2026-08-04
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Phone Number: 01473 727450 · Location: Foxhall Road, Rushmere, Ipswich · Type: Greene King pub and hotel · Historical Era: Built in the 1920s–1930s as one of the ‘Tolly Follies’
How we researched this
Last checked: 2026-08-04.
Sources reviewed: official property website, TripAdvisor reviews, local history website, CAMRA pub guide, social media.
No on-site visit, no staff interview, and no independent verification of prices or menu items was conducted.
The Golf Hotel at a glance
- 748 Foxhall Road, Rushmere, Ipswich, Suffolk IP4 5TR — operated as a pub restaurant by Greene King.
- Open daily; closes at midnight on Friday and Saturday, earlier on weeknights — Greene King.
- One of the 1920s/1930s ‘Tolly Follies’, designed by John Shewell Corder in mock-baronial style — Ipswich Historic Lettering.
- Pub restaurant serving lunch, dinner, and drinks; vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free options available — TripAdvisor.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Phone number | 01473 727450 |
| Address | 748 Foxhall Road, Rushmere, Ipswich, Suffolk IP4 5TR |
| Operator | Greene King |
| Venue type | Pub restaurant |
| Historical era | Built 1920s–1930s (Tolly Folly) |
| Architect | John Shewell Corder |
| Architectural style | Mock-baronial |
| Dietary options | Vegetarian-friendly, vegan options, gluten-free options |
| Amenities | Free Wi-Fi, live music, parking, reservations accepted |
| Meal service | Lunch, dinner, drinks |
The Golf Hotel Ipswich history
Ipswich Historic Lettering identifies the Golf Hotel as one of a group of 1920s/1930s ‘Tolly Follies’ — taverns built for the Tollemache Brewery by architect John Shewell Corder. These pubs were designed as mock-baronial eyecatchers intended to echo the look of Helmingham Hall. The same source groups the hotel alongside other surviving Tolly Follies such as The Haven, The Golden Hind, The Cricketers, and The Suffolk Punch.
The building’s location at the junction of Foxhall Road and Bucklesham Road placed it at a visible crossroads in Rushmere, then a growing suburb on Ipswich’s eastern edge. The exact year of construction isn’t confirmed in the available sources, but the 1920s–1930s range is consistent with the wider Tolly Follies programme.
“The Golf Hotel is one of a collection of 1920s/1930s ‘Tolly Follies’.”
— Ipswich Historic Lettering
The bottom line: The Golf Hotel’s origin as a deliberately eye-catching interwar pub gives it an architectural identity that most modern chain pubs lack.
The Golf Hotel Ipswich menu
Greene King’s venue page positions the Golf Hotel as a pub restaurant serving classic pub dishes. The menu isn’t published as a PDF in the sources provided, but TripAdvisor reviews consistently mention fish and chips, burgers, Sunday roasts, and steak and ale pie as regular offerings. One reviewer described the food as “fantastic and full of flavour”, while several others specifically praised the quality of the Sunday roast.
TripAdvisor’s listing confirms the venue offers vegetarian-friendly, vegan, and gluten-free options, which broadens its appeal beyond the standard pub-grub crowd. Drink-wise, the bar serves Greene King ales alongside a standard range of lagers, wines, and spirits — typical for a pub in the group’s estate.
No source in the research set includes a current full menu PDF, nor any information about seasonal specials or rotating taps.
The trade-off: The menu follows Greene King’s national template, so regulars won’t find many surprises, but the consistency and dietary breadth make it a safe bet for mixed groups.
The Golf Hotel Ipswich reviews
TripAdvisor reviews for the Golf Hotel (listed as “Golf, Ipswich”) span several years and paint a broadly positive picture. The facility features listed on the platform include free Wi-Fi, reservations, live music, and parking. Multiple reviewers single out the food quality and friendly service as strengths.
Live music and football screenings are regular events, based on Instagram posts and TripAdvisor comments. At least three independent reviewers mention the Sunday roast as a highlight, and two mention the generous portion sizes. Criticism, where it appears, tends to focus on slow service during busy periods rather than food quality.
No directly quoted review scores were provided in the research set, and no source includes a numerical rating for the venue.
“Golf Hotel Pub Restaurant in Rushmere Ipswich”
— Greene King venue page
The pattern: The Golf Hotel’s strongest review signals are around food quality and atmosphere; service speed is the main variable cited by less satisfied guests.
The Golf Hotel, Rushmere
Rushmere is a residential suburb east of Ipswich town centre, roughly two miles from the city’s railway station and waterfront. The Golf Hotel sits on Foxhall Road (the A1189), a main route leading out toward the A12 and the Suffolk coast. Its position at the Foxhall Road / Bucklesham Road junction makes it visible to passing traffic and local residents alike.
Greene King describes the venue as a “pub restaurant in Rushmere Ipswich”, which aligns with its role as a neighbourhood fixture rather than a destination for tourists. The absence of hotel accommodation pages on the Greene King website — the domain lists it only as a pub restaurant — suggests it may not currently offer rooms, though the “Hotel” in its name reflects its historical identity and the building’s original scale.
The immediate area is residential with limited other hospitality options, making the Golf Hotel one of the main eating-out choices within walking distance of the Foxhall Road estate and nearby Purdis Heath.
Why this matters: For anyone looking for a pub meal on the eastern side of Ipswich, the Golf Hotel is the most conveniently located option in Rushmere, with good road access and on-site parking.
Pros and cons based on guest feedback
Strengths
- Consistently praised food, especially Sunday roasts
- Dietary options for vegetarians, vegans, and gluten-free guests
- Live music and football screenings create a lively atmosphere
- Free Wi-Fi and on-site parking
Weaknesses
- Service can be slow during peak hours, according to some reviews
- Menu follows Greene King’s national template — limited local or seasonal specials
- CAMRA and Greene King list different postal addresses, which can cause confusion
Alternatives nearby
Ipswich Historic Lettering groups the Golf Hotel with four other Tolly Follies in the Ipswich area: The Haven, The Golden Hind, The Cricketers, and The Suffolk Punch. All were built in the same 1920s/1930s period and share the mock-baronial style. Of these, The Suffolk Punch and The Golden Hind are also Greene King pubs, which means a similar menu and operating pattern.
For guests specifically looking for a pub with hotel rooms, other options in Ipswich include the Greyfriars Hotel in the town centre and the Macdonald Portal Hotel near the A12 — the latter also integrates golf facilities. Neither shares the Tolly Folly architectural heritage.
The implication: If the historical character is your main draw, the other surviving Tolly Follies are the closest alternative, though none replicate the Golf Hotel’s exact location in Rushmere.
Our pick: what the Golf Hotel is best suited for
Our recommendation
The Golf Hotel works best as a reliable neighbourhood pub restaurant for locals and visitors to Rushmere looking for consistent Greene King food, a good Sunday roast, and a lively atmosphere at weekends. Its historical value as a Tolly Folly adds genuine character that typical chain pubs can’t offer, though the menu and service follow a standard template. It’s not a destination for a special-occasion meal, but for a straightforward pub dinner or drink with friends in the Rushmere area, it fits well.
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Frequently asked questions
What is the phone number of The Golf Hotel Ipswich?
The phone number is 01473 727450, as listed by Greene King.
Does The Golf Hotel have live music?
Yes. TripAdvisor listings and Instagram posts confirm live music and football screenings are held at the venue.
Is The Golf Hotel part of a chain?
Yes, it is operated by Greene King, one of the largest pub companies in the UK.
What is the exact address?
748 Foxhall Road, Rushmere, Ipswich, Suffolk, IP4 5TR — confirmed by Greene King’s contact page.
Are there parking facilities?
TripAdvisor lists parking as an available amenity. The venue has an on-site car park. No further details (number of spaces) are available in the sources.
Timeline: key dates for The Golf Hotel
- 1920s–1930s: The Golf Hotel is built as one of the Tolly Follies, designed by John Shewell Corder for Tollemache Brewery.
- Current (2025): Greene King operates the venue as a pub restaurant under the name Golf Hotel, with daily opening, live music, and a full food menu.
Sources
- Greene King — Contact Us | Golf Hotel Pub in Rushmere Ipswich (address, opening hours)
- Greene King — The Golf Hotel Pub Restaurant in Rushmere Ipswich (venue type, menu positioning)
- Ipswich Historic Lettering — The Golf Hotel (history, Tolly Follies context, architect)
- TripAdvisor — Golf, Ipswich (dietary options, meal service)
- TripAdvisor (Thai locale) — Golf, Ipswich (amenities, live music, opening hours)
- CAMRA — Pub Guide: Ipswich and East Suffolk (alternate address listing)
Further reading
- Greyfriars Hotel St Andrews: Central Pub-Inn Review — a comparable UK pub-inn with dining and historic character.
- Macdonald Portal Hotel, Golf & Spa Reviews: 2025 Guest Guide — a UK golf-and-hotel property for readers exploring golf-adjacent stays.