What is Travellers’ Choice?
Tripadvisor gives a Travellers’ Choice award to accommodations, attractions and restaurants that consistently earn great reviews from travellers and are ranked within the top 10% of properties on Tripadvisor.
The 12 Lost Churches
Review
About
Travellers' Choice
2024
A superb contemporary bar restaurant at Cliff House Holiday Park in Dunwich Suffolk. The restaurant is open to all and booking can be made by telephoning us. Our Locally sourced food is popular with all and on a Sunday we run an excellent Sunday Roast. We cater for birthday parties, Christmas Parties in fact you name it we can do it! Our staff are always on hand to help you and you will find all of us very friendly.
Features
CUISINES
Bar, British, Pub
Meal types
Lunch, Dinner, Drinks
Special Diets
Vegetarian friendly, Vegan options, Gluten free options
FEATURES
American Express
Beach
Dog Friendly
Family style
Free off-street parking
Free Wifi
Full Bar
Gift Cards Available
Highchairs Available
Live Music
Outdoor Seating
Parking Available
Playgrounds
Reservations
Seating
Serves Alcohol
Table Service
Takeout
Wheelchair Accessible
Wine and Beer
Location
Free off-street parking, Parking Available
Does this restaurant have live music
Save this restaurant
Hours
Open until 11:00 PM
Sunday
12:00 - 22:00
Monday
10:00 - 23:00
Tuesday
10:00 - 23:00
Wednesday
10:00 - 23:00
Thursday
10:00 - 23:00
Friday
10:00 - 23:00
Saturday
9:00 - 0:00
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4.1
218 reviews
Excellent
133
Very good
38
Average
14
Poor
12
Terrible
21
emmagbarber
38 contributions
Sept 2024 • family
We have been camping annually on site for ten plus years and cannot recommend highly enough. We would just like to say we ate here twice this weekend and the food was great, but the carvery we ate today was outstanding and great value for money. Meats, veggies and Roasties were fresh, hot and delicious... Yorkies home made...Cauli cheese was immense. Well done to all the staff for their great attitude and attention to detail.
Written 22 September 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Superbluestu
Ipswich6 contributions
Oct 2024 • friends
Visited for the first time to sample a Sunday carvery. The food was amazing. My wife is vegetarian and they also catered for her - very kind to provide veggie gravy and nut roast. Staff friendly and service very good. Highly recommend.
Written 13 October 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
DustyWN
Ipswich17 contributions
Jun 2024 • family
Our latest visit was Saturday night 8th June, 4 adults and a 17 yr old lad, lovely Pork belly starters, crispy beef noodles, lamb burgers and the burger for mains, and huge desserts Eton mess and Chocolate Brownie, all of a very high standard, really tasty and great value.
Highly recommended, and very dog friendly.
We all loved it.
Written 10 June 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
steve johnson
Thank you for you fab review much appreciated on behalf of all our team! Kind regards Steve
Written 27 July 2024
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
RubyRoo17
Newmarket8 contributions
May 2024 • couples
Sorry experience all round. When ordering we asked what the curry of the week was the waiter said ‘lamb something beginning with b’! ?Balti/Bhuna ?Biryani .. he answered ’yes, I think it’s Bhuna, well it was mega hot whatever it was so we asked if there was any yoghurt that could be served as an accompaniment. He asked the chef in the kitchen and returned saying, sorry no yoghurt but we can give you some milk! We finished our mains and waited to be offered the dessert menu, it never happened so we approached a staff member, they had to ask the kitchen if they were still serving, eventually a dry lump of sticky toffee pudding was served, very little sauce and a small amount of ice cream came with it. We gave feedback to the waitress on this but it fell on deaf ears. I also ordered a rhubarb gin but was served a Parma violet gin instead which was returned and replaced.
All in all a poor experience and we would not recommend and will not return!
Written 11 May 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
steve johnson
Great shame you were so negative our team do their best to give everybody a great experience. That day we had 2 off ill and were extremely busy so one of our young helpers tried to step up to the plate and serve you... he is 13 years old, in my book I would of tried to help him rather than just trying to be clever about his young lack of knowledge and trying to act like a restaurant critic! But reading your other reports sorry to say but you are a serial tripadvisor moaner. I am one of the Directors of the company and was at the bar when you brought back your gin, it was exchanged straight away with an apology and that should have been the end of it..... except moan you did!! True to form. Fortunately we have many customers that appreciate the effort we have gone to to bring an amazing venue to our 5 star holiday park, a venue that we subsidise heavily for the benefit for our customers.
Written 20 May 2024
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Sophie
Sheffield20 contributions
Mar 2024 • family
The venue is very dog friendly. We went for Sunday lunch for the carvery at 13:00. There was a good choice of meat and a good choice of vegetables.
The food itself was cold and tasted like it had been sat under the lamps for a while instead of being fresh out of the oven. The choice of meats was nice however it was a very stingy portion for what you pay.
The wine list was being updated and when asking if there was certain wines the server had no clue
The dog friendly side was good however I wouldn’t have sat all the dogs next to the door as barking and excitement was we a bit too much for some dogs.
The staff were not very attentive and in fact some were quite rude especially some of the bar staff. It felt like they wanted to talk to each other more than customers. When I asked for the bill one of the girls gave me a dirty look, I hadn’t realised she was pouring a jug of water for another customer and she could have explained this instead of huffing and puffing and giving dirty look. I would say the staff need to be more professional and more training needed.
Written 18 March 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Yackers1
21 contributions
Mar 2023 • couples
I went for a mid-week lunch at the 12 Lost Churches whilst staying at the onsite campsite. With just three tables of two, including the better half and me, it was very quiet during my visit.
It’s a good job my wife has a habit of cutting her burgers in half before eating as it was raw in the middle and had to be sent back for further cooking. When I go out for lunch with my wife I like to actually eat at the same time as her rather than us both eating on our own whilst the other watches. I totally understand mistakes happen in stressful busy kitchens but it was pretty much dead on our visit so I struggle to see what went wrong.
The chap serving behind the bar and taking the orders spent more time out the back or in the kitchen (or elsewhere) than behind the bar available to service the customers. This was a pain when I had to go searching for him to get the raw burger cooked a bit more, but actually saved me money as it restricted the amount of drinks I bought. A desert would have been nice though.
At £15.50 for a basic and small burger, fist full of skinny fries (that are clearly bought in and freezer to fryer jobbies) and a small pot of homemade coleslaw my lunch was pretty expensive and not good value for money.
Given my experience I cannot and would not recommend the 12 Lost Churches restaurant, which is a shame since the nearest alternative is in Dunwich.
Written 26 March 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Kate A
1 contribution
Aug 2023 • family
We have visited before and loved it so we decided to take our in-laws and we celebrated my upcoming birthday tomorrow.
Unfortunately the visit was extremely disappointing. They were understaffed and extremely disorganised.
We were sat at our table and were never asked for drinks, we were just sat there waiting. I had to get up and go and find someone to give them my drinks order.
The drinks then took around 15 mins to be bought over to the table.
When I went to get my carvery - I asked for pork. When I went over to the condiments/sauce station I noticed there was no apple sauce. So .. I asked for some. 3 members of staff then had a conversation about whether they had any. They all seemed really puzzled? They told me they didn’t have any.
Whilst I went to the serving area I watched a female member of staff eat some meat behind the carvery station and she made a joke and said “ahh just testing it” I found her extremely unprofessional and I also saw her drinking what was quite possibly a mug of coffee/tea a little later into the visit whilst we had been sitting waiting for our plates to be cleared. She was acting as though there was nothing to do?
I believe she may have been the supervisor 😳
The table next to us got up and left after they’d eaten and they hadn’t had their plates cleared.
I had to ask for our plates to be cleared.
I also asked for more drinks to which they were dumped on the end of the table.
Once the plates had finally been cleared, we sat and waited “again” with the hope that we were going to be offered desserts? .. so I got up AGAIN to go and ask. I was then told they weren’t offering desserts today? 🤷🏼♀️ even though there were various dessert menus spread out around the restaurant on nearby tables? They could offer us ice cream in cardboard pots with wooden spoons built in with the lid?
I then had to get up AGAIN to go and ask for the bill. That then took another 10 minutes!
The staff took no care and attention towards us throughout the whole visit. Needles to say it was embarrassing and such a shame because we wanted the same experience we’d had once before.
The food was delicious but the service and attitudes and work ethic of the staff were very very poor. Won’t be visiting again.
Written 27 August 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
steve johnson
As my readers here know I reply with the truth and this time we offer our full apology to this customer. The Summer was terrible and so hard, there were no decent staff available with our local contracting companies supplying the worse staff I have ever come across and charging £30 per hour for honour! Our Park Manageress almost had a mental breakdown from the pressure, out of 25 years of ownership this was our worst 6 months ever!! Now is a different story with a new Manageress taken over who is experienced and attentive, a head Chef who is fab and a really nice chap with a great character and will do anything to make sure your visit or party is enjoyable, along with some other new team members including commis chef, pot washing so in the last couple of months we have really pulled the bar and restaurant around! Anyway I appreciate you were upset the last time and may not wish to come again so we wish you the best or when you feel ready give us another try! thank you and apologies once again - Steve
Written 28 November 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Ken B
1 contribution
Apr 2023 • none
Thursday night, only 2/3 tables were occupied. Service was slow, ordered at 6.15, was served at 7.10. We had no starters. One of the meals didn’t arrive so was quite late, ok we wasn’t charged for it, even so! My daughters prawn curry was no more than a starter costing £18.50, about 6 prawns and rice that was lumpy, it looked and was unpleasant, no accompaniment or naan. My chicken burger was overcooked with dismal fries. Had to go to the staff to order wine. Avoid. Certainly shall not go back until there’s a vast improvement. Better
Written 19 April 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
steve johnson
Hi Ken I am sorry for your experience. Please read some of my responses above we have had a real struggle this year with staffing issues and have had to use contracting companies all through the summer and 90% of these this year were terrible. We have just found a new Manageress who has taken control and a full kitchen team all employed now so things will be much better if you visit again sometime. If you do visit please report back to me your thoughts of your experience, the reception will give you my email or I will talk with you personally if I am about. Thank you and apologies once again. regards Steve
Written 29 November 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Albert Gertie C
7 contributions
Jan 2024 • family
We have had a carvery here several times now! Our hoomans love it because the food and the beer is outstanding . We love it as it is so dog friendly. We get spoilt by all of the staff and get biscuits off them all. The staff there even look after us when our hoomans go up to the carvery to get their food. We have to say, the chipolatas were delicious!
Written 7 January 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
adnamsplease
Norwich32 contributions
Dec 2023 • couples
We attended for new years eve dinner which was outstanding. Great choice on the menu , so we had scallops cooked to perfection followed by pork loin for my wife and beef rib for me. Cheese plate and lemon meringue baked alaska for dessert.
Food was well presented, beautifully cooked and good portion size. Service was attentive without being over bearing and nothing was too much trouble for the team.
Well stocked bar with real ale and selection of premium lagers, cider and pale ale.
We had a fantastic night and met some lovely people. Thank you for a wonderful evening. We'll be back soon.
Albert and Gertie xx (
Written 1 January 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Louis Requena
Sapcote102 contributions
Apr 2022 • couples
Such a shame that the service outweighs the experience. Arrived the Thursday before Waster and told we had to book. Thinking it was super busy and popular we booked, to find we were 2 or 8 people in there.
Easter Monday we asked if we could order a takeaway and told we should book it with 6 people on the restaurant! Yes 6 people so hardly packed.
We wanted to order a burger and order it well done to be told it is as it comes.
I mean the place is empty and they’d rather turn down the cost of a meal than provide the service.
A rather lack lustre experience on both occasions. It seems they need to train their people on the aspect of service and the importance of customers and potential lost revenue.
Written 18 April 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
steve j
It is a great shame you marked 1/5 purely on what you perceived as a service problem. The issue is one that all restaurants are going through at the moment - a lack of staff. For the easter weekend we had 2 chefs and 1 pot washer whereas we normally have 3 chefs. So a booking system was in place to ensure those that did book would be able to be served in a reasonable time. It doesn't matter that there were 8 people in the restaurant there may have been 10 about to arrive in Thursday we fed around 80 people. Over the weekend the 2 chefs did around £7000 worth of food prep and cooking hardly a small number. I have spoken to the server you spoke to about the burger and he did explain to you that all burgers are cooked throughout this being done as per the law of cooking burgers, this being to the well done stage. So thank you for you review not of the food but your misconception of what your experience was.... after working a really hard weekend reading reviews like yours is quite frankly annoying especially when the weekend was highly successful, vibrant and our team worked their socks off for the first busy test of the year.
Written 20 April 2022
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
The Hungry Ones
Blythburgh5 contributions
Mar 2023 • friends
Awful. A hot dog with stale roll, a fistful of chips and a small pot of baked beans at around £15 is simply ridiculous. The hot dog including contents would have cost pence and the chips ditto. Pity because when I went for a sunday lunch about six months ago the food was very good. Won't go again.
Written 16 March 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Minnie
5 contributions
Sept 2024 • couples
Slow service due to waiter/barman being on his own. We wouldn’t have minded the long wait from ordering to receiving food if both our meals were nice. However whilst the lamb burger was good the aloo chatt was not - the paneer cheese was overcooked and rock hard. We had to ask for cutlery so this was another wait whilst our food sat on the table. No napkins provided. Ambiance was pleasant and the waiter was friendly.
Written 25 September 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Colin T
5 contributions
Jul 2022 • none
In general the food is to be fair always a good standard,the seats are comfortable and the lighting is low which makes for a relaxing atmosphere ....
unfortunately the service provided is reminiscent of a East London pie 'n mash shop..as soon as you are seated the waiter or waitress wants your order pronto!
Telling us each time we must have your food order urgent because the Chief is behind and we have a table of 30 coming..which amazingly never top up..
its a great shame the staff feel the need to do this,the restaurant was half empty in the height of season and do believe this is the cause.
Written 1 August 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Wanderer767976
7 contributions
Dec 2022 • couples
On arrival, the staff on the campsite went above and beyond to accommodate us. Worzel was a true gentleman and personally escorted us to our pitch.
We had booked a table in the restaurant for 8pm New Year's Eve. When we entered the 12 Lost Churches, we were warmly welcomed by the smiling staff who showed us to our table. Surprisingly we didn't have to wait long after ordering our food before it arrived. We were definitely not disappointed as the food was absolutely delicious so well done to the chef and kitchen staff.
After our meal, we joined the festivities in the bar area and a very good evening was had. Lee did a great job keeping everyone entertained until the early hours of 2023.
We would like to thank all the staff for making our New Year's Eve a great one.
Written 7 January 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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