NORWICH.

This is the second Chalk Hill pub in Norwich and not as big as the Coach and Horses which is the brewery too. This Victorian corner pub has much to offer to the casual drinker. The central bar serves two rooms - the lounge with carpets and stools at the bar plus more comfortable tables and chairs. The walls are dark whit pictures and other bits dotted about. THe public bar retains a bare floor with a pool tables and a jukebox and has the tendancy to fill up with standing customers. It is also where most of the hand pumps are. They had four Chalk Hill beers on plus a Belgian dark beer on draught. All were served well without sparkler and were very tasty. There is a naval theme here plus pictures and fewer seating areas, though there are still stools at the bar which can cause problems getting served on a Saturday night. There is a popular outside drinking area for summer and fire for winter. There is no food here and no accommodation but there is plenty locally. Access for the disabled is possible to the public bar, but negotiating tables and chairs is very difficult.

As you can see from the photo, this place looks a bit like a western hacienda from the outside and the wooden theme runs to the inside as well. There are bare floors and plenty of dark wood around the walls, which have posters and pictures on them. There is a nice area at the rear near the brewery (this is a brewpub - Chalk Hill), where a large chalk board gives you the extensive food selection, all served at reasonable prices. Not a lot for vegetarians, but you can manage with a couple of choices. There is a TV here too, but it's not put on loud. Large multi-glass conservatory type doors let in a lot of light as does the glass ceiling. Seating here is large kitchen tables and benches, there are some smaller tables and chairs too. Toilets are here - very Victorian with tiles and stainless steel sinks? The bar is 'L' shaped and wooden and is easy to get served, even on a busy night. Of course they serve their own Chalk Hill beers, Tap Bitter, CHB, Dreadnought, Flintknappers Mild and Old Tackle, all on when visited. There are also usually two guest ales on. Seating at the front of the pub is smaller tables and chairs and there are a couple of booths too. The pub is very friendly and welcoming - they have a chef who makes his own chips! They also serve reasonably priced breakfasts and I can recommend them. Access for the disabled is possible though space is limited and the toilets are off limits. There is a beer garden out front of the pub away from the traffic. The station is only 5 minutes away as is the river and the trendy nightlife area of Norwich. Well worth a visit if in Norwich. Don't just got to the Fat Cat, make a stop here too. No accommodation here but try and of those listed below.

What can you say but WOW! This former CAMRA national pub of the year free house serves on average 30 real ales (22 when we came). Situated in a side street off one of the main routes out of Norwich, it is in a residential area and looks just like a corner house with a few picnic benches outside. Inside it is small and cramped as the bar takes up nearly the whole length of the pub and most of its middle to accommodate the cellar. As such there are plenty of nooks and crannies to sit in and talk, though it does get busy (if there are 20 people in - only joking) and can get cramped. However, its more than made up for by the range of real ales available. Too many to list here, but there'll be something to satisfy even the earnest of tickers. Seating is limited small tables and stools, some high stools at the bar, but sitting there stops people getting served so don't do it! Full list of beers above the bar, but no food (filled rolls now at lunch times) and the only other shop nearby is the cycle shop opposite. Be quiet when leaving so they keep their license. They also do 10 country wines, 28 bottled Belgian beers with 8 on draught. Well worth a pilgrimage. No accommodation here. Not suitable for the disabled.

East Anglian Pub of the Year in 1999, this pub serves up to 12 real ales and over 60 whiskies. This pub wants you to enjoy their ales so much that they allow you to take your own take-away food inside, providing all plates, cutely and sauces!!! At lunchtime though they do serve rolls. Outside is a secluded beer garden, but if you hate sunshine there is a TV showing sports on most of the time. Recently refurbished, this free house has loads of ales to offer, with beers from Wolf, Adnams, etc. No music (but TV), you can also camp here if you ask in advance. Well worth a visit. No accommodation here, but see the bottom of the page.

This Adnams pub is on the outskirts of the shopping area to the north of the city. There are steps into the pub or down to the cellar bar function room. It also offers "Safe Bike Parking" and has an enclosed beer garden and conservatory that is too near the road at the rear . There is also a no smoking conservatory. Open all day it serves on average nine [9] real ales when you visit. Inside there are two/three seating areas. The bar is on the left and is long with pillars in the way. Above the bar are blackboards with the beers on (Ushers Spring Ale, King and Barnes, Courage, Adnams Southwold, etc) nothing to light a tickers fire, but in good condition and they take the sparkler off. Floors are bare and there is a quizz team here - done rather well too. The rear seating area is more cosy and out of the way. While not busy even on Saturday nights, people congregate round the bar area. The other room to the right has iron legged tables and stools and there is another entrance here and a fruit machine. Food is served here Mon-Fri 11-3pm and Sat 11-4pm. It's traditional pub food but wholesome and welcoming. There's no accommodation here, but I hesitate to recommend anywhere else.

Other Pubs to Visit.

Other Accommodation:

[If anyone would like to recommend accommodation email Real Ale and a Bed - Ed.] Try:

Kalimera, 40 Dereham Road, New Costessey, Norwich, Norfolk. Single - £25; Twin - £40; Double - £40

Kalimera is a family run bed and breakfast that offers quality accommodation and a warm welcome at relatively low cost. Quality guesthouse accommodation and generous cooked breakfasts are available to give business and holiday travellers in Norwich a restful night and a good start to the day. http://www.norwich-bandb.co.uk map

The Station Hotel, 5 - 7 Riverside Road, Norwich, Norfolk NR1 1SQ. (01603) 611064. English Tourist Board 3 Crowns. Single room basic £30, single room en-suite £39; double room basic £45, double room en-suite £55. Or try:

Beeches Hotel, 4 - 6 Earlham Road, Norwich, NR2 3DB. (01603) 621167. Prices: single from: £59 double from: £76 per room per night. View.

Catton Old Hall, Lodge Lane, Norwich, NR6 7HG. (01603) 419379. Prices: single: £48, double from: £60 per room per night. View.

Fuchsias Guest House, 139 Earlham Road, Norwich, Norfolk, NR2 3RG. (01603) 451410. Price: single from: £20, double from: £36 per room per night. View.

Wedgewood House Hotel, 42 St. Stephens Road, Norwich, NR1 3RE. (01603) 625730. Prices: single from: £22, double from: £42 per room per night. View.

Yew Tree Guest House, 79 Yarmouth Road, Thorpe St Andrew, Norwich, NR7 0HF. (01603) 300448. Prices: single from: £25, double from: £37.50 per room per night. View.

Elm Farm Country House, 55 Norwich Road, St. Faith, Norwich, Norfolk, NR10 3HH. (01603) 898366. Prices: single from: £31, double from: £50 per room per night.

Mill Cottage Self Catering, Mill Street, Buxton, near Norwich, Norfolk, NR10 5JE. (01263) 761371.

Regency Guest House, The Street, Neatishead, Norwich, NR12 8AD. (01692) 630233. Prices: single from: £22, double from: £40 per room per night.

Grey Gables Country House Hotel, Norwich Road, Cawston, Norwich, NR10 4EY. (01603) 871259. Prices: double from: £52 per room per night.

The Broads Hotel, Station Road, Wroxham, Norwich, NR12 8UR. (01603) 782869. Prices: single from: £36, double from: £55 per room per night.

Salamanca Farm Guest House, Norwich Road, Stoke Holy Cross, near Norwich, NR14 8QJ. (01508) 492322. Prices: single from: £20, double from: £36 per room per night.

Green Farm Hotel, North Walsham Road, Thorpe Market, Norwich, Norfolk, NR11 8TH. (01263) 833602. Prices: single from: £40, double from: £60 per room per night.

Sloley Farm Bed and Breakfast, Sloley, Norwich, NR12 8HJ. (01692) 536281. Prices: single: £25, double from: £38 per room per night.

Old Pump House, Holman Road, Aylsham, Norwich, NR11 6BY. (01263) 733789. Prices: single from: £18, double from: £36 per room per night.

Lenwade House Hotel, Lenwade, Great Witchington, Norwich, NR9 5AE. (01603) 872288. Prices: single from: £45.50, double from: £65.50 per room per night.

Briars, Riverside, Reedham, Norwich, NR13 3TF. (01493) 700054. Prices: single: £35, double: £49.50 per room per night.

The Old Rectory, North Walsham Road, Crostwick, Norwich, NR12 7BG. (01603) 738513. Prices: single from: £38.50, double from: £52.50 per room per night.

Welbeck House, Welbeck, Brooke, near Norwich, NR15 1AT. (01508) 550292. Prices: single from: £18, double from: £36, per room per night.

Trebeigh House, 16 Brabazon Road, Hellesdon, near Norwich, NR6 6SY. (01603) 429056. Prices: single from: £16, double from: £32 per room per night.

Rosedale Guest House, 145 Earlham Road, Norwich, NR2 3RG. (01603) 453743. Prices: single from: £17, double from: £34 per room per night.

Edmar Lodge, 64 Earlham Road, Norwich, NR2 3DF. (01603) 615599. Prices: single from: £26, double from: £38 per room per night.

Broad Gates, 1 Wroxham Road, Coltishall, Norwich, NR12 7DU. (01603) 737598. Prices: single: £22, double: £40 per room per night.

Lodge Farmhouse, Felthorpe, Norwich, Norfolk, NR10 4BY. (01603) 754896. Prices: single: £15, double: £30 per room per night.

The Vineries Bed and Breakfast, 72 Stalham Road, Wroxham, near Norwich, NR12 8DU. (01603) 782514. Prices: single from: £25, double from: £40 per room per night.

Stone House, 20 Millgate, Aylsham, near Norwich, NR11 6HX. (01263) 734567. Prices: single: £15, double: £30 per room per night.

The Old Inn, Marsham Road, Brampton, near Norwich, NR10 5HN. (01603) 279438. Prices: single from: £18, double: £40 per room per night.

Braydeston House, The Street, Brundall, near Norwich, NR13 5JY. (01603) 713123. Prices: single: £25, double: £42 per room per night.

Raeburn House, 83 Yarmouth Road, Norwich, NR7 0HF. (01603) 439177. Prices: single from: £18, double from: £36 per room per night.

George Hotel, Arlington Lane, Newmarket Road, Norwich, NR2 2DA. (01603) 617841. Prices: single from: £46, double from: £72 per room per night. Discount available.

The Railway Tavern, 17 The Havaker, Reedham, Norwich, NR13 3HG. (01493) 700340. Prices: single: £30, double: £50 per room per night. Discount available.

Cubitt Cottage, Low Street, Sloley, Norwich, NR12 8HD. (01692) 538295. Prices: single from: £25, double from: £42 per room per night.