Holkham, Norfolk:
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I’ll start by quoting this review:
Popular with the Chelsea-tractor set, the Victoria Hotel is part of the Holkam Estate & close to Holkham Hall (home to the Earl of Leicester & a favourite haunt of various royals, notably Charles & Camilla). The interior is a mix of 19th century British colonial styles, but the menu is more reflective of the surrounding slice of traditional English countryside. A classical menu is supported by interesting innovations & uses produce grown, if not on the estate, then locally, including game shot on the Earl’s range. Dishes are complimented by a healthy range of global wines.
which says it all. It’s all about the food and the airs and graces. It’s included here because it’s a pub, just, but it’s well on the way to being a restaurant, and not a cheap one either. It’s nicely decorated, the staff and beer are fine, but it has no soul.
Wells-next-the-Sea, Norfolk:
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Nice traditional pub- again with rooms, but this place really does feel like a pub. It’s a bit further from town than the others, on the A149. Good beer choice- ale and the usuals, plus good food at a decent price. Outside space as well, and great staff
Wells-next-the-Sea, Norfolk:
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Just up the road from The Globe, this is fairly similar- a little posher than average. We did try the food here (excellent, though not cheap), and the beer and staff also great. This is part of the Flying Kiwi Inns chain (of 6)
Wells-next-the-Sea, Norfolk:
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This is another hotel that scrapes ‘pub’. It looks out onto the Buttlands- a large village green. There’s decent beer, food (which we didn’t try) and lots of outside space. It’s a bit of a theme that lots of the Norfolk pubs we visited were slightly-posh gastropubs, and this one fits the mould. Pleasant enough though.
Wells-next-the-Sea, Norfolk:
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Big pub/hotel (it feels like a pub) with a restaurant in one half, which seems to be a seperate business. While it’s open-plan, it’s converted from several buildings at a guess, and the demarcation gives a bar, lounge, and the restaurant a seperate feel, which was nice. Good staff and beer.
Wells-next-the-Sea, Norfolk:
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Traditional-looking pub converted from a shop- so it looks like it’s been a pub for years, even though it hasn’t, right on the quayside at Wells, so handy for a sit on the quay, and no whinging about using proper glasses outside. No food, but excellent fish and chips just up the road. Friendly, helpful staff, decent beer too.
Wells-next-the-Sea, Norfolk:
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This pub doesn’t look encouraging: it’s a frankly ugly 60s building in an otherwise pretty town, with benches set out on a patch of tarmac in front. However, looks can deceive: there’s real ale, decent cider, and all the nrmal tat, decent food, and friendly staff, so it pays to ignore the appearance.
In Ur Pubz, Drinkin Ur Beerz