Day Trip To Norwich

The Leicester CAMRA Socials on Saturday’s are well established now. On Saturday 9^th July 2005, we set off on our fourth Saturday outing to Norwich.

It began as a grey day, the bus arriving at 8.35; about 45 of us all on board and away by 8.40. Holiday traffic was expected, but to our good fortune we had a clear run for most of the 120 mile journey. We arrived at Norwich at 11.15. No Nicholas Parsons but loads of good pubs to get stuck in to. By now it was becoming a typical hot summer’s day. Keith Satterly had given out maps and pub lists to help everyone along. We were dropped off in 2 groups, one by The Fat Cat and the other by The Railway Station. 

Norwich has 13 pubs listed in the 2005 Good Beer Guide, plus many more good enough, but not in due to lack of entry space. Most of these pubs were easy to reach from our drop off points within the time we had.

Most of us alighted at the end of Nelson Street on the Dereham Road. As it was early, we all drifted off to the Alexandra Tavern. This small corner pub in a quiet terraced area has the advantage of opening earlier than most. It is one of 2 known pubs selling Chalk Hill Brewery’s Beers. Prices are reasonable as well at £1.90 for Tap Bitter.

Next, The Nelson, having just opened only had 2 beers to offer, then off to the star of Norwich, in fact the whole country. The Fat Cat on West End Street is the reigning National CAMRA “Pub Of The Year” and well deserved too. The trouble with this pub is it’s not in Leicester. With a range of beers on handpump and gravity, too many to mention, all in tip top condition. The cobs at 60p each are excellent value as well as good quality.  This pub is the only pub to have been awarded National “Pub Of The Year” twice.

Next was an old haunt of mine as I used to drink in Norwich regularly in the 1990’s The Reindeer. This now appears to be an Elgoods tied house with guest beers as well. In days gone by, there was a brewery here. It was sold by the Landlord, Wolf, who formed Wolf Brewery in Attleborough, and the Reindeer’s ex- brewer now brews for Chalk Hill at The Coach and Horses, as far as I know. This pub spent a while as The Finesko & Firkin.

At this point, we split up a bit. Some of us wandered in to town while the brave ones climbed Grapes Hill heading for The Champion. A small cosy pub on the ring road with a varied range of beers and quite full for a Saturday afternoon. Next we tried to visit The Coachmakers, but it was closed as there was a procession due to pass the pub within the hour.

Next, a short walk to The Trafford Arms. This pub, tucked away behind Sainsbury’s, also has a large range of beers to choose from and has been voted Norwich CAMRA “Pub Of The Year” 2005. More walking to the next pub, The Kings Arms. A Batemans tied house now with an excellent range of beers including a small number of Batemans Beers. Over the road is our next port of call, The Freemasons. I didn’t know what I would find in here, as last time I visited, it was The Billy Bluelight. At the time, the only Woodforde's tied house in the area. A smaller selection here and not all that busy.

We now had to navigate our way to the foot bridge and cross the river Wensum and round to the opposite side of the Railway Station. Here we found The Coach & Horses, home of Chalkhill Brewery. A large spacious pub with almost all of the Chalk Hill beers as well as a good selection of guest beers. We spotted the brewery at the rear of the pub as we were leaving to wander up the hill to The Rosary. A basic pub selling about 6 beers, not many people in though. Those were my pubs visited, a wider selection were visited by other members.

Instead of touring Norwich, Keith Satterly, our Social Secretary took the train to Lowestoft to present The Harry Cragg “Beer Of The Festival” 2005 Silver Award to Green Jack Brewery for their beer, Orange Wheat. Keith was made most welcome and had a pleasant few hours socialising with the pub regulars at The Triangle Tavern before returning to Norwich to meet up with us in The Rosary.

By now, the bus had arrived to pick us all up. We were all on board by 5.35 and on our way to the stop-off on the way home, The Brewery Tap at Peterborough. We were allowed 45 minutes to try some of Oakham Ales excellent beers, that’s 25 minutes less than my last visit a month ago (see News). We finally arrived back in Leicester as usual with plenty of time for a beer in town before going home.   I am sure I speak for all of us when I say I had an excellent day out. For me, a few changes observed since my drinking days in Norwich, most of them for the better. Thanks go to Keith Satterly for another excellent day out and to Ausden Clark Coaches for a safe and pleasant journey.

Keith Williams.
 

This page last updated: June 3, 2008

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