Where To Find Some Smashing Pubs

In an age where a worrying number of pubs are closing down every week, it is reassuring to discover that Norfolk still has a wonderful selection of inns.

It has not escaped the scourge of pub closures, and every so often you can read in the local newspapers how another village has lost its pub, or residents are campaigning to keep their local hostelry open.

But in most Norfolk villages you will still find a welcoming local pub, probably not too far away from any of the North Norfolk hotels you may be staying in. The pub will serve you an excellent pint of beer and in many cases a fine meal to go with it.

It is not just in the villages and small market towns where there are good pubs. The county capital, Norwich, is famed for its pubs and many of the landlords are suppor-tive of local brewers and will have one or more local beers on sale at any one time.

Wander down any of the lanes and side alleys of Norwich and you will soon stumble across a real ale pub.

If you are new to the Norfolk area, don't be afraid to ask at the reception of any of the hotels North Norfolk has for a recommendation of a good local pub, or which brand of local beer you should sample.

Several Norfolk hotels and a number of the Norfolk luxury hotels support the local micro-brewing industry and will gladly offer you a pint that has been brewed in the same village or just a few miles away.

Many pubs have their own beer festival in the summer so if you are in the area it's worth going along to one of those to sample a variety of the beer on offer. For many people who enjoy a pint of ale, drinking beer that has been brewed nearby only serves to enhance the experience and the flavours.

In the summer, there will be tables and chairs set outside pubs where drinkers can mingle on a warm evening and discuss the day's events over a beer while in the winter, you can be sure that the fire will be blazing away in the hearth. And to match the season, local brewers usually oblige with seasonal ales - light beer in the warmth of summer and a heavier and stronger dark beer to enjoy on a chilly evening.