The White Horse, Cromer

Stepping inside to a square public bar I was relieved the covid regs had been relaxed here after reading Blue Scrumpy’s review. A fairly plain unwelcoming room with botanical wallpaper over grey plague panelling, a biggish screen and some trendy lighting. To one side is the grey plague counter with its six pulls of small more or less local brewery products, Woodforde’s, Lacons, Mr Winters, Wolf, and Humpty Dumpty being represented, keg drinkers can choose from a selection of familiars on two T-Bars and a weird solo affair. To the right is a lounge leading on to a dining area, I believe with a sea view but I didn’t look. Parquet floor, banquette seating at square tables equipped with condiments along with a couple of well spaced out cafe like tables and a few taller ones with stools complete the picture. The sparse coldness of the room and the semi detached staff reflected exactly the chilly atmosphere of the place, beer was good though.

The White Horse is situated in the quiet village of Overstrand to the east of Cromer. It's a grand old building, but the interior had been modernised. We were surprised to see that most Covid restrictions were still in place. Customers had to be seated and were strongly encouraged to wear facemasks when moving around. It was difficult to see what beers were on from a distance, which meant I had to go to the bar anyway, before returning to the table for my order to be taken. Woodforde's Wherry is the regular ale. Guests were Mr Winter's Twin Parallel, Adnams Ghost Ship, Wildcraft Wild Summer & Green Jack Trawlerboys Best Bitter. A nice and quiet village pub with a fairly decent ale selection, but the stringent Covid measures and the modernisation of the interior slightly let it down.

Modernised village pub with the bar at the front, a dining room to the side and more of a restaurant at the back. Also has a couple of wooden benches at the front and a rear beer garden. Three of six handpumps in use, offering two Greene King beers - St Edmunds and the seasonal Scrum Down - plus Adnams Ghost Ship citrus pale ale.

Previous review accurate concerning beer etc . The food is excellent both bar meals and in the restautant. The restaurant serves interesting and non standard meals. The black sea bream with crab roulade was delicious. Well worth a visit.

The White Horse is a large Victorian pub. Externally, it is undressed brick with gables that are wood and white render in a mock Tudor style. It has a large garden to the rear. Internally, the pub has been extensively remodelled and is decorated in a very modern style in creams and browns. There is a separate games room with a pool table, a conservatory area at the rear, a restaurant and a small area with leather sofas connecting the bar to the restaurant. The whole interior feels new. With a restaurant area, the place clearly serves food, but Mrs Staal and I did not sample it, although the choice on the menu and specials board looked very nice. Beer wise, there was the usual stuff with three real ales - Wolf Brewery Straw Dog, Woodforde's Brew 78 and Greene King LBW. The Brew 78 and Straw Dog were very nice. This place was absolutely fine. I could have happily sat in here drinking all afternoon. The ultra modern decor might not be to everyone's taste, but I was very comfortable here.