The Coachmakers Arms, Norwich

Boasting a half timbered interior some of which may be original from somewhere, carpet and tile flooring, the counter is brick built and lies to the left on stepping down from the road. There are four pulls with on this occasion five pump clips; I gave my order and the barman disappeared and returned a moment later with a pint, it was then I saw the sign “Real ales Gravity poured from the cask”. A selection of casks behind confirmed this was the case. The beers on offer were not so great; Greene King Old Speckled Hen and Abbott, Woodfordes Wherry and Nelson’s Revenge plus Lacons, all described on small blackboards above. A couple there might have been interesting on gravity but I went with the Lacons which was splendid. Two T-bars have a selection of the usual stuff. Furnishings are traditional pub, Britannia tables and stools with tables and chairs on a raised level to the right. Not a big pub, basically a single room partly exposed brick, part plaster, a couple of screens and a machine.

After a run of below-par pubs this one was approached with trepidation but fortunately really delivered. Despite its unprepossessing location it looks well-maintained from the outside, replete with original old coach arch and a large mural of a castle too. Inside is a local which feels like it was refurbished in the early 90s and has been looked after ever since; lightly coloured ceiling beams, pub carpet, undressed stone and brick walls and two interesting two arched inlets by the fire. There’s a nice raised area to the right where we parked ourselves. Five ales on, all gravity (I winced – usually gravity in a warm pub = trouble) 2x GK, 2x Woodfordes and a Wolf brewery beer. My Woodfordes Bure Gold was quite palatable (NBSS 3.5) and an unscheduled joker of the Woodfordes Nelson was also decent (3). Topped-off by decent music and a buzzing convivial atmosphere within. A rare stand-out on my long weekend in Norwich which wasn’t a Fattus Cattus outlet. Make an appointment with this one. 8.5