The Ferry House, Norwich

Approached by a narrow and rutted track through marshland, the Ferry House enjoys a lovely location next to the River Yare. The pub garden is along the river bank. A swan was wandering through during my visit and it has moorings from the river too. Inside, the single room is dominated by a large brick fireplace. The bar itself in one corner is also brick. There is dartboard at the far end. The pub opens each day for breakfast and food is clearly its mainstay, with condiments on each table and all other customers eating. A few prices were dotted around on various blackboards. Soup and a baguette was £7, a rump steak would set you back £17.95, a ribeye £16.95 and a sirloin £27.95. Shepherd's Pie was £16.95. I was more tempted by the large Victoria Sponge cake on the bar. When I left, the landlord commented that everybody had gone, but I suspect the pub's peaks in trade will always coincide with meal times. Nevertheless, I did see a barman preparing the next pub quiz and live music was being promoted once a month on a Sunday. Adnams Ghost Ship appears to be a regular beer. Green Jack Golden Best & Trawlerboys were also on with an Adnams Broadside handpull having a glass over it. Weston's Old Rosie was available, with Aspall's also on keg. Keg beers included Adnams Mosaic & Beavertown Neck Oil. It's the location that makes this pub. I'd imagine it can often do a roaring trade during the summer, with food keeping it going in the colder months.

An early eighteenth century brick built pub on the bank of the River Yare, downstream of Norwich. On the edge of Broadland,Surlingham was the home of the celebrated nature writer E A Ellis, whose nature reserve, together with the RSPB’s is nearby. The pub is approached down a track from the hamlet of Surlingham Ferry,through some atmospheric reedbeds, and indeed operated a ferry until the second world war. Entering via a few steps,the L shaped bar which wraps round the serving area is found to one’s left:tables and chairs, a large chimney breast with woodburner and assorted impedimenta. We visited on a damp Sunday lunchtime in early November in somewhat of a bad move, having been led, by satnav, to the opposite bank of the river.Entering, we found a pleasant Sunday buzz,drinkers at the bar, and groups sat at tables,drinking and eating ,waiting for a folk music event later in the afternoon . On the bar,three handpumps offering Humpty Dumpty’s Little Sharpie, a golden reedy session beer,alongside Adnam’s Broadside and Woodforde’s Wherry. At the end of the bar, under a makeshift cooling array,sat a firkin of Adnam’s wonderful Ghost Ship Pale ale.I love beer from gravity dispense, but experience tells me that its quality can be dubious.Despite my misgivings, this beer was in tiptop condition,though few regulars seemed to be drinking it-too strong they said… Being a Sunday,roast was the order of the day:at least some of us enjoying the full mixed works.Plenty of meat, plenty of veg, served with great good humour.A grand community local, with mooring facilities for those of a nautical persuasion.