The Albion, Thetford

The Albion has an L-shaped bar area to the left and a sunken area with a pool table to the right. The television was off and there was some background music playing for the five or so locals at the bar. Four of the six hand pumps were in operation drawing Adnams Ghost Ship, Black Sheep’s Best, Greene King IPA and Weston’s Old Rosie cider. Standard keg was also available alongside San Miguel. I felt the bland interior betrayed the attractive cottage like exterior and I didn’t find the welcome from the landlady to be very hospitable. The seating out the front behind the picket fence may be a nice spot on a summer’s day, but I certainly won’t be visiting this pub on a cold January evening again.

Attractive pub that would look at home in any village, but here located across the road from the town's ancient castle earthworks. Refurbished inside in a slightly less appealing plain style, it was not surprising to find most of the customers sat outside at the front tables on a fine summer evening. Beer-wise, I found Greene King IPA, Wainwright, Pedigree and Adnams Ghost Ship (£3.60) available from four of the six handpumps.

This pleasant old cottage style Greene King pub is a short walk from the town centre and close to the nearby castle hill and medieval earthworks. It has been in the same family for over 40 years which is always a good sign and there appears to be a decent close knit but friendly customer base. The carpeted main bar is nothing fancy or over the top but has a nice cosy glow to it with sash windows, drape curtains, old pictures and fireplace with woodburner. The beers are decent quality but just a typically mundane choice of Greene King IPA and Abbott stretched across 5 handpumps on my visit. There is a separate pool area and a couple of fruit machines, a beer garden and seating out the front. The pub is nothing exceptional but it is far more enticing than some of the other pubs in the town centre and worth the stroll for a pint before or after exploring the castle area.