Maids Head Hotel, Norwich

It’s a bit of a walk through the hotel past reception, some function rooms and an open plan dining area to the bar of the Maids Head Hotel. This bar area is carpeted throughout with leaded windows, traditional wood panelling and a fireplace that houses a burner. Seating is found to the right and the bar counter is the left-hand wall. Two of the three hand pumps were in operation drawing Humpty Dumpty Brewery’s Easter Egg and Woodforde’s Jester, the latter costing £2.85 for a half which was the priciest found during my two day visit to the city. For those that like fizz there were four premium keg options. To the left of the entrance is a small panelled room with a single four seater table, a tiled fireplace, old framed portraits and shelves full of old books. The bar was empty when I turned up and I had nearly finished my review before the barmaid arrived. She was polite though, and a few people came in during my stay. This place was a bit too poncey for me, so I don’t plan to revisit now that I’ve had a look.

Fine old coaching inn, standing opposite the northern archway leading to the Cathedral Close. The comfortable, and very traditionally furnished, bar is located towards the back near the side entrance that also serves the restaurant. Other areas have been modernised in a tasteful, upmarket way. Three real ales: a house beer from Woodfoorde's plus Adnams Southwold and Lacon's Legacy.

The Maids Head is a very large hotel and pub that is very close to the cathedral. Once inside there were quite a few different rooms and i went in the public bar which was smart and comfortable but it had that hotel bar feeling to it. There was only one real ale on here which was Adnams bitter and this was ok but nothing special. I only did this pub because i could remember seeing it when i did my first Norwich crawl back in the early 80s but i did'nt go in it then. Pub visited 3/6/2006

Official site of Maids Head Hotel - www.maidsheadhotel.co.uk