Pubs Galore - the UK pub guide

The Duke of Wellington was another Norwich pub that I decided to give another try, having last been here over 10 years ago and rating it as decidedly average. However, I was really impressed this time around.

There's a blackboard listing the full selection near the entrance and the bar area has now been split to create one point where you order and another where you collect your drinks. The barmaid was friendly and showed us the trapdoor which leads to an air raid shelter at the rear. Beyond that are the toilets and an outdoor area.

7 of the real ales were from Wolf - Edith Cavell, Moonlight, Golden Jackal, Battle of Britain, Lupus Lupus, Wolf Ale & Wolf In Sheep's Clothing. Oakham Bishop's Farewell is another regular ale. They also had Citra. 3 other guests were Dark Star Hophead, Nene Valley Manhattan Project & Three Blind Mice Milk Worm. In addition, there were 4 ciders - Broadoak Moonshine & Moonshine Rum & Raisin, Abrahall's Slack Alice & Colcombe House The Rhooberry.

Possibly the best pub we visited in Norwich yesterday.

Beer quality improved - Theakstons OP is a regular and was in good nick yesterday. The back now has spots and stripes pool.

May 2014
An old Firkin pub that was big on student/live music scene a few years back. Building itself is quite historic and the interior is large and rambling. Usually a couple of mainstream ales on in middling condition. Now separated into two rooms, the front bar is comfy chairs and pot plants, the rear bar is more rowdy. Table football available at the rear. Musical choices can often be loud and off-putting. Still, there's a bit of character.

An application to change the empty George and Dragon into a House in Multiple Occupation approved.

After a long closure,the pub was aquired by the local community in 2013,who then set about creating a gastro pub but with space to accomodate folk just wanting to drink as well.In these Covid times ,the entrance is off the large car park ,where the new extension for the restaurant is most visible as well as the outside seating area which has space heaters if it get chilly.
Inside the original building there is a bar to one side ,with an informal area with large sofas infront of a fireplace for drinking and relaxing.Elsewhere are a few dining tables,while a side room on the way to the loos was being used by diners on my evening visit,but could double up as a drinking spot outside food service times.The decoration and finishes are very much gastro pub,you can't pop in here for a game of darts !However this is a well off area,and the food is restaurant quality and locally sourced and it's popularity indicates it is well used by the local community.
Three handpumps were serving Hobson's Town Crier,Wye Valley HPA and an ale called Game Bird brewed by the Severn Valley Brewery to a recipe thought up by the pub owners.(A decent golden ale NBSS 3)
I really enjoyed the dining experience and was happy to pay the premium prices for quality.The staff are very friendly and there was a professional air to the service.In this foodie county ,this pub stands out and it has already won several awards,some for the community nature of the revival.

Lovely spot down the end of a lane. Inside it much of a muchness, nothing to see here, but, midweek at least plenty of outdoor seating by the lock and extending along the canal bank. Service required queuing outside to be called in then exiting from the other door; nobody was sat inside on a hot day. I pleaded inability to scan QR codes (in truth I couldn't be arsed to go back to the car for my phone) but you can give you details to the staff instead.

Everards tied house, so the usual suspects, we had a drink of Amber Ale which was a nice drink and enjoyed a restful hour watching the waterbourne comings and goings.

Well worth a visit, but it does get fearsomely busy on nice weekends: we turned back the other Sunday, no free seats and nowhere to park.