The Angel Inn, Norwich

We stopped in the Angel for food one afternoon, the staff was very nice and the food was delicious! Our party of 4 had both meat and vegetarians meals, all reported very good food. The beers as stated below was mainly Adnams and guest ales. Guniness, Bitburger and Carlsburg were the other options. The Cider choice was Aspall a Suffolk brewed cider. Over all, this pub was nice.. like the other review said, it's a bit tricky to get to, just off the side of the A-11, just follow the signs posted and it will lead you right there. Signs start on the A-11 and for each turn there is another sign pointing you in the right direction.

Official site of the Angel, contains menus - angel-larling.co.uk

Official site of the Angel, contains menus - angel-larling.co.uk

The Angel is a 17th century Coaching Inn that once stood on the busy Thetford to Norwich main road but has now become a bit isolated by the building of the new A11 that now cuts off the village. The carpeted saloon bar is to the right as you enter with warm oak panelling, inglenook fireplace with stove, cushioned settles, a collection of water jugs, quiet unobtrusive background music and a quite sedate and genteel approach. There is a restaurant area to the rear in an adjacent room although several people were dining in the bar area. The separate mock Tudor Public bar is to the left of the main entrance with tiled floor, beamed ceiling, darts, fruit machine and jukebox. More water jugs hang over bar and amongst the old photos on the wall is one of the pub with, presumably, one of the current owner’s descendants (the pub has been in the same family for over 80 years). There are also several sporting pictures (mainly motor racing – Snetterton race track is nearby) drawn by noted local artist Alan Stammers who I believe is related to the owners. It is the smell of the food that will likely hit you as you walk in and does tempt you towards the menu but the beers are just as enticing. Adnams is a mainstay with up to 4 guest ales, many local (Crouch Vale Brewers Gold and Woodford Mardlers Mild were 2 I tried on my visit). Even the ciders and lagers were a bit more adventurous (Adsells and Bitburger respectively). Among the regular events are an annual Beer Festival in August (apparently the second biggest in Norfolk) and even a Boxing Day tractor run for those who are fed up with watching the Great escape. There is also a caravan park and camp site within the 4 acres of grounds for those who find it a struggle to get back home after a session. Despite the obvious plus points, I didn’t actually feel that overwhelmed by the place and it perhaps lacked any real charm or intimacy. It is certainly worth a visit although you will probably need am up to date SatNav to find it but ultimately it just lacked that bit of wow factor to make it a real classic.