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Cambridge PuG Crawl, Friday 5th April 2024 with Gann on the Pub Forum

Compleat Angler, Norwich

120 Prince of Wales Road
Norwich
NR1 1NS
Phone: 01603622425

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Pub Type

Taylor Walker (Spirit Pubs)
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Reviews (Current Rating Average: of 10) Add Review see review guidelines


Steve C left this review about Compleat Angler

I found myself to be the only customer when I walked into the Compleat Angler at around 11:30 on a recent Friday morning. The televisions throughout had muted Sky Sports on and the background music was very loud for the time of day. The split-level L-shaped interior has a central L-shaped bar counter that supports five hand pumps down one side and another four across the other. This is a Grene King pub so Abbot Ale and IPA were available in addition to a more interesting selection of St Austell’s Tribute and Moon Gazer’s Racer and Pintail. Premium and craft keg were also available alongside Carling. My pint of Racer was good, but it was a short measure. I wasn’t so keen on the citrusy Pintail, but at least the measure was correct. There is a downstairs terrace with advertised dartboard and large screen, but this was closed off. Outside is a lean-to extension and seating that runs along the terrace overlooking the River Wensum. The location near the station dictates that I may visit this pub again, but I’ll not be going out of my way.

On 24th April 2023 - rating: 6
[User has posted 5178 recommendations about 5147 pubs]


Steve of N21 left this review about Compleat Angler

I agree with the others that despite being a Green King pub this one has a few positives. Firstly it’s in a handy location, being one of the closest to the train station and within a short stroll of bus stops enabling you to get to other parts of the city. Secondly it has a river side location and sports a fine riverside terrace, the majority of which is undercover. And thirdly, despite being GK owned there was a decent ale range on and the usual GK IPA and Abbot were complemented by St Austell Tribute and two from the Norfolk Brewhouse Stargazer range in the shape of Pintail and Racer Pale Ales. I went for the gluten free Pintail option and it was pleasant and well kept.
For me what wasn’t so positive was actually the internal space. Two rooms, both of which are a bit corporate and sterile, both of which are dominated by large TV screens which at 12 noon on a Friday were showing football highlights that nobody was interested in. They were however muted, but primarily because a loud soundtrack was being pumped out of the speakers, to a largely empty pub.
It can accommodate a large amount of bodies, both inside and outside, so it’s no surprise it is a popular pub on match days, especially given its proximity to Carrow Road, but given the sheer volume of pubs with character this city has to offer I cannot see myself returning to this one on a return trip to Norwich

On 17th April 2023 - rating: 6
[User has posted 2094 recommendations about 1985 pubs]


Tris C left this review about Compleat Angler

The closest pub to the station, this is a somewhat modernised Greene King outlet; I didn’t buy a drink; I try not to in a GK house, the hour having barely passed midday. If you want a final stop before getting the train, this is probably your best bet.

On 16th April 2023 - rating: 5
[User has posted 1955 recommendations about 1922 pubs]


Real Ale Ray left this review about Compleat Angler

Quite handy for refreshment after a two hour train journey and in sight from Norwich Railway Station. I popped in here on arrival to Norwich and went for the Moon Gazer Racer which hit the spot. The young barmaid was friendly and chatty and was passionate about their cask ales. She informed me the turnaround of their guest beers was one to two days and how they take great care of the beers. Lots of screens around the bar areas if you're in to watch a match.

On 16th April 2023 - rating: 6
[User has posted 3376 recommendations about 3376 pubs]


Bucking Fastard left this review about Compleat Angler

Situated close to the bridge over the River Wensum and opposite to the station,this was the start of the PuG crawl.There is a small outside terrace overlooking the river. It's tied to Greene King but probably a "local hero" lease whereby they can offer as many guests as the have GK ales on ,which on our trip meant GK IPA and Abbot was offset by Moongazer Pintail and Racer (NBSS 2.5).The interior is L shaped but is dominated by flatscreens and has a sports bar feel.The barmaids were friendly enough,but apart from the convenient location,I couldnt find anything here to warrant another visit.I had been warned it gets heaving before Norwich City home games with away fans.There are far better real ale options not too distant.

On 16th April 2023 - rating: 6
[User has posted 2709 recommendations about 2709 pubs]


Please Note: This review is over a year old.


Will Larter left this review about Compleat Angler

A large riverside pub, a short walk from the station, and with a terrace beside the river that can get busy in fine weather and closes at dusk. Internally the pub still has identifiable rooms but has been opened out to some extent. It is nicely presented, with an attractive bar counter featuring five hand pumps. Greene King IPA and Abbot are joined by St Austell Tribute and two local beers. At the time of my visit these were Green Jack Golden Best and Moon Gazer Ten Candles, a birthday special. I went for the last named and it was in very good condition. Service was friendly and helpful, with the offer of a taster followed by a discussion of beer flavours (why we like sweet or bitter, and so on). Obviously I caught the pub at a quiet time, as I have been past here when the football is on at Carrow Road and it's been full to bursting. I enjoyed my visit here - I was pleasantly surprised.

Date of visit: 21st March 2022

On 2nd July 2022 - rating: 7
[User has posted 3699 recommendations about 3440 pubs]


Please Note: This review is over a year old.


Graham Coombs left this review about Compleat Angler

A large town pub by the bridge outside the station with a reasonably traditional feel and a nice terrace outside overlooking the river. The walls are mainly decorated in a strange mixture of postage stamp wallpaper and imitation bookshelves, but it somehow works. A few large Sports TVs are strategically located but can be avoided. The main draw however is an excellent range of beers, with up to 10 on handpump including many local brews. At time of visit these included Earl Soham Albert and Gold, Humpty Dumpty Branch Line Bitter, Moon Gazer Nibbler, Green Jack LGM1 and Woodforde Wherry. Cask Marque accredited.

On 11th April 2019 - rating: 8
[User has posted 3321 recommendations about 3258 pubs]


Please Note: This review is over a year old.


Just a quick pint, then I'm off left this review about Compleat Angler

Riverside Greene King pub near the station with a small side terrace overlooking the Wensum. The interior has been partially opened-out at some stage, leaving several seating / dining areas in an overall 'L'-shape - all given a corporate, faux-traditional makeover. Having said that, there is usually a reasonable selection of real ales available from six of handpumps, and on this visit I found Tribute, Otter Amber, Bure Gold and Nelson's Revenge from Woodfoorde's and Humpty Dumpty Swallowtail (£3.80) in addition to the inevitable IPA.

On 18th February 2018 - rating: 7
[User has posted 8061 recommendations about 8061 pubs]


Please Note: This review is over a year old.


Pub SignMan left this review about The Compleat Angler

This is a large riverside pub and also one of the first pubs you'll encounter if arriving into Norwich by train. You enter into a bare boarded space with an upright piano to your right where the pub extends some way towards the rear. A nice dark wood servery and bar back makes a good impression on arrival, although I got the impression that these were comparatively recent additions. There is a lot of vertical drinking space to the right with the odd high table and stool combination, although this gives way to a conservatory style space which has been carpeted and furnished with comfy button backed banquettes. There were a lot of flags from all over the world on the ceiling here and a few slot machines quietly flashed away around the margins. To the left of the bar is a more conventional pubby space with a mix of bench, high stool and standard chair seating in an area decorated with bookcase and stamp motif wallpaper. More flags were on show here, including in bunting format and there were several large screens throughout the whole pub showing live sports coverage whilst pop music blared out of the speakers. Arriving in the hours of darkness, I was only able to get a vague sense of the outdoor seating options, but the riverside seating certainly looked like a good bet for a pleasant day and the pub seems to have done a decent job of making the most of this feature. Stairs lead down to a restaurant/function room that I didn't get to explore and the pub is one of the recommended venues for away fans attending matches at nearby Carrow Road.
I wasn't expecting too much on the ale front from, what I assumed would be, a standard station/football pub, but there were four interesting options on handpull - Tyne Bank Pacifica, Greene King USA, Roosters Yankee and Sadler's One Stop Hop. My pint of Pacifica was in fine condition and having arrived at a time when most of the football crowd had dispersed, I found the place a relaxing spot for a quick pint.
This was a bit of a wildcard, having found myself with time to spare before my train home and I'm glad I gave the pub a chance. It is probably best avoided on match days but I can imagine having a good pint or two on a summer's day by the river and would suggest this works well as a good first or last pub of the day for anyone visiting by rail.

On 15th November 2015 - rating: 7
[User has posted 3102 recommendations about 3102 pubs]


Please Note: This review is over a year old.


Gill Smith left this review about The Compleat Angler

We were early for our train so decided to have a meal and drink here but we were disappointed. The Adnams Explorer was hazy. Menu was attractive and reasonable too, but I'm afraid I had to leave the unchewable beef on my dinner, although the rest of the meals were fine. Lovely sitting on the balcony outside by the river.

On 4th May 2013 - rating: 5
[User has posted 1339 recommendations about 1222 pubs]

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