The Kings Head -
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THE KINGS HEAD AT BAWBURGH, NEAR NORWICH, WAS ONE OF THE COUNTY’S FIRST GASTROPUBS. HOW’S IT GOING? WONDERS SARAH HARDY AS SHE PAYS A VISIT FOR A GIRLIE SUPPER
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www.kingsheadbawburgh.co.uk
BAWBURGH is one of those pretty little villages that are super popular. Close enough to the city to ensure you get the most out of its facilities, yet with its own charm and identity. Bawburgh is very pleasant indeed, with its round tower church, river, hump-back bridge and collection of attractive period properties. My kids grew up feeding the ducks on the village green and I was a regular at the 17th century Kings Head, owned by the well known Wimmer family. Now run by the son, Anton, and his wife Tet, it may well have lost its lovely bowling green to housing, but it is still a serious contender for those who love independent, family-run country pubs. There is character aplenty, with low beams, a huge Inglenook fireplace, woodburners, wooden tables and chairs, pantile, flag floors and more. The kitchen is now run by Jake, Tim and a dedicated team, whose menu continues its reliance on local produce, and now publishes its suppliers for all to see.
They include Norfolk Quail, Fielding Cottage cheese, Wayland Eggs, plus wholesalers such as Accent Fresh in Downham Market and Direct Seafood from Colchester. Herbs are listed as from Pam’s garden - Anton’s mum’s garden, to be precise! I booked my chum and myself in for supper one Friday and, as we swung into the car park, it appeared lots of others had had the same idea. Boy was it busy. There was some sort of a leaving do in one area of the bar which did get on my nerves (I’m sensitive, as you all know) but there’s not much a landlord can do. You need your locals - and I do like to see people still using pubs as a social place to have a post work drink or two. But they were a bit frisky and I had to speak up to be heard which isn’t a problem for me! The bar offers plenty of local beers - I saw many favourites such as Woodforde’s and Adnams, plus local artisan spirits like Black Shuck gin, but my friend and I kept it simple and ordered glasses of Pinot Grigio.