No.40 - The Swan, Stalham, Norfolk

Saturday 5th November, 2011
A 10 minute drive on from Martham is another nice looking small village named Stalham and it is here that you can find The Swan. We arrived at about 4.15pm in the slight drizzle, just as the village high street was starting to calm down, which is a good job as the front door of the pub literally opens up onto the main road.
Although not as 'pub looking' as the previous pub we had just visited, there was little doubt that again once you were inside it had all the hallmarks of an Adnams pub. Walls decked with Adnams memorabilia and the bar full of Adnams pumps - 5 in all - Broadside, Bitter, Spindrift, Ghostship and NZ pale ale.
Before taking a little nose around the place I introduced myself to Ben and Elaine who owned the place. I had previously emailed Ben that we were coming so it was nice to have a natter with the Landlord and he wished us all the best for our travels. I think he thought we were doing all the Adnams pubs in one weekend !!
The lounge bar, which is where we stood and drank, was very new looking and very smart. It was warm and comfortable which made it a bar you'd be happy to sit in all evening watching the Stalham night life stroll by. Adjoined to the lounge bar was the very newly refurbed 'Mochachino' room. A room especially set up for the discerning coffee drinker - which I'm glad to say none of us were.
I did manage to pop out the back to view the garden, which you won't be surprised to hear was empty on a dank, dark Saturday teatime, to find a nicely sized courtyard area. Again, given a barmy summer evening I would imagine it gets pretty lively out there.
And finally, before we made tracks, it was the moment that young Lewis had been patiently waiting for all afternoon - the filling of the flagon !! We plumped for NZ Pale Ale, as we'd had Ghostship and Broadside back at the house. The proud owner of the now full flagon carried our prize home, which was duly finished off with our fish and chip supper. Where next year I ask ?