A 17th-century Grade II traditional coaching inn full of original features and character. Entering through a room with a lovely staircase brings you to the bar with a beamed ceiling, panelled walls and large fireplaces. A good selection of ales is served. There is a restaurant, plenty of outside seating, and a separate function room that caters for parties and weddings. Accommodation is provided in 18 rooms, including family suites.
One star - A pub interior of special national historic interest
Listed status: II
A 17th-century coaching inn with a notable jettied area running to the rear. Before the 1950s, the main bar was actually three small rooms - an extensive refit included installation of wall panelling rescued from the now-demolished Didlington Hall. The large fireplace is genuinely ancient and a smaller curved one was added. The bar counter, made from old wooden barrels, is also from this period. A cabinet once served as a bar back but was replaced by new shelves in the late 1980s. One further change was the removal of the dark stain from the panelling to satisfy the vogue for lighter shades. Other rooms comprise a small dining room, a function room with vaulted ceiling, a modern bar which replaced one from the 1960s and, at the back, a Stable Restaurant.
Seventeenth century coaching inn with notable jettied area running to the rear. Unlike most similar old inns, the Crown still retains a bar with old fittings. Prior to the 1950s the main bar was actually 3 small rooms. An extensive refit in c.1955 involved the installation of wall panelling (rescued from Didlington Hall prior to its demolition); it retained the ancient large fireplace; added a smaller brick fireplace; and installed the bar counter made of old wooden barrel parts with two nearly complete casks - one at each end. There was a cabinet for a bar back which has since been removed and replaced by new shelves in the late 1980s. The only other change is the removal of the dark stain from the wood panelling to match the current vogue for bars with light pastel shades.
There was a lounge at the front of the building with a small counter but this was been converted to a bedroom in 2006. There is a small dining room; a function room with a vaulted ceiling, a modern bar which replaced a 1960/70s one and new dado panelling; and a Stable Restaurant at the rear which is open at weekends.
This Pub serves 2 changing beers and 2 regular beers.
Crown Hotel, Downham Market
Source: National