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Crown Hotel, Downham Market


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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. Often closes in January so best to check opening times.

Information for this venue is provided by the West Norfolk Branch of CAMRA
Previous Names
Local Authority
Last updated
05/02/2025
Last surveyed
05/02/2020
Leasehold owner
unknown
Freehold owner
unknown
Pub ID
KLN/181
Asset of Community Value

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.

General information about historic pub interiors

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.

General information about historic pub interiors
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Sunday
Noon - 9:00pm
Monday
11:00am - 11:00pm
Tuesday
11:00am - 11:00pm
Wednesday
11:00am - 11:00pm
Thursday
11:00am - 11:00pm
Friday
11:00am - 11:00pm
Saturday
11:00am - 11:00pm
Sunday
Noon - 3:00pm
Monday
No Service
Tuesday
No Service
Wednesday
No Service
Thursday
No Service
Friday
No Service
Saturday
No Service

Current beers

This Pub serves 2 changing beers and 2 regular beers.

Regular and recently seen
ABBOT ALE PUMP CLIP CLOSE UP
Greene King - Abbot

Premium Bitter

Dispense: Handpump
ABV: 5%
Vegan: No
Gluten Free: No

This beer is served regularly. Spotted twice

GREENE KING IPA PUMP CLIP FRONT
Greene King - IPA

Session Bitter

Dispense: Handpump
ABV: 3.4%
Vegan: No
Gluten Free: No

This beer is served regularly.

Source: National


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Facilities
Lunchtime Meals Lunchtime Meals
Evening Meals Evening Meals
Garden Garden
Parking Parking
Accommodation Accommodation
Function Room Function Room
Real Fire Real Fire
Restaurant Restaurant
Smoking Smoking
Wi Fi Wi Fi
Features
Real Ale Real Ale
Real Heritage Pub Real Heritage Pub
Quiet Quiet
Transport
Close to bus routes
All Downham routes
Adjacent station
Downham Market

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