Pub toasts CAMRA award success

Drinkers at a “stand-out” North Walsham pub are toasting a top award less than a year after its £100,000 revamp and reopening.

The Peasants’ Tavern has been named District Pub of the Year by the Norwich & District CAMRA (Campaign for Real Ale) branch.

Judges were impressed by the Market Street hostelry’s welcoming atmosphere, describing it as a top choice for locals, offering a selection of fine ales, local produce and friendly service. “The pub’s relaxed and stylish setting makes it a stand-out in North Walsham’s pub scene,” they commented.

Bar manager Charlie Holden said: “The whole team here were astounded and delighted to receive this recognition before we had even celebrated our first year’s anniversary. We have already managed to build a family of fantastic customers, who I’d like to thank wholeheartedly for all their support. Our team here are determined to keep working hard, offering excellent service, fantastic ales and a great community space for all.”

DELIGHTED: Bar manager Charlie Holden serves another pint. Also pictured is the front of the pub.

The pub marked the anniversary of last April’s opening with a three-day beer festival, with the turnout exceeding expectations as people came from far and wide to sample a number of guest beers from Norfolk and Suffolk microbreweries, some making ales especially for the occasion.

“We ran out of beer on the Sunday. We sold a lot more beer than I was expecting and I’m quite an optimistic chap,” said Charlie. “On the Friday and Saturday, it was standing room only for several hours. We saw people from all over – I didn’t realise the word had spread quite so far as it had.”

Since reopening, the pub has introduced an open mic night on the first Monday of each month, a monthly charity quiz night and regular Sunday afternoon acoustic sessions, but essentially it remains a venue where conversation is king. “It’s been an amazing time, it’s been astounding how the whole thing has built over the last 12 months,” said Charlie, adding: ”Our mainstay is really keeping local top-quality ales in the best condition that they can be.”

The historic building, which dates back to the mid-19th Century, was previously a slaughterhouse, wet fish shop, fish and chip shop and the Carpenters Arms and Mitre Tavern pubs. It underwent a major transformation in a project run by a handful of local people using local tradesmen and volunteer help from a “Taverners Army.”

Duncan Baker, North Norfolk MP at the time, opened the pub which takes its name from the Peasants’ Revolt of 1381. This was when hundreds of farmworkers were slain in the Battle of North Walsham against the Bishop of Norwich Henry le Despenser and his soldiers. One of the directors, Paul East, said the pub aimed to be a peaceful haven, describing it as “a traditional dog-friendly, quiet pub with real ales, craft beers and gins.”

To find out more visit the pub’s website and Facebook page by searching for Peasants’ Tavern.